All of us, no matter the size of our family, more than likely feel we never get to the bottom of our pile of laundry. We may catch up for a very brief amount of time but then “snap” it’s piled up again. You may even feel that the bottom of your hamper is one of the seven wonders of the world! Large families feel the laundry pain more than others. Getting the laundry under control and keeping it manageable is a matter of establishing really good routines and practices. There are some really good tips for doing so and we are going to offer up some today.
Laundry Tips | Coin-op Laundry Raleigh NC
One of the best tips for eliminating odors that come from clothing not getting washed regularly or from being slightly damp from sports activities is white vinegar. White vinegar is a secret most moms of all generations rely on. It is great for tough smells and to strip diapers of detergent residue. That residue keeps cloth diapers from absorbing as well as they should. In our regular laundry this can happen also. Children who are mostly potty trained sometimes have accidents overnight. Then you have smelly linens and bed clothing. Just like diapers detergents and fabric softeners bind with the fibers on our clothes. This keeps them from getting clean and sweet smelling. Try adding detergent to your dispenser as normal but then add white vinegar to the fabric softener cup. Just use the same amount you normally would. Run the cycle as normal and then repeat-running two full cycles with the detergent and vinegar. You can then run a regular cycle with detergent and fabric softener to get them smelling great again.
Mesh Laundry Bags | Coin-op Laundry Raleigh NC
One really neat trick for sock sorting is to purchase white mesh laundry bags that zip. These can be found at most big box stores. Assign one to each family member and have them put their socks into it as they wear them. Be sure to code each in some way so you know who’s is who’s. Simply toss and wash then dry. Each person gets theirs back and can sort and put away.
Towels
Bath towels are another area where things can get quickly out of hand in a larger family. We all like nice bath linens but have you ever thought about how many you really need? Technically the rule is two per person. One to use and one being washed. Most of us have way more than that. In a larger family household this can contribute to many more loads of laundry that is needed. Families that are larger have tried the one per person rule. One bath towel, one hand towel, and one washcloth per person. These “sets” are laundered once a week and returned to the bathroom. You could keep a few extras tucked away in case there is a towel emergency for whatever reason. You also can always keep a pretty set in the linen closet for when you are entertaining company.
Treating Stains | Coin-op Laundry Raleigh NC
The best non-negotiable tip we have for larger and even smaller families is stains must be pointed out and treated quickly. In a larger family stains can become a really big problem if this is not taken care of. The longer a stain sits the harder it will be to get it out. This will result in costly wardrobe replacement. Either you must treat these yourself or do a really great job teaching your children to do it themselves.
Our never ending laundry chore is one of those things we just have to get done. Putting together a good schedule and routine will help especially in a larger family. Next blog we will address how to develop a good schedule for all the family members. Laundry Express is here to help you with any of your laundry needs. We offer wash, dry, fold services to help you get control and save time and energy so you can enjoy other things. Check us out today!
