Simple Effects Top 10 Essentials for an Organized Home #7: A System for Laundry
If you have implemented # 6 on the list, "Closet Organizers" then your clean clothes will now be well organized in your closets.
That brings us to the #7 essential for an organized home which is a system for organizing your laundry.
image from interior design
This can be as simple or as elaborate as you’d like it to be, but the key is that it functions well for you and your entire family.
The basic requirement for dirty clothes is a designated place to contain them until wash day. This goes for items that need to be drycleaned as well.
And, it is also helpful to have a workable system in place for sorting, folding, ironing, and re-storing your laundry.
Let’s begin with the collection of laundry — which traditionally is placed in a hamper.
Hampers today take on all sorts of shapes and sizes and are made from all kinds of materials.
In this picture there are a couple of options shown. The laundry bags, hanging on the back of the door, and the wicker hampers.
image from http://4.bp.blogspot.com
If you have a walk-in closet, a built-in clothes hamper is an option. These can work well in bathroom cabinets as well.
Labeled Hampers allow others in the family to help pre-sort the laundry for you.
image from HGTV.com
Plastic Laundry baskets make it easy to replace folded clothes into the basket for returning the laundry to its owner. You can choose a different color for each member of the family.
Use individual laundry bags if you take your laundry out for washing.
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A sturdy bag works well for items that need to be taken to the drycleaner.
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You may choose one of two systems for collecting your household laundry. You could have everyone take their laundry to a central location (laundry room or multi-hamper system set up in the hallway).
Or place a hamper in each bedroom and the bathroom for local collection.
image from http://lasoomedia1.com.
A "full" hamper is a signal that a load of laundry needs to be done. In busy households, this will probably require at least one load of wash per day. If you teach each family member to do his/her own laundry, then you may want to assign a day of the week when they have exclusive use of the washer/dryer.
Smaller households and apartment dwellers may be able to set aside one day/week to do laundry. And don’t forget to choose a day for bedding and linens to be laundered.
Once a load of laundry is completed, it will need to be hung or folded. Some items may require ironing. Ideally your laundry room should be able to accomodate these tasks.
image from furnishism.com
For smaller laundry rooms, a hamper with a shelf provides a place to fold your laundry.
image from pointclickhome.com
A wall-mounted ironing board folds away nicely when done.
Or choose an all-in-one moving laundry system.
Even if your laundry room is in your kitchen, make sure you have all the products you need to get the job done.
image from Southern Living.com
There’s no "perfect" laundry system. It’s what works best for you an your household. But you will need:
1. A way to collect and contain your dirty laundry.
2. A method for sorting your laundry.
2. A schedule and plan for getting the laundry done.
3. A place to iron/ fold/hang your completed laundry.
4. And a plan for returning your clean laundry to the places it belongs.
These 4 steps comprise a laundry system that is essential to an organized home.
And Remember,
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Joan – with 3 kids, I found a laundry basket worked well in each child’s room. This came about when soccer day came and I forgot to get the laundry done in time. It also helped teach them responsibility as well. Plus no one got the wrong sized soccer socks. I sure do wish I have the lovely space as shown in the great photos you’ve provided. Thanks for sharing.