Help, the laundry monster is attacking! As the mother of three energetic children, I know the feeling all too well: you think you’ve just put the last clean sock in the closet, turn around, and there’s already a mountain of dirty clothes waiting. 💬 “Mum, I don’t have any clean PE clothes!” comes the cry from upstairs. Sound familiar? Then it’s high time to bring some order to the laundry chaos.
Fortunately, a house full of children doesn’t have to mean constantly drowning in dirty laundry. With a few smart organisational skills – and a touch of humour – you can get a handle on that never-ending laundry pile. Here are 10 sustainable cleaning tips to streamline your laundry routine. That way, the laundry basket stays manageable, the environment stays happy, and so do you!
1. Set up a regular laundry schedule
Planning is half the battle. Start with a simple but effective laundry schedule. Decide which days or times you’ll do the laundry and stick to it as much as possible. For example: colourful children’s clothes on Monday, towels on Wednesday and bedding on Friday. By scheduling fixed laundry days, you prevent dirty laundry from building up uncontrollably. With a consistent schedule, everyone in the house knows when it’s “laundry day” – and that prevents surprises (such as that football kit that suddenly needs washing the very same morning!).
My personal tip: “One load a day keeps the laundry mountain away.” 🍃 It’s better to run a small load every day than to be overwhelmed by a marathon laundry session at the weekend. Especially with children, there’s something to wash every day – from mud-splattered rain trousers to cuddly toys that have ended up in the mud. By doing one load each day, the work doesn’t pile up and the mountain stays manageable. An added benefit: your washing machine runs fuller loads at a lower temperature, which is more sustainable than an overloaded, high-speed laundry marathon at the weekend.
2. Provide enough laundry baskets (and collect laundry smartly)
“Where’s that sock gone now?” Dirty laundry scattered throughout the house can make you feel like you’ll never finish. The solution: strategically placed laundry baskets! Put a laundry basket in every bedroom, plus an extra basket in the bathroom or on the landing. That way, nobody has an excuse to leave T-shirts lying on the floor. 🚀 Bonus points for a separate laundry basket by the back door for muddy sports clothes – they can come off and go straight into the basket there, instead of leaving a trail of mud through the house.
Make sure the laundry baskets are easily accessible and in the right place. A laundry basket hidden away in a corner doesn’t exactly encourage children to put their dirty clothes in it. It’s better to put them somewhere visible: in the children’s bedroom next to the wardrobe, for example, or in the bathroom where pyjamas come off. Turn it into a game for the little ones: who can dunk their dirty laundry into the basket first? 🏀 (Yes, laundry-basket basketball is a hit in our house!) The result: fewer wandering socks and pants, and a house that looks tidier straight away.
3. Sort by colour and material immediately
Want to avoid doing things twice? Then sort straight away! Teach your family not only to throw their laundry into the basket, but to sort it a little at the same time. For example, place two or three laundry baskets next to each other: one for whites, one for darks and one for bright colours. If you don’t have the space, you can sort everything yourself in the laundry room, but make sure you do it before washing. By separating laundry by colour (and, if necessary, by fabric type) in advance, you won’t have to rummage through the entire pile later looking for that one red sock among the white shirts.
Sorting smartly is sustainable: if you only run full loads of the same type (for example, all the towels together or only dark children’s clothes), you use your machine more efficiently and avoid running half-empty loads. Clothes also stay looking good for longer when washed with similar fabrics and colours. 💡 Tip: if you have the space, give each child their own laundry basket or section in the laundry room. That way, you can also wash by person and immediately know whose pile needs to go back in the wardrobe. No more searching to work out which sock belongs to which child!
4. Treat stains immediately (and sustainably)
Children and stains – they’re an inseparable duo. From mud stains after playing outside to pasta sauce on a new shirt, you know the drill. The golden rule: tackle stains as quickly as possible. The longer a stain sets, the harder it is to remove. And if you deal with stains straight away, you can avoid having to use harsh products or very hot wash programmes later. That’s better for the fabric and the environment.
Spot a new stain? Act immediately: rinse the fabric with cold water (hot water can actually set protein and blood stains) and use a little liquid detergent or stain remover to pre-treat it. For example, you can rub a splash of The Pink Stuff Sensitive Liquid Laundry Detergent directly onto the stain – this detergent is gentle on fabrics and effective against dirt. A specialist stain remover can also work wonders: simply spray a product such as The Pink Stuff Oxi Stain Spray onto the stain. Leave it to soak in for a while (following the instructions, usually for a few minutes), then put the garment in with the regular wash. Often, it will come out clean after just one wash, without hard scrubbing or bleaching.
