Tips for Staying on Top of the Pile
My husband recently complained that I talk too much about laundry.
I wash it.
I dry it.
I put it away.
And yes, maybe I mention it now and then. Maybe a lot.
But MAYBE—just maybe—that’s because I’m the one actually doing it. The rest of the household just magically wakes up to clean underwear on Monday mornings like it’s delivered by laundry fairies.
So, how to streamline this never-ending cycle of fabric responsibility? Here’s my imperfect but realistic approach:
🧺 Tip 1: Everyone Is Responsible for Their Own Clothes
How?
Simple (in theory):
Make them do it.
And if they won’t? Don’t do it for them either.
Yes, I work fewer (paid) hours than my husband, but that doesn’t mean I should take on all the laundry joy. And it would be really nice if both my husband and son didn’t make it harder by sowing socks like they could grow.
A few weeks ago, my husband decided to Konmari his side of the wardrobe and since then, his space is spotless – like a tiny minimalist boutique.
It’s interesting how being part of the process makes you more aware of the effort it takes… and a little more careful, too.
🎨 Tip 2: Sort as You Go
We have two laundry baskets:
- One for colours
- One for whites
both placed by the washing machine because I’m not picking up clothes in the bedrooms and so far so good.
My sister even added a third one just for underwear after facing one too many solo sock tragedies.
Obviously adapt the basket to your situation: very dirty clothes basket, sport gear basket, fancy underwear… I have a side one in my wardrobe for vintage jumpers that need to be hand washed. This one is on me. I love my jumpers.
Same applies when you pick up the laundry from the line or take it out of the machine: sort it by owner right away. It saves time, avoids confusion, and helps everyone take responsibility for their own pile.
Speaking of socks:
I have a friend who has never lost a sock in her life.
Let that sink in.
No single sock pile waiting for its soulmate.
I don’t know whether to admire her or stage an intervention.
🧼 Tip 3: Don’t Iron (and Don’t Invite Wrinkles Into Your Life)
Seriously. Just don’t.
Okay—maybe sometimes. But in this house, we both work from home, so let’s just say our outfits are… relaxed —on the verge of “don’t answer the door in that.
When I do have to iron, for some kind of special event, I usually do the whole batch of shirts or linen pants that are trying their best to become modern origami in the wardrobe.
I iron so rarely that the first time I pulled out the ironing board in front of him, my son asked if it was a surfboard.
But here’s a secret weapon: don’t buy wrinkle-prone clothes in the first place. Revolutionary, I know.
Wrinkle-prone = high maintenance.
And let’s be honest—you’re not dating your wardrobe, so keep it low effort.
Also, we line-dry everything. Once it’s folded, it’s good enough. Good enough is the motto here.
🌀 Tip 4: Not Everything Needs to Be Washed After One Wear
Let’s be honest—most things don’t need a full wash every single time you wear them. Obviously, the little ones tend to live life with maximum mess, but your jeans?
They’re probably still fine after a week.
And a bit of spot-washing can go a long way.
Less laundry means less work and your clothes (and their colours) will last longer.
and—bonus—your electricity bill gets a little break too.
Win-win-win.
🧺 Tip 5: Pick a Laundry Day (or Two)—Then Let It Go
Instead of letting laundry hover over your week like a damp cloud, schedule it. Pick one or two dedicated days for laundry, and forget about it the rest of the time.
Maybe Mondays and Thursdays are wash days. The rest of the week? Laundry does not exist. You are free. Mentally, emotionally, spiritually.
No more “should I do a load today?” every time you walk past the basket.
And if someone runs out of socks on a Saturday?
They can either wear mismatched ones or… you guessed it—do it themselves.
That’s it. Laundry won’t ever be fun—but with a little boundary-setting, basket strategy, and a strict no-ironing policy, it doesn’t have to eat your soul either.
And if anyone asks you why you talk about laundry so much?
Ask them where their clean socks came from. Then walk away dramatically.
What are you tips to make your laundry routine simpler ?