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Laundry Hacks for Big Families in Australia: 8 Incredible Tips
Are mountains of all the dirty clothes a common sight in your big family's Australian home.
Cut through the clutter with 8 awesome hacks for big households in Australia.
This no-nonsense guide will give you the practical solutions you need...
...such as assigning individual loads of laundry to hampers and maximising washing machine efficiency without any fluff.
Cast aside the complexities of laundry day with these direct, time-saving strategies that speak to the Australian way of life.
Dive straight into an improved laundry routine today.
Short Summary
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Use individual colour-coded laundry hampers and central hubs to streamline sorting and management of laundry.
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Schedule specific laundry days to handle the volume more efficiently and maintain regularity.
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Use efficient washer settings, streamline drying/ironing, organise your closet, pre-treat stains, and use multipurpose detergents to save time.
Topics in This Article:
Assign Each Family Member a Personal Laundry Hamper
Let's start with the basics: organisation. Imagine the chaos if everyone's dirty clothes were mixed in one giant pile.
Not only would sorting too many clothes be a nightmare, but you'd have to play detective to return the clean clothes to their rightful owners.
This is where individual laundry hampers come in.
Providing each family member their own laundry hamper ensures dirty clothes stay organised and ready for efficient collection.
This simple trick can ease the sorting and returning of clean clothes for younger kids, as successfully done by a family with six children.
Uniformity doesn't have to be boring, though.
Make it fun by using a colour-coded system for sorting.
This way, each family member, even the little ones, can easily recognise their laundry hamper.
It's a win-win situation: your kids learn responsibility, and you get a helping hand in managing all the laundry.
Colour-Coded System for Sorting Dirty Clothes
Ever played the game ‘find the missing sock'?
It's not as fun as it sounds.
A colour-coded system can save you from this hide-and-seek game.
Increasing efficiency in sorting and managing laundry tasks in large families is possible by using...
...a different colour laundry basket for each laundry group or family member.
It's like having a laundry GPS; you always know where each pile of clean laundry should go.
In a young family of eight with six kids, each child is assigned a specific laundry day...
...with each person having their own colour-coded laundry basket for easy identification.
So, whether it's Ruby Tuesday or Sapphire Saturday, everyone knows when it's their turn to do their laundry.
Laundry Room Location Strategy
Now that you have your colour-coded, personal laundry hampers, where do you put them?
The answer is simple: In a central location, like your laundry room.
A hub for laundry supplies and hampers, centrally located, grants easy access and convenience in managing laundry.
Think of it as a laundry command center, where all the action happens.
A central cubby hub with labeled baskets on open shelves can effectively organise all hampers in one place for large families.
Not only will this save you precious time, but it will also keep your house clutter-free.
After all, who wants to trip over a stray laundry basket in the middle of the hallway?
Schedule Specific Days to Clean Clothes
A large family means a large volume of dirty laundry.
And with different types of laundry needs – school uniforms, workout clothes, bed linens – it can quickly get overwhelming.
The solution?
Schedule specific laundry days.
Large families can manage the volume of laundry and ensure regular task completion with this simple, yet effective strategy.
For instance, some families with six or more children assign laundry tasks by the days of the week...
...focusing on different laundry types such as diapers, whites, and towels on separate days.
This way, you're not trying to wash everything at once, and you can focus on getting each type of laundry done properly.
And hey, don't forget to schedule a rest day.
After all, even laundry needs a break!
Create a Laundry Calendar
A laundry calendar can be a game-changer for large families.
It helps organise specific days for different types of laundry needs, ensuring that nothing gets overlooked.
And with today's technology, creating a laundry calendar has never been easier.
Several apps that can be adapted for laundry scheduling include:
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OurHome
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Google Calendar
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Cozi
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Trello
These apps offer unique features such as colour-coding and task assignment, which can make managing laundry tasks a breeze.
A shared family organiser or calendar ensures effective management of laundry tasks in large families.
With a few taps on your smartphone, you can have your entire week's laundry schedule at your fingertips!
Smaller Dirty Laundry Loads
Washing machines are a godsend for large families.
But are you using yours efficiently?
Large families can conserve time and resources by using washing machines efficiently.
For instance, most think that dumping a huge pile of dirty clothing items inside the washer (to the brim) think that they save energy--not really.
When a washer is overloaded (recent models, particularly) the computer recognises this and will either use more water or increase the speed and action of the motor to compensate.
A no-no and can definitely shorten the life of the machine, plus...
...the clothes don't go through much movement which means they aren't really getting scrubbed thoroughly.
So doing a load with a bit fewer clothes will not just make the laundry process better, but cleaner and extends the life of your washer.
Not all programs on a washing machine can handle the maximum advertised load; specific programs must be used to wash a full load efficiently.
Moreover, some big households combine similar fabric types from different members into one load.
This not only saves water and energy but also takes advantage of outdoor drying.
So next time, before you dump all your dirty clothes in the machine, take a moment to consider the load size, fabric type, and soil level.
Using the Right Washer Settings
Guaranteeing clean clothes is just a matter of selecting the right washer settings.
Load size settings on washing machines should be selected based on the amount of laundry, ensuring optimal cleaning and machine performance.
The type of fabric and the level of soil also dictate the water temperature setting you should use.
For instance, you could use a hotter setting for heavily soiled clothes and a cooler one for delicate fabrics.
Special settings like delicate, permanent press, and heavy duty cycles can be used depending on the nature of the clothing, from lingerie to jeans and towels.
Remember, your washing machine is not just a box that cleans clothes; it's a high-tech tool that, when used correctly, can save you a lot of time and hassle.
Streamlined Drying Techniques
Drying your clothes can be as important as washing them, especially when you're dealing with a large volume of laundry.
