Even though I am generally organized, laundry has proven to be a repetitive hurdle for me—one that I’m sure many can relate to! It seems like no matter how much I wash, the laundry pile never disappears. So, in a bid to finally tackle this tedious task, I’ve searched for viable solutions.

I’ve experimented with numerous laundry schedules, the latest being assigning each family member a designated day. My hope was that by doing 1-2 loads each day, I could maintain control over the chaos.

However, the truth is that my kids often forget their assigned days (despite having a handy whiteboard calendar!). When they do bring down their clothes, it’s either on the wrong day or at a last-minute hour when they urgently need something clean for the next day. This chaos leaves me scrambling to catch up. Often, I also forget that I’ve started a load, leading to smelly clothes that require a second wash, adding to my laundry delays. It feels like an endless cycle.

There has to be a better way to manage this.

I consider my audience, and I realize not everyone is organized, which is why they seek solutions for managing their households. Many of the cleaning methods we recommend can be challenging to follow. I always aim to suggest strategies that can work for everyone. My husband, for instance, has significantly improved his organizational skills and appreciates the joy of a tidy home, yet laundry still causes us stress.

Our Laundry Solution

So when my husband discovered Dana K. White’s book “How to Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind,” he was thrilled! Intrigued but doubtful, I was skeptical about whether it could help me. Dana describes herself as a ‘slob’ and claims her book caters to people who struggle with organization. I assumed it wasn’t for someone like me. However, after Ryan began listening, he became convinced that her approach was transformative. He insisted I listen to the chapters dealing with laundry and dishes—my two biggest challenges.

Well, ‘game-changer’ actually undersells her strategies! I cannot believe it—I have overcome my laundry challenges! I manage laundry for my family of five kids and one husband. As I write this on a Monday afternoon, I have completed the week’s laundry—no more until next Monday!

You might think I’m exaggerating, but you really need to try this out! It’s not complicated; however, commitment over a few weeks is essential for the technique to take effect. Let me explain what I did based on her suggestions.

Choose a Laundry Day

Initially, you might find this frustrating. Dana recommends setting one dedicated laundry day per week—a single day for all your laundry needs.

Just as you might clean the bathrooms or mop floors on certain days, I opted for Mondays. This was a practical choice since we are usually at home that day. And to kickstart the routine, I requested everyone to bring down all their dirty laundry on Sunday. There was so much!

The First Week

The laundry room overflowed, and I felt overwhelmed but remained determined. I initiated my first load on Sunday night to have it ready for Monday morning.

Monday transformed into an all-day laundry affair. I followed Dana’s guide to fold clothes straight out of the dryer and stored them immediately in their respective places. Initially, I hesitated at this step, believing it would be more efficient to leave them in a basket. But I soon learned, the piling method leads to prolonged disruptions where laundry sits unfolded for days!

Importantly, I made a commitment to avoid adding any new clothes to the laundry room until the next week. All dirty items should immediately go into hampers for the subsequent laundry day. Tuesday continued with laundry and by Wednesday afternoon, I had conquered all loads. Seven people, two and a half days of laundry, and my laundry room was clear!

The Second Week

Here’s the key: I made sure to do the laundry on the set day, even if I’d spent the entire previous week working on the first one. I waited eagerly for the next Monday, expecting to see some progress. Following the first week, I anticipated fewer clothes and cleaner space.

Everyone brought their laundry down, and immediately I noticed significantly less clutter than the week before. I started loading clothes excitedly and maintained the routine of immediate folding and putting away. Monday was done, and I completed my laundry early!

The Third Week

Week three rolled in the same way: everyone contributed laundry on Sunday, I started a few loads Sunday night, and by Monday afternoon, I was done again! It felt miraculous to not have to think about laundry for the next six days—what a relief!

I now look forward to “laundry day” because I can finish in one day and completely eliminate the stress surrounding this task that was once never-ending.

Try This Laundry Method for Yourself

Join me and give this method a go! I assure you, it won’t disappoint, and you might just conquer your laundry once and for all! If you have questions or wish to download the handy checklist, subscribe below to access free printables.

This approach has not only simplified my laundry routine, but also assisted my family in managing dishes thanks to Dana’s guidance. I never thought I would reach a stage where laundry and dishes in a household of seven would feel manageable!