The laundry routine doesn’t have to be done by you alone.
Close your eyes. Imagine your perfect world. We assume laundry would not exist. It’s a task that many of us dread, but we’re hoping to make it a little less stressful. Planning a little bit ahead can save you a majority of stress later. No more last-minute loads and overwhelming piles of laundry.
Cleaning expert Briana Lybbert, from This Messie Life, shared her secrets to a stress-free laundry routine that practically runs itself.
The Three S’s: System, Structure, and Space
“Laundry is hard,” Briana acknowledged. “It’s just one of those pain points for everybody.” But she believes that with the right approach, it can become manageable.
System
“Everyone’s system is going to be a little bit unique for their family depending on how many kids, ages of kids,” Briana emphasized.
She suggested starting with one load in the morning: “One load a day keeps insanity at bay.” This helps prevent the buildup of laundry and makes it part of the daily routine rather than a dreaded chore.
The next step is to remember to switch your load to the dryer. “Set another timer or a reminder on your phone for when you’ll be home,” Briana advised. This will prevent you from forgetting about the laundry and dealing with mildew.
The third part of your system is folding and putting away. “ In a perfect world, we’re going to pull it out right away while it’s still warm, shake it out, fold it and put it away,” Briana said. “I don’t live in that perfect world. For me, it has to be done in the evening.” Find the time that works for your routine. This step leads us to the next ‘S’:
Structure
Structure involves investing time in your family to make sure everyone knows their part. “ Mom does not want to pull that wagon all by herself all the time, and you can’t,” Briana emphasized.
She advised teaching children to put away their clothes and make their beds first thing in the morning. “Do not come down unless your clothes are put away and your bed is done,” she said. This helps distribute the workload and teaches responsibility.
Briana also said you need to let go of a little control. “ You have to let go a little…. My husband doesn’t fold things the way I like to. I just ignore it. It’s okay. It’s done. It’s one less thing,” she emphasized.
Space
Creating a positive space for doing laundry can make it more enjoyable. Briana suggested making your laundry room a place you love. “Keep it clean, beautify it, paint it, put a painting on the wall,” she recommended.
Associating something positive with folding laundry, like watching a favorite show or enjoying a treat, can also help make the task less tedious. “Whatever it is that you have to do to make this associated with something positive so it’s fun and not just torture time,” Briana emphasized.
Understanding Laundry Labels
Briana also broke down common laundry labels:
- An open triangle means bleach safe.
- A triangle with two side stripes means color-safe bleach.
- A triangle with an X means no bleach.
Find more cleaning solutions from Briana, at thismessielife.com, or follow her on Instagram, @thismessielife.
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