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Laundry Hacks for Big Families: Valuable Tips Everyone Should Know
Managing laundry for a large family in one roof can be a daunting task mostly if you are busy juggling with work, making dinner, grocery runs--on top of cleaning the house.
And that's the reason why you ended up in this article, no worries, we've got you covered with our laundry tips and awesome laundry hacks for big families!
With all the dirty clothes piling up, it’s essential to have an efficient and logical laundry system in place.
Our guide will provide you with practical tips and tricks to help you upgrade your laundry routine, save time...
...and keep all the family's clothes clean and organised in as little time as possible!
Short Summary
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A designated laundry hamper for each member of the household can drastically shorten laundry errands.
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Using the right product like detergent, additives, and wash cycle does wonders on stains with minimal effort.
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Sharing laundry tasks with every member of the household promotes interaction and reduces stress and anxiety.
Topics in This Article:
Pre-Laundry Hacks
Sorting Garments Efficiently (Don't skimp on the laundry basket)
A simple trick is to sort clothes/dirty laundry before washing so you only have to deal with two loads of laundry every week:
One load for whites and another for coloured, a third one at most for towels.
Use multiple laundry hampers or bins to pre-sort by colour and fabric...
...so you won't have to deal with having to sort dirty clothing from one big family wash pile which can be daunting to look at.
Assigning a laundry basket or two to each family member can also help in managing the laundry process efficiently.
A laundry hamper is quite affordable but can greatly beneficial to your weekly laundry tasks.
Pre-Treating Stains (The right tool, for the right job)
Pre-treating stains on heavily soiled clothes is crucial.
Quick and effective methods include using baking soda, oxygen bleach, hydrogen peroxide or even dishwashing soap.
Adding baking soda into your washer alongside your favourite laundry soap greatly increases the PH level and alkalinity of the water resulting in a powerful yet gentle cleaning medium for all the laundry...
...mostly on commonly soiled items that are prone to yellowing like school uniforms, little kids' shorts and shirts, or even non-laundry items like all the kids' dirty stuffed toys.
Oxygen bleach like (Oxiclean or Vanish) can do wonders on stained white clothes, t shirts, towels, bed linens, cloth napkins, etc.
But we recommend only running a hot cycle with oxygen bleach products with fewer amount of laundry, too many clothes in one cycle can greatly hamper their efficacy.
Pouring a cap or two of hydrogen peroxide over blood stains or protein-based stains works like magic and instantly lifts off deeply seated stains...
...finish off with enzyme detergent and oxygen bleach in the washer!
Lastly, stubborn oil splatters on garments can be easily removed with a generous squeeze of dishwashing liquid into your washer's detergent drawer...
...use a hot cycle plus less amount of detergent you would normally use. Voila, dark spots are gone!
Washing Hacks
Turn Laundry Day Into Bonding Day
Try to involve each family member and younger kids in the laundry schedule to ensure everyone takes responsibility for their own clothes...
...this can drastically reduce the time it takes you to do laundry errands.
Kevin, our Creative Director, shared with us a hilarious routine with his Mum:
"What my Mom and I would always do is to watch funny vlogs on YouTube or binge on our current favourite series on Netflix while folding clothes on the couch...
...sometimes we would end up just talking about how each other's day went.
It's a great bonding moment for both of us and before we know it, we're already done folding everything!
After that, we'd rush into our respective closets to get all the laundry organised then hilariously race our way back to the couch before the intro of a new episode ends!"
You can even teach your children how to do laundry by scheduling individual washes and teaching them how to select the proper cycle, amount of detergent, etc.
While doing just a few full loads does save energy and saves time for the busy moms out there...
...involving your kids by doing their own laundry can be a game changer for developing their sense of independence in the future.
Using the Right Detergent and Boosters
Opt for a laundry detergent that is specifically formulated for large loads and tough stains powered with plant-based enzymes...
...and essences, sodium bicarbonate, or silver nano particles to keep foul odours away.
Choose detergents that are free from harsh chemicals and dyes.
These can be gentle on sensitive skin while still being tough on dirt and grime.
Using the correct amount of detergent is essential to avoid residue on clothing items and ensure a thorough clean.
For top load washers, adjust your detergent dose until you only see a thin veil of foam or bubble floating on the water.
For front load washers, using half the amount (sometimes even less than half) is more than enough since these machines use significantly less water...
...and rely more on mechanical action and controlling the water temperature.
