This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of hhgregg. All opinions are 100% mine.
I have never met anyone who could get out stains better than my Grandma Helen. I remember my mom calling her many, many times throughout my childhood, asking her how to remove everything from dirt to food to blood, and she always knew exactly what to do so that our clothes would come out looking brand new each and every time. It was like she had a sixth sense. She knew everything about laundry.
I, on the other hand, would never venture to call myself a laundry expert. In fact, a few months back my Connor (age 7) said to me, "Mom, I think you might need to do laundry more often..." Eeek. It's not that I particularly dislike laundry. It is actually one of the chores I enjoy most, mostly because I get to sit on the couch and watch Fixer Upper while I fold. 🙂
But I always felt like the process took forever by the time I made my way down to the basement, loaded up the washer, waited a long time for the cycle to complete, probably forgot that the load needed to be switched to the dryer, finally moved the load to the dryer and started it up, waited an eternity for the dryer to finish, sometimes having to add extra time for the clothes to be fully dry, etc. etc. etc.
All of this resulted in an elongated laundry process and a seven year old who was disappointed because his favorite shorts weren't clean. Again. Oops.
My New Favorite Laundry Tools
But recently we made a little change that made the laundry process so much easier on this little mama...
Aren't they pretty?! {I feel like I need to confess that I took pictures of these beauties before we took them down to our dungeon-like basement with no light so that you could actually see what they look like in the light of day. 🙂 }
I don't think I've ever been as excited about an appliance as the day that the awesome guys from hhgregg delivered these babies, the Samsung activewash Top Load Washer and Electric Dryer.
Caleb (age 4) and I watched excitedly as they unloaded them oh-so-carefully from the truck and brought them into our house. The guys listened intently with smiles on their faces as Caleb insisted on showing them his most favorite toys, and then they took their turn, explaining all of the different features of our new washer and dryer and making sure we had all of the parts we needed.
While I love that the Samsung washer and dryer look pretty, I was even more thrilled that their awesome features also helped streamline my laundry process. I can now get more laundry done in less time because...
1. The larger capacity of the washer and dryer means that I can fit more laundry in one load. (I can even use the built-in sink to easily pre-treat my stained items.)
2. The washer's Super Speed allows me to wash a load in as little as 36 minutes. (What?!)
And 3. the dryer has multi-steam technology, which means that I need to iron a lot less often. Woot!
My Quick and Easy Laundry Process
With chasing around two crazy boys, running a business, and balancing other family and life commitments, I needed to make my actual laundry process as quick and easy as possible too. Here are just a few little tips that make laundry day run smoothly at our house:
1. I don't separate darks and lights.
Eeek-- I know! I'm breaking all of the laundry rules! I just separate the towels, throw all of the clothes in together on cold, and let my super awesome washing machine do its thing. (I am more cautious with brand new clothes.)
The technology of the washer and dryer is so much better these days that our clothes still come out clean and stain-free and they don't fade or bleed, so while it may not be for everyone, this method totally works for us!
2. I fold all of our laundry at the same time.
I'm into "batching" my tasks, so I do all of our laundry on the same day. As the loads come out of the dryer, I put each one into a laundry basket. Then at the end of the day after the Cs go to bed, I bring all of the laundry baskets up to the living room, flip on a movie or a show, and have a folding party. I actually look forward to folding because I can catch up on some favorite shows while being productive at the same time! Two birds, one stone. Boom.
3. The Cs help put their clothes away.
This is something I've started more recently as the boys have gotten older, but they now help put their own laundry away most weeks. Caleb mostly sticks to socks and underwear since he is on the younger side, while Connor manages most of the bigger items. Since we use the "filing" technique of folding, it's pretty easy for him to grab a row of clothes and slide it into the drawer.
the "filing" folding method
So that's our process! While I still may not measure up to Grandma Helen's level of laundry prowess, I now am much better equipped to get my family's clothes squeaky clean in a much more timely fashion. And Con can wear his favorite shorts all the time, so really it's a win for everyone. 😉
[Psssttt… Get our top 100 tips for organizing every room of the house here!]
Do you have any tips and tricks to make the laundry process easier? I'd love to hear about them in the comments!
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of hhgregg. All opinions are 100% mine. For more information, see my disclosures here.
I do separate my darks from my lights/whites. And depending on how many red (high bleed) items I have, will determine if they have a load of their own or not. One thing I've always felt super proud of myself for is that I can get stains out really well, from grass stains to tomato sauce, from cooking grease to motor oil. I can get them all! My mom taught me how to pre-treat stains and how to do it properly. If my hubby is out playing in the yard with our 3 boys and happens to get a grass stain on his "nice" jeans, he knows I can get it out! I use an LG steam washer, bought it used, but I am saving up for my brand new set one day!