Do you still need to scrub a little? Use a soft brush or a handy sponge instead of your fingernails. With a cheerful sponge such as the Scrub Daddy, even scrubbing stains is a little less unpleasant – that smiling face makes the job a bit more fun, even for the kids! (My son loves helping to “scrub” with that smiley sponge. Playing with foam and helping Mum – double the fun.)
5. Use the correct amount and choose the right laundry products
“The more detergent, the cleaner the laundry,” many people think. Wrong! Too much detergent can build up in your clothes and machine, and it’s a real waste for the environment. Modern detergents are often concentrated and powerful – a small dose is enough. So always read the recommended dosage on the bottle and use the supplied measuring cap or dosing ball. Your clothes won’t get any cleaner from an extra splash; on the contrary, it can leave behind soap residue that actually traps odours.
Preferably choose skin-friendly, environmentally conscious laundry products. One example is The Pink Stuff Sensitive Liquid Laundry Detergent – this liquid detergent was specially developed for sensitive skin, without harsh chemical additives. It’s concentrated, so it lasts a long time (960 ml is enough for 32 washes!). Combined with a good fabric softener, it leaves your laundry wonderfully fresh and soft. Personally, I swear by The Pink Stuff Miracle Fabric Softener. It gives my towels and bedding a lovely, long-lasting fragrance and softness, without requiring a mountain of plastic bottles.
Sustainable tip: Many modern detergents (such as those from The Pink Stuff and Fabulosa) are formulated to clean effectively at low temperatures. So you don’t need to use the 60°C setting for every load. With the right products, your laundry will also come out brilliantly clean at 30°C or 40°C – saving a significant amount of energy. And one more thing: consider refills or concentrated products. Some brands offer refill packs or cleaning concentrates that you dilute with water at home. This saves plastic (and means less carrying of heavy bottles). A win-win for you and the environment!
6. Wash energy-efficiently at a low temperature
We’ve already touched on temperature, and it’s so important that it deserves its own tip: wash at a low temperature as often as possible. These days, washing machines and detergents can work wonders at 30°C. This saves a huge amount of electricity. Colours also stay vibrant for longer and clothes are less likely to shrink at lower temperatures.
Save the hot wash programmes (60°-90°C) for exceptional cases: for example, bedding if someone has been ill (for hygiene reasons), washable nappies or heavily soiled kitchen towels. The children’s everyday clothes will get perfectly clean at 30°C, especially if you pre-treat stains as described in tip 4. And does your washing machine have an eco setting? Use it! Eco programmes wash for longer but at a lower temperature or with less rinse water, which saves energy overall. This means the washing machine may hum for an extra hour, but you can do something else in the meantime – or simply enjoy a well-deserved moment of rest.
Only run the machine when it’s reasonably full. It’s a waste to run a whole load for three T-shirts. So wait until you have a full drum (without cramming it too full, of course). A useful rule of thumb: the drum should be about 80% full, leaving enough room for the clothes to move around. That way, everything gets cleaner and you don’t waste water or energy.
7. Dry smartly: on the line or with a few tricks
The tumble dryer is convenient, but it’s not always your best friend. A tumble dryer uses a lot of energy and can wear clothes out more quickly. So whenever possible, dry your laundry on the line or on a drying rack. Fresh air and sunlight cost nothing and give your laundry a wonderfully natural scent. (Nothing beats sheets that have been hanging outside in the sunshine – an instant summer feeling in your bed! ☀️) Sunlight also helps bleach stains from white clothing and acts as a natural disinfectant.
Of course, drying outside isn’t always possible (hello, Dutch downpour 🌧️). Drying indoors on a rack works perfectly well too; just make sure there’s enough ventilation in the house to prevent damp problems. If you do need to use the tumble dryer, try a few tricks to dry more sustainably: spin your laundry at a high speed so it comes out of the washing machine as dry as possible. You can also use dryer balls (for example, wool ones) in the tumble dryer; they help the laundry tumble more effectively and shorten drying time. And sort the laundry before drying: thin T-shirts and bedding dry faster than thick jeans and jumpers, so put similar materials together in the dryer to prevent it having to run extra-long for one heavy item of clothing.
8. Keep the washing machine fresh and maintained
A well-functioning washing machine is half the battle – and it’s more sustainable too, because it lasts longer and washes more efficiently. So don’t forget to give your loyal laundry helper a clean from time to time as well. Yes, cleaning the washing machine itself is a thing! Over time, soap residue, dirt and limescale build up inside the machine, creating a breeding ground for bacteria and unpleasant smells. This can result in laundry that smells musty, even though it has just been washed. Prevention is better than cure:
- Once a month, run the empty washing machine at 90°C (or use the special drum-cleaning programme) to kill bacteria and rinse away grease and grime. Add a splash of cleaning vinegar or a special washing machine cleaner for an extra-thorough clean. For example, Fabulosa has a handy washing machine cleaner that not only cleans but also leaves behind a fresh scent.
