Delay the wash

Back in the fall we purchased a new washer and dryer.  A new luxury item, for sure.  We researched and purchased a Kenmore set from Sears.  I really wasn't too concerned about what we bought -- I just wanted it to do a decent job on the spin cycle (without becoming imbalanced).  Laundry was definitely a big challenge once I started working part-time.  While my hours were consistent, I attended a lot of extra meetings and classes.

My favorite feature on my new washing machine is the delay wash button.  When I first tried it, I was leery that it would work.  I guess when you're used to an old machine, you just expect it not to work.  So, one day set the timer on the washing machine to finish around the time we got home after school.  It was amazing.  All I had to to was put the wet clothes in the dryer and start another load.  Now, I often start a delayed cycle for when we get home.  I also set it before going to bed.  Then I just wake up with a load already started.  It really does save that time of waiting for the first cycle to be done.  I also will do a load at night (not delayed) and leave the load in the dryer for morning or after school.  Usually this is a load of towels or something else that doesn't need immediate folding.

If you have a delayed wash button on your washing machine and you aren't using it -- you should give it a try.  Or if you are in the market looking for a new washing machine, I would highly suggest getting on with the delayed wash cycle.  It really saves a time and a little stress.

Clean stains out of clothes

My husband's work shirts often get stained in the underarms.  We think it was caused by the deoderant he used.  I searched high and low for a solution to get the stains out.  I tried many different things.

What works best is to get a spray bottle, fill it with vinegar and spritz both the inside and outside of the shirt just prior to washing.  Wash as normal.  Stains disappear.

Laundry

I am not a huge fan of this task. But I think I finally have found a system that works for me. My issue is the putting away part, not the sorting, washing, drying, folding -- just putting it away.

Here are my solutions:
1. I presort the laundry with a sorter that has three slots. My daughter's laundry I do with special detergent (due to itchy skin) and keep a hamper in her room. My husband does a pretty good job following the sort. Sometimes I still move clothes around, but it saves a ton of time having the sorter.

2. Now that my daughter is past her infant/spitting up/going through 3 outfits, 4 blankets, 15 spit-up rags, 20 bibs a day phase; I do her laundry every other day. I used to do it every night and fold it in the morning when she played. Now I do about half of that every other day, in the morning, after her bath and put it away after her morning nap.

3. I do our laundry twice a week so the loads aren't overwhelming. Usually Monday/Thursday or Tuesday/Friday. Depends on my schedule for the week. I start the loads really early and my goal is to have it done by 2 p.m., which is plenty of time for interruptions. And then it's done before I start supper.

4. I only use one basket.

5. As soon as the load is done, I take it out of the dryer and move to the room the clothes or towels belong to. I start folding right away and putting them away. I used to take the basket into the living room and sit down, fold, get interrupted and it could take a couple hours to put away. So now when I do a load of towels, I take the basket to the bathroom and as I fold them I put them in the cabinet. It makes for a much easier time and I don't trip on the laundry basket or dread getting that chore done.


That is what has been working for me. It took me months to figure it out. I'm just thankful I'm not in an apartment trying to do laundry in a laundry room with the baby. Boy would that have difficult.