Sounds like you are the laundry queen, Edrie! Love those mamas for teaching us so much! Hope you have a wonderful day!
~Abby =)
I can see what you are excited about laundry. A new appliance or piece of furniture always puts a kick in my pants. These are so pretty!
Love the folding method. My 13 year old actually folds his shirts this way and taught me a thing or two about laundry. It's funny the way my kids inspire me when I least expect it. 🙂
That is so awesome that your 13 took the initiative to learn that! How cool! And yes, the washer/dryer has definitely given me more motivation on laundry day, lol! Have a great day, Melanie!
~Abby =)
I totally thought you were going to say that your washer and dryer sent a notice to your cell phone when they were done. That's what you really need, with the machines in the basement. I wonder if there are any that do that.
The Samsung doesn't have that feature that I know of, but it does have a SmartCare app, which can help you diagnose any problems with the washer from your smart phone, which is pretty cool. Maybe they will add in your idea next-- that would be awesome! Hope you're having a great week, Chris!
~Abby =)
I have our extra baby monitor camera in the garage aimed at our washer and dryer so I can look at how much time is left and hear the sound when a load is done or needs attention.
I love this post! Especially because you just reaffirmed the way I do my laundry! This is exactly how I do laundry too, every step. It is the only way I found that I was actually able to fit it in! I will confess though, sometimes my husband does the folding at night watching shows while I am at work.
What a good hubby! That's awesome that he pitches in! Mine takes on dish detail, so I can't complain. 🙂 Glad to see I'm not the only one using this laundry method and having success! Hope you're having a wonderful week, Tilisa!
~Abby =)
I'm curious about how you fold children's clothes using the Kon Marie method. Do you just make fewer folds to make them stand up? I'm going to have to experiment b/c I'm about to tackle my house once I finish the book! Love the new washer and dryer!! 🙂
You're exactly right, Sarah-- just less folds for the kids' clothes! Happy folding! 🙂
~Abby =)
The idea of not sorting scares me, but I might have to give it a try.
I hear you! I was nervous at first, too, but it sped up my process so much and now I'm hooked! 🙂 Hope you're having a great day, Falon!
~Abby =)
Abby, you are an inspiration! I absolutely ADORE your blog. I look forward to my emails and reading new posts!!! Thank you for the inspiring words! I have a boy, 7, and a girl, 2...and the laundry NEVER ENDS! I keep 2 baskets in each child's room, 3 in my master for me and the Hubby, and one in the bathroom for towels, washcloths, etc...I take the clothing from all of the designated clothing baskets 4 times a week during bath time and start the load, by the time everyone has bathed, grushed teeth, gotten into pajamas, I put laundry in the dryer. We then read, talk, and have wind down time. The children go to bed, I get the laundry out of the dryer and fold and or put on hangers and sneak the baskets back into rooms under beds, and hang rest into closet quietly, Next day the older one puts his folded stuff away, I put the youngest ones away. The second hamper under beds is a spare set of clean bedding. So I can wash all the bedding at once and they can have clean bedding immediately placed on beds and mine as well, then I place what I washed into linen basket back under bed and its ready for the next cycle. Don't sort your clothing! (except linens & delicates...and your nice brand new stuff) saving TIME & MONEY$$$ :oP I make my own laundry detergent and fabric softener, among many other household cleaning and disinfecting items. Like stain remover! Dawn dish soap and water will take out your stains. If you really want to get JIGGY with the stain removal, Dawn, Water, Hydrogen Peroxide. Put them in a spray bottle, shake, shake, shake...Voila, you have your homemade, LOW COST, stain remover. I occasionally put a little borax or arm & hammer super wash laundry detergent, or even just plain old baking soda on the spot and then spray my mix or rub some dawn and water on it into a paste...The Hydrogen Peroxide WILL NOT DISCOLOR your COLORED clothes when mixed with water and dawn, AND THE REASON FOR NOT SORTING IS BECAUSE IT IS POINTLESS!!! YOUR DARKS WON'T BLEED, EVEN RED unless you're washing your whites with reds and/or brand new dark jeans in hot water. ALSO BY NOT SORTING, YOU ARE SAVING SO MUCH MORE MONEY BY NOT USING ALL IF THAT ELECTRICITY OR GAS ON GENERATING POWER CONSTANTLY TO PRODUCE YOUR HOT WATER!!! Just sayin...I am EXTREMELY FRUGAL BY CHOICE, and it is PAYING OFF BIG TIME!!!
Sounds like you have the whole laundry thing down to a science! Thank you so much for these tips! Have a wonderful day, Jenny!
~Abby =)
I've got my laundry routine down pat EXCEPT for pre-treating stains! Got any suggestions on a good guide out there?