- Clean the rubber seals and detergent drawer. Pull the drawer all the way out and rinse away any soap clumps and fabric-softener residue. You can remove stubborn build-up with a cloth and some soapy water – or use that handy Scrub Daddy sponge again to get into the corners. It doesn’t scratch and removes caked-on detergent residue in no time, with a smile!
- Don’t forget the filter at the bottom of the machine (check your manual for its location). Hair, buttons, LEGO bricks… all sorts of things from clothing pockets often collect there. A clean filter allows water to drain away more easily, making the machine more efficient.
By maintaining your washing machine properly, you improve the washing results and extend the appliance’s lifespan. A clean machine means clean laundry. And let’s be honest, nobody wants sweaty smells lingering in sports clothes because of a dirty drum. After a little maintenance, your machine (and therefore your clothes) will smell fresh again. You’ll notice that it really does make a difference!
9. Involve the children in the laundry routine
Don’t think you have to do everything yourself. Children can certainly contribute to the laundry routine – and it can be fun too! 🎶 Put on their favourite music and give each child a task suited to their age. Involve the kids, and laundry becomes a team effort instead of Mum’s daily solo act.
Young children (toddlers and preschoolers) love helping with simple tasks. Let them find their own socks and sort them by colour – turn it into a game of “match the socks”. Slightly older children can easily carry their own laundry basket to the laundry room. From around the age of 6, they can help hang up laundry: handing over all the pegs or hanging tea towels on a low drying rack. My 8-year-old daughter feels incredibly proud when she’s allowed to hang up “her laundry”. And teenagers? They can be great assistants (or learn to do it independently) when it comes to setting the washing machine. Teach them how the machine works, how to measure detergent and how to sort laundry. It’s a life skill, and you’ll benefit from it already.
Keep it light-hearted: for example, use a sticker reward system – each time they help, they get a sticker, and after X stickers, a small reward. Or agree that they can choose the music while folding. At our house, there’s often dancing while folding laundry.💃🏻 The result: the children learn responsibility, you no longer have to do everything yourself, and the laundry routine becomes more enjoyable for everyone.
10. Create a system for folding and putting clothes away (and keep it fun!)
The laundry isn’t truly finished until it’s neatly back in the wardrobes. And that’s often where things go wrong – clean laundry stays in baskets until it gets wrinkled again. Time for a structured but simple approach: fold it straight away and give everyone their pile.
Try to fold clean laundry or put it on hangers as soon as it’s dry. The sooner you do this, the fewer wrinkles there will be (hello, ironing-free score!). Collect each family member’s clean clothes in a separate basket or container. I have a separate folding basket for each child. Once the laundry is folded, each person’s pile goes into their own basket. They then take the basket to their room and put the clothes in the wardrobe themselves. I do it together with the youngest ones – a learning moment – while the older children can manage it perfectly well on their own.
Is the pile of clean laundry particularly large and discouraging? Break it into manageable chunks. Tell yourself: “I’ll fold 10 items now, then I’ll have a cup of tea.” Then do the next 10. Set a timer and turn it into a challenge (“Can I empty-fold this basket in 15 minutes?”). Or do it together with your partner or children: everyone takes a pile, chats or listens to music while folding. That way, this final step becomes not a boring chore but simply part of the routine.
Keep it light-hearted: don’t expect perfectly colour-sorted Marie Kondo drawers from your family. It’s okay if the children don’t put their clothes away as neatly as you might. The important thing is that the laundry gets put away and that they learn to do it themselves. Celebrate when the laundry baskets are empty instead of grumbling about a wonky stack of T-shirts. Letting go a little is part of it too – it saves you stress and saves them nagging.
Finally: keep it enjoyable for yourself
Organising a laundry routine with children takes a little time to get started, but once you apply these tips, you’ll see that things become smoother and smoother. Most importantly: keep a positive, light-hearted attitude. A colourful detergent with a lovely scent, a cheerful spongy helper, music while folding – it’s the little things that make this household chore much more enjoyable. Give yourself that convenience and that fun. Ultimately, having lots of laundry is also a sign of a lively, happy home full of life. 😉
So the next time you’re faced with a mountain of clothes, think: I’ve got this under control! With planning, smart tips and teamwork, you can manage the laundry even in a house full of children. Before you know it, you’ll have an empty laundry basket (even if only for a very short while – enjoy that moment!). Good luck putting these tips into practice, and remember: you’re a supermum 🦸♀️ – even when the laundry basket occasionally overflows. With a smile and a plan, you’ll go a long way. Happy washing!