Easy Laundry Folding Hacks for a Better Routine
Have you ever had piles of clean laundry in baskets or maybe even on a piece of furniture that you have just left for days? Does the growing laundry pile cause more and more stress as it just sits there waiting to be folded? Trust me, you’re not alone! Laundry has to be my LEAST favorite chore. It just never ends!
Why does laundry build up?
It seems like throwing laundry into the washer and moving it to the dryer is so simple. So why is folding it and putting it away such a chore? For me personally, I dislike how tedious folding laundry can be. It just takes time that I don’t want to give, to such a mundane and boring task. And because it is a task many of us loathe, it can build up rather quickly.
You’ll have to let me know in the comments what your laundry schedule looks like. Below you’ll find my incredibly simple laundry routine that has kept me from building up a pile of laundry that’s just waiting to be folded.
Do a load a day
Try throwing in a load of laundry every day. Start in the morning by throwing a load in the washing machine. I try to make sure I intentionally go to the laundry room and rotate the laundry from the washer to the dryer before lunch. Once it’s done, I throw it in a basket and fold it right away. Folding one basket of laundry takes just a few minutes! I have committed to doing a load a day and it has made a huge difference!
Make it fun!
You’re probably sitting there reading this just shaking your head thinking, “How could laundry ever be fun?!” Before you call me crazy, just hear me out.
I have started reserving just a little time during my boys’ quiet time to fold that one basket of laundry. During this time I turn on music, a podcast, an audio book, or even an episode of a show. I have turned something I loathe into a little “me time” and it is now something I actually look forward to. Allowing myself to do something I enjoy while folding laundry, has helped create a habit that I have been able to stay on top of. And…if I hurry and finish folding that basket of laundry before my boys’ quiet time is over, then I might just get to enjoy a cup of coffee in peace too! 🙂
Choose a designated folding area
Having a clean and organized space to fold your laundry makes it easier. This might look like a table in your laundry room, your bed, dining room table, etc. I usually just use our couch. Eventually we will get to that laundry room remodel and I will have a beautiful table to fold my clean clothes on. But let’s face it, there’s currently more important things we need to remodel right now. So it’ll have to wait. But truthfully, I don’t mind folding at the couch. I have plenty of space to organize the folded clothes. The TV is in the room if I decide I want to watch a show while I fold. And the coffee maker is right in the kitchen if I have extra time to enjoy a cup of coffee after the laundry.
Put that laundry away!
I’m saying this from experience, put that laundry away as soon as it’s folded. For some reason, putting laundry away can be just as annoying as folding it. And, if you leave it sitting in the basket, someone is going to unfold it! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve spent time folding laundry only to move onto the next thing and realize five minutes later my boys have dumped the laundry out to use the basket as a rocket ship. So, I encourage you to put away the clothes as soon as you’ve folded them! Or, if your kiddos are old enough enlist them in putting their own laundry away…and even the hubby. Laundry can be a team effort!
You’ve got this!
I encourage you (no matter what the task), create a way to make that task enjoyable. Homemaking can be so very exhausting and at times super boring, but it doesn’t always have to be. Try to find joy in every area of your life, even in housekeeping. You’ve got this, beautiful mama!
