Washing for a large family

thriftwizard

Anywhere between 5-9 of us here, averaging 7, youngest 17, several deeply into mud of one sort or another - football, rural walks, animal husbandry, gardening. We also have a Bosch which beeps and takes up to 10.5 Kg washing; it's been worth every penny that it cost us over and above a "normal" washing machine price. It's about 5 years old now & still going strong; never misses a beat unless the filter's clogged. I do have a tumble dryer & really needed one when the kids were smaller, but it's hardly ever used now; I dry outside whenever possible, on a Sheila Maid ceiling hanger indoors when it isn't, and have an over-stair hanger and one of the Lakeland heated airers too, which gets a fair bit of use in winter though I do suspect DS3 of using it as a room heater.

I'm working mostly from home & tend to do at least one wash every day to keep on top of it all, but can cope with doing it less often if I have to; I just warn people they're not going to get stuff dry straight away if the forecast is for wet weather or I have a lot of outside work on. I fairly often put stuff aside to be done the next day when there's more the same - i.e. towels can wait for more towels, or sports kit for more sports kit - so that things are getting washed appropriately, but am also fairly hot on not washing stuff that isn't actually dirty. They all know how to work the machine if they disagree, but it's amazing how little they choose to, and how well they cope if they have to wear something that's been worn before - and their friends still speak to them!

jackyann

I am a few years away from this, but I do remember it (4 kids, work clothes & rugby kit)!
This is what we did:
Like Molly41, organise "sorting" at the point it goes into baskets.
Usually 2 washes a day: the higher temp one goes through "overnight" and the lower or "delicate" one during the day
Use washing line, ceiling airer, clothes horse or whatever to dry as much as poss, then into the airing cupboard.
If you have really dirty stuff / a bed wetter / other soiling, keep a large bucket in the bathroom / garage / wherever best to soak immediately
Allocate time morning & evening (rope kids in as a regular chore / split with OH, whatever works) to do the following - used to take about 10 mins:
empty airing cupboard - I kept a plastic basket for each child & put their things in it + a basket or rail on the landing for ironing
move stuff from line or airer to airing cupboard or ironing basket
washing from machine to line or airer
new load into machine

Now ironing is another matter!

Molly41

I have a Bosch and cant praise it enough - it is a work horse and very reliable.

My best advice is to make a concerted effort to clear it and then keep on top of it using all the brilliant tips.

Oh and the sniff test might be another idea - although Id draw the line at pants and socks:eek:

Mismatched

There's 3 of us, including a 6 month old, my OH works 2 jobs both in uniform, so it's kind of never ending here. I'm usually up at 5am with baby so take the oportunity to get a load of washing and a load in the dryer while the electric is still cheap (meter is on economy 7 until 6-30am).

YORKSHIRELASS

Since becoming more cost conscious I am washing clothes less. Most things can be worn several times before washing, especially in winter. Thats not to say that if something is smelly or has something spilt on it it shouldnt be washed but I am not a believer in washing things after every wear!

My son puts a clean white shirt on for school every day but his trousers and jumper can last up to 3 days.

Everyone here has their own towels so these can be used a few times before they need to be washed. Same with bedding, I like to wash it once a week but have been known to leave it longer in winter if the weather is bad.

Oh and reading this back I should say pants, socks and the like do go in the wash every day!!!

MadelinesMum

Thanks for all your useful replies. I'm feeling a bit better about it now and am determined to get on top of the washing! I think once the "mountain" has diminished then I can keep on top of it.

I think you are right about wearing clothes more than once - I even smell tested my daughters hoodie she had put in for wash, folded it and put it back in her drawer!

Ilona

Check clothes. If they don't smell and are not visibly dirty, fold and put back in the cupboard, or hang in the wardrobe.
Get teenagers to be responsible for their own clothes and wash them.
Use the 30 minutes wash on lightly soiled clothes.
Ilona

shirlgirl2004

I don't have 6 in the house any more but when I did I just put a load on when I had enough whites or whatever. I think letting teenagers do their own washing wastes energy because they will often want something washing and not have a full load.

OrkneyStar

Ilona wrote: »

Check clothes. If they don't smell and are not visibly dirty, fold and put back in the cupboard, or hang in the wardrobe.
Get teenagers to be responsible for their own clothes and wash them.
Use the 30 minutes wash on lightly soiled clothes.
Ilona

Yes, though bare in mind they may not smell when you take them off, but if there is any sweat there it will start to smell. Best to take off, lay to side, then smell a few hours later, just to be safe. Of course this is mainly for teenagers/adults, not littlies!

LolaLemon

Molly41 wrote: »

Oh and the sniff test might be another idea - although Id draw the line at pants and socks:eek:

yes, we have more than enough pants, socks, vests and bra's to last us about 2 weeks of no washing, i generally put these in with the jammies/towels, and try and put the white pants in the white wash.