Simple Balance Household & Laundry I
I’m on a roll so here’s the first tip. Although it may not appear so, it is a lesson in itself that this is the first area to have a post on sharing a simple balance tip. Why you ask? Because it took every fiber of my being to not begin in my beloved area of organization. And why wouldn’t I start there you ask? Because I’ve learned the hard way that while organization is key and wonderful, when starting something the best jolt is to get started! Organizers can fall into a trap of spending all their time and energy planning instead of acting. So I’m sharing my first tip in an area where application is readily attainable and rewarding. (*see* how I’m slowly learning balance in my life?)
Laundry Tip: Sorting Simplicity
Don’t waste time sorting. Implement a sorting system that works at the hamper level. Currently I use a 3 mesh bag sorter, that I bought under $15.00 at my local WalMart. There is a white bag for whites, a colored back for darks and a colored bag for lights.
The beauty of this system is two fold - 1) it saves me valuable time and 2) I’m teaching my family some laundry fundamentals. (Did you see how the balance just snuck in there?! I’m doing necessary housework and I’m being a good parent!)
Not only does this save time sorting, but the ease of having the laundry bagged and easily transported to the washer is also a big help.
Thanks to posting this, I went up to take pictures, brought the laundry down to do two loads and the first is already halfway finished. All in the short time it took to write this tip. Now if it were only so easy to fold and put away!!
If the only change you make is to get a separate hamper for your whites you’ll find an amazing save on time and energy. You’ll also feel the boost of a system that works for you instead of the other way around. The confidence will bleed over into other areas too. And it all started with the most amazingly simple thing!
More on Simple Balance: Introduction, Overview
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Nice, easy, excellent tip. We did the light/dark/white system when we had the twins because sorting that many baby clothes would have been insanity.
Comment by Mike — September 20, 2006 @ 11:23 am
We do this, too, although we have a hamper for whites, one for colors, and one for towels. I like the idea of having one for dark colors and one for light colors since I wash them separately as well. Hmmm…..
Now to figure out how to organize my computer room!
Comment by Laura Bybee — September 20, 2006 @ 2:26 pm
Great tip! I couldn’t live without my three hampers for our clothes. In fact, we have the three hamper system in our room and separate hampers in the laundry room for towels and linens, and baby clothes. It saves me so much time and makes it so much easier to just run in the laundry room and throw in a quick load. Thanks for sharing. Can’t wait to read more of your tips.
Comment by Tasra Dawson — September 20, 2006 @ 3:25 pm
Thanks for commenting everyone! I’m getting really excited now about sharing my “daily mundane” tips! ;o)
Hugs,
Holly
Comment by holly.schwendiman — September 20, 2006 @ 3:41 pm
Well, I guess I’m a “Slacker Mom” b/c I sort a *bit* differently.
I sort by person.
I have found that fabrics today are remarkably colorsafe — so I do one wash for me, then one for my husband, one for my son and one for my daughter. This way I don’t have to sort again after the dryer — I just take the clean clothes to the appropriate room. I haven’t ruined anything yet! Occasionally I’ll do a load of whites to brighten things…but that’s about it.
Comment by Sarah Zeldman — September 20, 2006 @ 4:20 pm
Hi Sarah,
I wouldn’t call that slacker I would call that innovative sorting. The end result is the same because you found a way to streamline sorting tasks in a way that works for you. Bravo!! Thanks for sharing!
Hugs,
Holly
Comment by holly.schwendiman — September 20, 2006 @ 4:28 pm
We sort kinda by person too. My almost 9 year old and my 6 year old (with very little real help from the enthusiastic 3 year old LOL) all sort their clothes and the baby’s clothes. They do such a great job and I heap praise on them! Great kids… ANYWAY, I take what they’ve sorted downstairs and wash/dry them and bring them back up for them to fold and (with help) put away.
Their folding at this point is almost the equivalent of rolling it into a ball (snicker) but I can handle that and they get better every time. Then I just have to wash/dry/fold mine and hubby’s (and straighten their drawers afterwards. It’s nice… Plus, it keeps them busy and not watching TV or building forts all over the house (don’t ask).
I LOVE your pdf jungle thingy. Lots of work girl!
Comment by Robyn Tippins — September 20, 2006 @ 7:10 pm
I love your tips… he have a 2 bag sorter for whites and darks and I love it!!
Aurelia
Comment by Aurelia — September 21, 2006 @ 10:39 am
Love your blog! And this idea is great! We don’t have room in our tiny closets for this hamper..but I do recommend it to clients. We have to sort…but I keep four laundry baskets for quick sorting in the basement (it’s finished) where I have a pretty big laundry room. I also have a husband who hates the way I fold…so he does the laundry! I know I’m crazy lucky…but if you can swing not doing laundry yourself…I highly recommend it. Teach the kids, or take it to a laundry that has a wash and fold service whatever. If you work and can afford it - it’s well worth it! That’s what I used to do before I got married! : ) I would skip out on eating out or whatever to afford it. Here in NJ it was only $20-30$ every 2 weeks. And they provided the cleaning supplies too!
Comment by Ariane Benefit from Neat Living — October 4, 2006 @ 6:03 am