When we take off our clothes, they get sorted immediately.
My children have laundry baskets in their rooms, and each morning they sort their laundry into the baskets in my closet.
On top of my washing machine, I have two 3-gallon buckets. One is labeled for washcloths and rags, and the other is for cloth napkins and bibs.
Whenever a basket is full, I wash that load. I wash between 2-4 loads a day, 6 days a week. (Towels are washed about once a week, and sheets are brought in next to the laundry room separately, but they are all white, so no sorting needed.)
I start laundry at 5 am, and usually have 2 -3 loads done by the time the children are ready to fold laundry. If I put a load in the washer the night before, I can set the delayed start on my washer to wash a load right before I get up. I hang up my clothes and my husband’s clothes, and I have one child (age 10) who hangs up the children’s shirts and girls dresses. The other children (ages 8, 7, 5, and 3) fold laundry each morning before breakfast. The youngest children fold the cloth napkins, washcloths, and burp cloths.
I make 3 batches of homemade laundry soap at a time so that I don’t have to make it as often. To make it quickly, I grate the soap using my grater attachment for my Kitchen Aid.
Mix all ingredients well with a spoon. I store my laundry soap in a mason jar. A triple batch makes just under 3 quart-sized jars.
Use 2 Tbsp per large load.
This soap works wonderfully in cold water, which is how I wash most of my clothing. I am allergic to most laundry soaps. This soap is very mild, and not filled with perfumes, making it perfect for those with sensitive skin, and for baby clothes. I have been making my own laundry soap since 2005.
I use this in a front-loading, HE washer, without any problem.
Notes: To make this for less, I buy oxi-clean powder in bulk from Sam’s Club when it goes on sale.
I get borax and washing soda at the Target.
I buy the Oil of Olay bars in bulk at Sam’s Club.
I do not use dryer sheets. Instead, I set the timed dry for each load to only dry until it is done. Over drying is what causes static. I dry most loads on low, and they are usually done in 60 minutes. Heavier loads, such as towels, take 120 minutes. The clothes are very soft and static is not a problem.
A little more reading:
How to wash your wool sweaters
Home Comforts: The Art and Science of Keeping House
