Laundry can be a real issue in a big family! First thing in the morning, I have one of the kids get all of the hampers and bring them to the laundry room.
This was Nathan's job but just recently changed to Mary-Elizabeth's job.
She and I sort the laundry into baskets and then get the loads started.
I start doing the shirts in one load and the jeans and pants in the other.
Once all of these are pushed through, I start on the towels and then the
whites. As I take each load out of dryer, especially the shirts, I lay each item flat across an already-full basket.
That way I avoid having to do extra ironing.
I sort the clothing as I hang it up, preparing to have it brought to the proper closet.
Jude puts away all of the six oldest's shirts and pants, and I take care of the rest.
Nathan sorts and folds the socks, and Mary-Elizabeth does the same with the
other whites. They make sure to put them away in the right places.
Caleb and Peter help gather hangers and keep me supplied. Even David helps by cleaning out the filters of the dryers.
I save bedding and sheets for the days of the week when I am fairly caught up on laundry.
I ask the boys to strip their beds, and I push them through then. Of course, there are still times when I have to get a few loads done immediately, but
that is usually when one of the little guys has the flu.
