How to Get Your Kids Involved with Laundry + Stay on Top of It

my top + similar jeans + bracelets  ||  harper’s dress + similar top  ||  stool + planter + baskets

Is there anyone out there that actually gets excited about doing laundry? For most people it is one of those things we dread and try to put off, which only makes it worse!! Having a family of 7, laundry is an unavoidable pretty much daily task, and if I let it can get out of control. But as the kids get older, we are slowly figuring out a system that not only gets them involved, but helps me to stay on top of it too and not feel like I live in the laundry room! So today I’m sharing some of those little tips + tricks we use to help take away a little bit of your laundry day dread!

:: ONE STEP AT A TIME 

When it comes to laundry, and most things, my mom really spoiled us growing up. We never did our own laundry, and some of us didn’t even know how until we got married and had to figure it out! Ha! While I don’t want that for my kids, I still haven’t fully handed over the reigns to them because I don’t want them to ruin their clothes. But that definitely doesn’t mean I haven’t started easing them into the job in steps. Not only do they learn better, but they aren’t overwhelmed with a new huge chore they don’t understand.

My biggest tip to getting your kids involved in laundry is to do it in steps. Start simple with the toddlers just helping move things from basket to washer or washer to dryer. Then move on to showing them how you separate whites from colors. For my bigger kids, they have started helping with stain removal from sports and things. I will spray the cleaner and they will help scrub. Folding or putting away are other steps they can ease into without making them do everything at once.

:: GIVE UP ON PERFECTION 

As a mom of 5 littles, I have quickly learned if I want to teach them to contribute to household chores, I have to give up on my need for everything to be done exactly perfect like I would do it. Kids are kids and even trying their very best isn’t always going to result in your idea of how it should be done. But redoing it for them is only going to hurt their pride and give you double the work!

One of the biggest aspects I have tried to put this in to is putting clothes away. If you’ve seen our kids closet post, one of my tips is to utilize baskets. I want things to look clean and uniform in their closet but it just doesn’t always happen. Baskets give the clean look, but whats inside doesn’t have to look fancy. They are still separating and putting away their own laundry, but out of sight out of mind helps calm the mom anxiety.

The same goes for sorting their own clothes. It isn’t going to be perfect every time, but they are learning the responsibility and that is all that really matters. Patience is key in helping them contribute.

:: MAKE A SCHEDULE 

My biggest tip to keep your laundry from taking over your life is to make a schedule. Just like you would appointments and family activities, having your laundry on a schedule keeps it from being something you are constantly doing. I know some people do it by room in the house, or by people groups, saving a specific day for towels and bedding. Find what works for you and try to stick to it so you aren’t getting overwhelmed with a mountain of clothes at the end of the week.

:: THE LAUNDRY ROOM IS FOR CLEANING 

I know, you are thinking duh Kailee. But the Laundry room often becomes a giant pile of dirty stinky clothes and does not scream “clean place”. Nobody wants to think about doing laundry when that is what comes to mind. Keep the dirty clothes in their designated rooms until you are ready to do that specific load of laundry, instead of letting it all pile up in one place. On the same note, don’t let it become a habit to have your clean clothes pile up there. Think of the laundry as one task not separated into wash, dry, fold, put away. If you are going to do a load, try to commit to the full process!

I hope these little laundry tips + tricks help you get the whole family involved! And help you stay on top of a not so exciting task. If you have some great tips for tackling this chore, let me know in the comments over on Instagram!!

photos : aubrey taiese