It’s no secret that my least-loved household duty is laundry. I thought it was overwhelming when we only had 3 kids and since we’ve added 2 more, I just feel downright defeated by the piles. I definitely need a new strategy. The good news is, I’ve been gathering some creative ideas and went to work this weekend on a few.
Objective #1: Fix Gabe’s hamper. It’s been over-stuffed so frequently that it finally caved under the pressure. Lest you think that I never clean his clothes, 🙂 I must add add that many times the hamper is filled with “fake laundry” that’s really not dirty at all, but ends up there when the kids don’t feel like hanging up a clean shirt in the closet or placing it back in a drawer. Anyway, As you can see, his hamper has seen better days. The wooden dowels are broken and crooked.
Martha Stewart had an easy (and inexpensive fix)! A drawstring bag attached to an embroidery hoop
Since the fabric on the hamper was still good, I just used that. We also bought a quilt hoop since it was a tad bigger than the embroidery hoop.
I like the fact it’s off the floor and can double as a basketball net for dirty clothes. 🙂 We still have to install a hook on the door, but in the meantime we used a wreath holder (no holes and just as sturdy)! It’s small victories like these that brighten my laundry life. 🙂
Next, Jim and I are hoping to tackle this project:
It would be great to store this in the laundry room, and you can modify the design to the size/space that works for you. Click here for the plan.
Don’t get me wrong, I am grateful for the gift of laundry and what it means. More laundry means our family has grown, our kids are cared for with clean clothes, and I have an amazing new-fangled machine to help make the loads lighter. 🙂 So, the “lamentations” also come with a dose of understanding that sometimes I do sweat the small stuff. On that note, I had to smile after reading this poem. Thank God for laundry. Just not the “fake” laundry. 🙂
While the white foam raises high,
And sturdily wash, and rinse, and wring,
And fasten the clothes to dry;
Then out in the free fresh air they swing,
Under the sunny sky.
I wish we could wash from our hearts and our souls
The stains of the week away,
And let water and air by their magic make
Ourselves as pure as they;
Then on the earth there would be indeed
A glorious washing day!
Along the path of a useful life
Will heart’s-ease ever bloom;
The busy mind has no time to think
Of sorrow, or care, or gloom;
And anxious thoughts may be swept away
As we busily wield a broom.
I am glad a task to me is given
To labor at day by day;
For it brings me health, and strength, and hope,
And I cheerfully learn to say-
“Head, you may think; heart, you may feel;
But hand, you shall work always!”
~Louisa May Alcott~
Diane Marie says
I have two 3 slot laundry sorters to sort out my dirty laundry. Each child has a basket in the basement as do I. I do 1-2 loads a day and fold it straight out of the dryer and put it in the right basket. All the kids put there own clothes away if they are old enough….
Anonymous says
Love this Brooke! I think that we can all relate. We have "fake laundry" at our house too. Thanks for writing an enjoyable blog.
Have a good week!