Too much detergent can wear clothes more by damaging the fabric as well as leave a sticky film on the fabric, which can attract more dirt and cause skin irritation.
For heavily soiled clothing, consider using a pre-treatment solution or adding a stain remover to your wash cycle.
Enzyme-based detergents can be particularly effective in breaking down protein-based stains like grass, blood, and food.
Additionally, consider the water temperature recommended for the detergent, using a warmer wash cycle can greatly improve your washing machine's performance.
Some detergents work better in cold water, which can help preserve the fabric and colours of the clothes.
By selecting the right detergent and using it properly, you can ensure that your children's clothes come out clean, fresh, and ready for their next adventure.
Washer Capacity
As a general rule, it's important to not overload your washing machine if you want pristine, clean clothes with every wash.
This applies to both small and large families since your washing machine will only be able to do its job properly...
...by only putting in enough clothes about 2/3 of the way up--for both front and top loading washers.
Less laundry and higher water levels also means more room for clothes to sway in the water resulting in better clean clothes, not to mention, less tangling and wrinkles when hanging clothes.
For those using combo washer dryers, it's important to take note of the washing and drying capacities oftentimes these machines are not capable of full load washing then drying the same size of wash.
This is an important factor to be mindful of most importantly if you have a big size family, plan your routine time accordingly to avoid pileups of dirty clothes.
Washing Clothes on Cold
Washing clothes in cold water saves energy and helps prevent colour fading but there are exceptions where warm water or hot water washing is necessary.
Detergents are most effective when the water temperature is at 16c or higher but they work best at significantly warmer temperatures like 40c or higher.
30c is still considered as 'cold' in terms of washing but be mindful of cold washes since the temperature of 16c to 37c is the perfect temperature range for bacteria to thrive in.
It's all a balancing act, avoid overloading your washing machine...
...load fewer clothes in the drum to ensure great results by allowing the fabrics to move freely in the water and for the detergent to work its magic.
Prolong the Life of Your Delicate Items
Not a lot of people seem to know the importance of the humble laundry bag.
We spend so much on silky soft underwear and lingeries, yet, most of us don't think about the damage that washing machines can cause them--until it's too late.
High quality cotton laundry bags or Swiss voile laundry bags are very affordable but last a very long time.
These can help prolong the life of your delicate garments without hampering the ability of your washer and favourite detergent to provide a thorough, deep clean.
Drying Hacks
Utilising Space Efficiently
Putting clothes on high quality drying racks with wide lines and adequate gaps for unhampered airflow (and other space-saving methods to hang clothes) is a surefire way to achieving great smelling clothes that dry in no time.
Hang big heavy items at the outermost lines of your airer, alternating small and large items as well as using clothes hangers can help you dry plenty of wet laundry in one sitting...
...since this method allows air to move freely through the airer.
This makes for a fast and breezy way to dry clothes that can cut the drying time by up to 25% while avoiding unwanted smells which can ruin your day!
Dry Efficiently in the Laundry Room
If you choose to use an electric tumble dryer in your morning routine, dryer balls can reduce wrinkles and drying time significantly, cleaning the lint trap regularly ensures better performance.
You might also want to consider getting a dehumidifier if you choose to dry your wet garments indoors.
A powerful dehumidifier with dedicated laundry mode can dry your clothes within a sealed room like bathroom, laundry room...
...or even a closet within 3-4 hours instead of a whole day while using less energy than regular tumble dryers.
For more tips on how to dry clothes indoors faster with methods we have proven and tested ourselves, click here.
These simple tricks can save you a lot of time and energy on laundry day, not to mention, prevents sudden increase in electricity bills by allowing your machine to work more efficiently.
Preventing Wrinkles
To reduce wrinkles, shake out clothes before drying or hanging.
Using dryer sheets or better alternatives to fabric softeners can also help keep your clean laundry from smelling musty while looking fresh and wrinkle-free.
Check out this article for laundry products that have truly upped the laundry game for us--and hopefully, yours too.
Final Words
Managing laundry for a large family doesn’t have to be overwhelming, you don't have to get things done alone--dreading the next session of elbow greasing while you're not even finished with the current one!
By implementing the helpful laundry hacks for big families that we have thoroughly discussed above...
...you can streamline your laundry process, save time, and keep your kids' clothes in great condition!
A well-organised laundry room and an efficient laundry routine using the right tools can make all the difference in this never-ending weekly tribulation.
So get started!
Get organised, get things done the right way, and get everyone involved for happier laundry days ahead!
Frequently Asked Questions
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