How to Tackle a Big Pile of Laundry

Even someone good at housekeeping might find something like laundry getting piled up. Whether it happened over time, your daughter finally cleaned out her room, or your son just came home from college, at some point you will have a big stack of laundry to get through. It may be a little intimidating, but here are some things that make it easier:

1. Make it a mission. If you try to catch up on a pile of clothes by continuing with your regular laundry routine, you're going to soon feel like you're running on a hamster wheel. Often, clothes build up as fast--or faster--than you can wash them, so already having a stack waiting makes it easy to fall further and further behind. Make it a goal, carve out some time, and focus on blasting through the laundry. 

2. Sort clothes. There are two ways you should sort clothes. The first is to sort colors and whites like you normally would, but the second is to sort things you really use and things you don't. If your laundry is backed up because you simply have too many clothes, giving some away will help lighten your load. As you sort, take inventory. If there are things you don't like much or don't wear much, set them to the side. Wash them first and donate them as soon as possible.

3. Wash, dry, fold, put away. At some point in this cycle, you're going to run across the one chore you dislike most, but keep at it. Don't wait on anything--as soon as clothes are dry, fold them. As soon as the washer finishes, put the clothes in the dryer. Move as quickly as possible and stay focused; when the laundry pile is gone, you'll be glad you did.

4. Distract!  When you get to that chore you don't like, distract yourself! Watch TV or listen to music while you fold or sort. Read a book you've been wanting to read or watch a movie while you wait for clothes to finish washing or drying. These little distractions and rewards will help keep you movtivated until the task is done.

Just like a maid service sweeps in and efficiently cleans your home, you can just as efficiently get through your laundry. When you do, you will be delighted that you stuck with it.