The right drying techniques can transform this hefty task into a manageable one.
Various drying racks, can utilise vertical space effectively, allowing you to dry a large number of garments at one time.
And let's not forget about accordion-style drying racks and over-the-door drying racks.
These options are perfect for small spaces and can hold a full load of delicate items.
Prioritise Hanging Clothes
Discovering simple and highly effective laundry hacks can make your life easier.
One such hack is to hang wet clothes immediately after washing.
Not only does this prevent wrinkles, but it also frees up space in the dryer for heavier laundry items like towels and bedding.
Tripod-style drying racks are ideal for hanging individual clothes.
They can be adjusted for longer garments to ensure they dry without wrinkles.
For larger and heavier laundry loads, winged drying racks are more suitable.
They provide ample space for air-drying, which helps big families manage their clothes more efficiently.
So, the next time you take your own clothes out of the washing machine, don't just dump them in the dryer.
Hang them up and let them air-dry.
Your clothes (and your energy bill) will thank you!
Organise Your Linen Closet
Let's move on to another crucial part of laundry management - the linen closet.
A well-organised linen closet can enhance the organisation and visual appeal of your space.
Keeping your linen closet organised can be daunting with so many items, including:
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Sheets
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Towels
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Washcloths
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Pillowcases
Fear not! With a few tricks up your sleeve, you can turn your linen closet into a haven of organisation.
Using uniform baskets, neat labeling, and attractive storage solutions like...
...glass jars and wire baskets can enhance the organisation and visual appeal of a linen closet.
Clear containers and labels help keep smaller items visible and sorted, while large cloth bins are useful for corralling items like toilet paper rolls.
A tidy linen closet is just a few simple steps away!
Folding and Storage Tips
The way you fold and store your linens, including bath towels, is the key to a well-organised linen closet.
For instance, rolling hand towels and washcloths to store in magazine holders can save space.
And the ‘sheet sausage' folding method for fitted sheets can keep linens compact and organised.
Another neat trick is to store the entire set of folded linens inside one of the pillowcases.
This not only keeps sets together but also ensures organised and easily accessible linen storage.
With these folding and storage tips, you can keep your linens compact, organised, and ready to use.
Ironing Efficiency
Ironing is probably not your favourite chore, but it's necessary to keep your clothes looking their best.
A few clever hacks can turn ironing into less of a chore and more of a breeze, and that's the good news.
For instance, using fast pressurised ironing methods can significantly cut down on ironing time.
Moreover, having an ironing station close to the folding area allows for a smooth transition between folding and pressing, making the ironing process more efficient.
So, next time you're faced with a pile of wrinkled clothes, remember: efficiency is key.
Quick Ironing Setup
A quick ironing setup can make all the difference in your laundry routine.
Significantly cutting down ironing time is possible with a stable, easy-to-use ironing board and a high-quality steam iron.
For instance, the Brabantia Ironing Board is known for its stability, ease of storing, and appropriate size.
For compact living situations, the Brabantia Tabletop Ironing Board is a great option.
And let's not forget about ironing boards with built-in shoulder wings like the Mabel Home.
These can speed up ironing shirts and blouses, freeing up your time for other things.
So, invest in a good ironing setup. It's worth every cent!
The Power of Pre-Treatment
Contrary to popular belief, relying solely on laundry detergent sometimes isn't enough...
...pre-treatment is a powerful tool in your laundry arsenal and you should take advantage of it all the time.
Pre-treating stains before washing not only increases the chances of removing them but can also prevent the need for re-washing, saving time and resources.
This is especially helpful when dealing with children's clothing and sports apparel prone to stains.
Pre-treating clothes allows families to combat tough stains, reduce dinginess, and effectively eliminate persistent odours before the washing process...
...thereby contributing to better overall cleanliness.
So next time you’re faced with a stubborn stain, remember: pre-treatment is your best friend.
DIY Stain Removal Solutions
Did you know that you can make your own stain remover at home?
A versatile homemade stain remover can be made from baking soda, dish soap, and hydrogen peroxide.
Just apply it directly to the stain, gently rub, and leave it for at least 15 minutes before washing.
For particularly tough sweat stains, white vinegar can effectively treat armpit stains by helping to loosen deodorant buildup and refreshing the fabric.
So next time you're faced with a really stubborn grease stains or stain, don't reach for the store-bought stain remover.
Implement Multipurpose Products
If there's one thing large families know, it's that simplicity is key.
And when it comes to laundry, multipurpose products can be a real game-changer.
The variety of cleaning tasks that multipurpose laundry detergents can handle reduces the number of products needed and saves time.
Products like ARM & HAMMER™ Plus OxiClean™ Stainfighters Power PAKS offer convenience to large families by eliminating mess and the need to measure detergent.
So why juggle multiple products when you can have one that does it all?
Recommendations for All-in-One Products
When it comes to all-in-one detergents, ARM & HAMMER™ Plus OxiClean™ Stainfighters Power PAKS Laundry Detergent is a popular choice among large households.
This detergent is recognised for its effective cleaning performance and removing stains from various types of clothing, such as workout attire.
Not only does it offer excellent cleaning performance, but it also provides more affordability than several similar products, providing value for money for larger households.
So if you're looking for a detergent that can handle a variety of cleaning tasks, this is one to consider.
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Words
In conclusion, managing laundry for a large family doesn't have to be a daunting task.
With the right strategies and tools - from assigning each family member a personal laundry hamper and scheduling specific laundry days...
...to using your washing machine efficiently and implementing streamlined drying techniques, you can transform your laundry routine from a chore into a breeze.
Remember, a little organisation and a few clever hacks can go a long way in making your laundry day more efficient and less stressful.
So next time you face that mountain of dirty clothes, take a deep breath and put these laundry hacks into action.
Happy washing!
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