Large Families and Clothes

[braided-rug]

I just finished reading this article on the Duggar family website and this is very sound advice. This is where I should be heading I think.

"Laundry

Hanging clothes are kept in the ‘family closet’, a room converted into closet space just off from the laundry room. Socks, underclothes, etc. are sorted into clothes bins on top of the dryers (large square plastic dishpans) that are labeled with each family member’s name.

When laundry comes out of the dryer it can quickly be put in the clothes bins or family closet. No more shuffling clean clothes from one end of the house to the other. (They never seemed to make it to the dressers or closets, & frequently clean clothes ended up back in the dirty basket!) When we need clothes, we simply go to the family closet. Seasonal clothes are boxed or hung in ‘off limit’ closets.

Also, laundry is made easier when we wear matching colors (Mon- red, Tues- blue, etc …We call it our ‘homeschool uniforms’. We feel unified & more serious about school, like a team!) We keep socks simple, too. The girls wear white & the boys wear black."

[violet]

That's a wonderful idea, although I don't have enough space in my laundry. The hall carpet would last longer too, without the million and ten trips I make to and from everyone's rooms with their washing each day (yes, they could get it themselves but it really is a small laundry room).

[braided-rug]

We actually only have one proper wardrobe so we do this, except it is limited ie with the hanging things for the kids. Also, the little girls now have a small hanging space in their room which helps too.

The other idea, yes, I think I would have to find another room too or take out the fridge and freezer?

[braided-rug]

I guess Ikea has a system like this?

[braided-rug]

Maybe like Cara, a shelf of some kind?

[braided-rug]

I do all the sorting on my bed.

The other day I saw those cheap side tables with cane drawers. It was at the hairdressers with toys in it. I guess so the non toy people don't have to see them lol.

I wonder if I could have shelves/drawers in my room somehow? It is all vague, but you never know when some other bright idea might be added to it. Sometimes it all gets put back in the basket at storytime.

[violet]

There would surely be something at Ikea that would do the trick - those baskets in a frame things could be ok, and they'd look nice, but I wonder if they'd get very dusty if you use a dryer in the same room?

I iron in the laundry, but use the family room dining table for folding/sorting. Can't take a day off or it becomes overwhelming, and I've only got 3 kids!