The OxyClean spray is my best friend! Jenn at https://www.cleanandscentsible.com/ and Becky at https://www.cleanmama.net/ are my go-to girls for cleaning tips, so I'm sure they have some posts on it too. I hope this helps!
~Abby =)
I don't separate either and never have issues! If anyone has a secret stain remover trick that they are willing to share, please send my way. I thought I had it figured out (for really bad stains I use oxyclean, let it sit for up to a week then dry it in the sun). But that's not working on one of my daughters shirts...I'm thinking it's a mold stain which is why its being so stubborn. Tips are welcome 🙂
I don't separate either and never have issues! If anyone has a secret stain remover trick that they are willing to share, please send my way. I thought I had it figured out (for really bad stains I use oxyclean, let it sit for up to a week then dry it in the sun). But that's not working on one of my daughters shirts...I'm thinking it's a mold stain which is why its being so stubborn. Tips are welcome 🙂
I use the blue Dawn dish soap for most of our stains. Pour a little on, full strength. Let sit for a few minutes. Rinse out in sink with hot water. Wash item in laundry with laundry detergent.
If it is really mold I would probably just throw out the item. We have sensitive skin and other issues.
I also never separate lights from darks. The only thing I DO separate are whites and the hubby's work clothes. It has saved so much time! And I have yet to ruin anything. I agree that it is so important to get kids involved to put away their own clothes. Even my two year old puts his own clothes away. I love all your simple, but great tips Abby. Thanks for sharing.
A load in 36 minutes! That's amazing! I'm jealous :). Our washer died about a year ago and the dryer was on its last leg so we bought he and I was not so thrilled about the much longer washing times (1 hr per load). Of course, I let my husband do the research and shopping, which was not the best idea since I am the one that does most of the laundry. I do separate everything. We have an 8 bin sorter - whites, blacks, color (2), jeans, towels, no softener & delicates (hand wash and/or gentle cycle). I do at least one laundry load a day. It's easy to put away quickly. The best stain remover I have used so far is one I came across on Jilly's site: https://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2013/06/goodbye-to-yellow-armpit-stains-best-of-jillee.html. You do need to be careful on some clothes because the hydrogen peroxide may discolor it. I haven't damaged anything so far and it works really well on blood stains and those yellow collar and armpit stains.
Yay! Someone else who does laundry like me! I have NEVER sorted our clothes (other than towels) and haven't ruined anything yet.
Makes life so much easier, plus the kids can fill the washer without messing anything up:-)
I don't separate my colors either! I never have because I would have to wait forever to have a full load. I just separate by hot or cold.
I have to say Laundry is my least favorite chore except when it is done. I have taught all my children, 4 of them, at a young age, starting around 7, how to do laundry. They are now all equipped to do any load of laundry. When my older two boys where in sports they would come home at night from games and take off their uniforms and put in washer. Whoever showered last started the washer, and in the morning would either hang it to dry or throw it in the dryer. My younger two have also learned this same technique, so we have no emergency runs to school for late uniform drop offs. Everyone helps with the laundry process which makes this chore easier to get done.
As for sorting. I separate colors from whites because after a while your whites will not look very white any more. I know this because while in college I didn't separate and my whites turned grey by the end of the school year. I do wash most things on tap cold or cold. That is just easier on clothes. My whites I wash on warm. I'm enjoying your blog and all your printable's. Thank you Abby.
Thank you so much for the tips, Sarah! So helpful!! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
~Abby =)
I used to sort everything. I had a load of black clothes, dark colors, light colors, whites, reds, towels, jeans, etc. Then I had a baby. I sort nothing now. NOTHING. I wash all my clothes together, all my child's clothes together, and hubby does all his clothes. He sorts whites, but even our towels go in the normal loads. I fold after every load, because ironing isn't happening over here. Not if I don't absolutely, world will end have to. My daughter's bedding even gets washed with her clothes. Our bedding gets washed separately, but only because I can't fit it in with our clothes. I still do a lot of laundry, but I don't feel like I do. A load of my daughters, a load of mine, hubby has a white load and a dark load, two loads of bedding for us, a load of rags, and a load of bathroom rags, (because bathroom cleaning grosses me out and I can't stomach cleaning something else with a rag that has cleaned the toilet). Bathroom rags are also our last load of the week and get bleach and hot water (they are hubby's old ripped jeans, so I"m not worried about ruining them). And the washer gets cleaned afterwards. That's it, and I only have to do 4 of those. I do it all on one day and I am DONE for a week!!!! WOOOHOO!!!!!
Sounds like you have a great system, Jennifer! Thanks for sharing. Have an awesome weekend! <3
~Abby =)