Laundry has always been a struggle for me. It feels like a never-ending task—just when you think you’re “done,” everyone in the house is still wearing clothes, so it’s never really over. When I worked in the corporate world, I kept up with laundry on the weekends, but often leaving some unfinished.
Then I had a baby, and the laundry situation got out of control. How do babies create so much laundry? I knew something had to change. That’s why I created a simple laundry routine that actually works for my family.
Changing My Mindset Around Laundry
If you read my Cleaning Schedule post , then you know I had to shift my mindset when it came to cleaning; i had to do the same thing with laundry. If you’re like me, you might struggle with perfectionism and want everything done all in one day. But I’m here to tell you—stop that!
It’s okay to break up chores into small, manageable tasks. Once I let go of the idea that everything needed to be finished in a single day, I was able to create a laundry system that worked for my family.
Step-by-Step Laundry Routine
To make laundry as efficient as possible, I follow a simple step-by-step routine that ensures everything gets cleaned properly without extra hassle.
- Sort clothes by colorI i use a laundry basket that is divided by darks, whites and colors..
- Pre-treat stains as needed.
- Wash on appropriate settings:
- Darks: Cold water, gentle cycle.
- Colors: Warm water, regular cycle.
- Whites: Hot water, regular cycle (add bleach if needed).
- Baby Clothes: Warm water, gentle cycle (use a baby-safe detergent).
- Mats/Blankets: Hot water, heavy-duty cycle.
- Dry according to fabric care instructions:
- Darks/Colors: Low to medium heat.
- Whites: High heat for a crisp finish.
- Baby Clothes: Low heat.
- Mats/Blankets: Low heat or air dry to prevent shrinkage.
- Fold and put away promptly.
- Enjoy a laundry-free day until your next scheduled load
Laundry Schedule
Monday: Clothes
I do four loads of laundry on Mondays:
Darks
Colors
Whites
Baby clothes
I used to try the “one load per day” method, but I constantly felt like I was doing laundry. Some days, I’d forget about a load in the washer, and it would start to stink, meaning I had to rewash it, setting me back even more.
Now, I just power through and get it all done in one day. It’s way more efficient, and by the end of Monday, I know laundry is taken care of for the week.
To make it easier, I keep my Monday housework light—no extra cleaning tasks. I also keep meals simple, usually something slow-roasted or made in the crockpot. Check out my dinner ideas post here for a practical example.
Note: I’m not too picky, so I wash towels with clothes. Technically, you should separate laundry by weight, but I don’t, and everything comes out just fine.
If I don’t get to all the folding on Monday, I’ll finish it on Tuesday. And that’s okay—because good enough is okay!
Wednesday: Bathroom & Entryway Laundry
On Wednesdays, I do one small load while I clean the bathrooms. This includes:
Bathroom floor mats
Entryway mats
Mop heads
Dog bed (if needed)
Friday: Bedding and Cleaning Rags
Fridays are for washing:
Sheets
Throw blankets
Cleaning rags
This keeps everything fresh heading into the weekend.
Seasonal Laundry Tasks
Seasonally, I also wash:
Mattress protectors
couch cushion covers
curtains
I do this by adding one extra load to my Monday routine for about a month.
Stain Removal Guide
One of the biggest laundry struggles is dealing with stubborn stains. Here’s my go-to stain removal guide to help tackle common stains before washing.
- Grass: Soak in vinegar, then wash as usual.
- Grease/Oil: Apply dish soap, let sit for 10 minutes, then wash.
- Ink: Dab rubbing alcohol on the stain, then rinse and wash.
- Red Wine: Sprinkle with salt, blot with club soda, then wash.
- Chocolate: Scrape off excess, soak in cold water, then wash.
- Baby Formula: Pre-treat with baking soda and water, then wash.
My Favorite Laundry Products
1. Arm & Hammer Liquid Laundry Detergent
A budget-friendly alternative to Tide that works just as well.
2. ECOS Liquid Laundry Detergent
I use this for my baby’s clothes because of its gentle ingredients. It’s not the best for stain removal, but I prioritize safe ingredients over perfect-looking clothes.
Ingredients:
- Water
- Cocamidopropyl Betaine (plant-derived surfactant)
- Sodium Coco-Sulfate (plant-derived surfactant)
- Cocamidopropylamine Oxide (plant-derived surfactant)
- Phenoxyethanol (preservative)
- Methylisothiazolinone (preservative)
3. Glamerous Wash in the Diva Scent by Tyler Candle Company
Smells amazing! I don’t buy it all the time, but it’s my go-to for sheets, curtains, and couch covers. The only downside? It’s pricey.
4. Folex
Not technically for clothes, but it’s the best stain remover I’ve ever used. It even got out an old wine stain!
5. Vinegar
I use vinegar instead of fabric softener—it’s natural and saves money.
6. Bleach
I love bleaching my whites. It keeps them bright and ensures my sheets and towels are fully disinfected
Conclusion
This simple laundry routine allows me to stay on top of laundry while only doing it three days a week. By organizing tasks and sticking to a system, I’ve stopped feeling overwhelmed by laundry. It’s not about perfection—it’s about finding what works for your family.
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