It’s only my husband and I but I still maintain a laundry schedule. The big laundry job, and nastiest, is my husband’s two large loads of work laundry. I do this job on the weekend with special additives for cleaning and sanitizing. He works on the big trucks that clean out the city sewer system. It’s a yucky job. It’s a yucky job to do the laundry.
Bedding is laundered once a week. Towels are laundered once a week.
My kids do their own from start to finish from age 9 onward. They get an assigned day and their clothes and bedding and towels take two loads. We have two washers and two dryers and two people assigned to each day, except Sunday. Am I shirking my responsibilities by only doing my own, and the kitchen laundry and the laundry of those eight and under?
In my opinion no, you are not shirking, It's good for them to be able to do that. Your responsibility as manager of the home includes permission to delegate. So long as your children are capable there is no reason they shouldn't do it.
I firmly believe kids can do this work. I also think mom has to have a hand in it. Who will realize only a few underpants are actually getting washed? Who will see the holes or fraying or that only one shirt is ever worn?
I think it's a balance. But as long as you have at least one eye on it, good on you!
Your illustration reminds me that I have an automatic washer, powerful detergents and a dryer. Laundry is so much less labor intensive than it used to be!! When we were first married, my MIL offered me (as a curiosity rather than a practical necessity) the mangle they'd had on through homestead--it was a true godsend back in the day! A little context can take the sting out of the chore.
I like to remind myself that laundry (and buying/changing out seasons) is a corporal work of mercy- clothing the naked. I don't really mind laundry as I've had a good routine with it for the last 6+ years (can't actually remember when I implemented a system, but other than having to adjust it periodically because we've added more kids/kids have grown it's worked out!), but the other two are the WORST.
Thank you for reminding me I can best the mess, particularly the push to accept laundry as a fact of life. My attitude toward it has made a straightforward chore sifnificantly more difficult than needed. I'm also appreciative of the wisdom in the comments. My hope is renewed!
I am a New York City transplant living in Tuscany and laundry is a while different game here- no dryers! I'm learning. The summer was wonderful for washing all of the duvets, pillows, etc. Things dry very quickly in the summer heat here. However the fall and winter are extremely damp with lots of rain. So now I'm thinking I might need two clothes drying racks to give things like the towels room to air dry. The only problem is space! I've considered one of those hanglines that hang from the ceiling. Also drying the bed linens can be tricky as it takes everything more than two days to dry when its so damp out. Any suggestions?
I know that in Ireland people have "warming cupboards" which means they take advantage of the space near the boiler/heater.
A tall drying rack near the oven might work.
Or a long one for a hall...
Do you mean "clothes airers", that mount on the ceiling? there are different ones but basically you buy the metal and insert your own lumber: https://amzn.to/3Ukn3aM
(affiliate link)
A handy stair railing -- I often hang tablecloths and sheets on my railings upstairs.
But of course the classic Italian way is to have a line in between the houses haha
That's nice about your homeschool group! I hope they know about the SFH here... it might be good for the teenage girls! I know lots of them read the Summa, which is so gratifying!
Interestingly enough, some mothers find substack to be a bit overwhelming. And yes others have mentioned having Summa , which is now on my wishlist. You’ve brought up an interesting point about sharing SFH with my daughter. She is 9 years old but is passionate about homemaking.
I hesitate because I actually don't think children should have devices/be online at all!
But for teens who might have email and some access, it might be a nice resource for them.
Parental discretion!
For a 9 yo who loves homemaking, I suggest the Betty Crocker cookbook (the old-fashioned one with the spiral binding) the Good Housekeeping Housekeeping Book which can be found on used book sites.
I quite agree with you! No devices for children. But I’d read your articles aloud. Thanks for the suggestion - I will look into getting Betty Crockers spiral bound book!
another great illustration
or carving
It’s only my husband and I but I still maintain a laundry schedule. The big laundry job, and nastiest, is my husband’s two large loads of work laundry. I do this job on the weekend with special additives for cleaning and sanitizing. He works on the big trucks that clean out the city sewer system. It’s a yucky job. It’s a yucky job to do the laundry.
Bedding is laundered once a week. Towels are laundered once a week.
I thank God for your husband! Sanitation workers will ever garner my deepest appreciation for all the hard, yucky, hidden work they do!
Thank you. It is a thankless job, not one people think about.
My kids do their own from start to finish from age 9 onward. They get an assigned day and their clothes and bedding and towels take two loads. We have two washers and two dryers and two people assigned to each day, except Sunday. Am I shirking my responsibilities by only doing my own, and the kitchen laundry and the laundry of those eight and under?
In my opinion no, you are not shirking, It's good for them to be able to do that. Your responsibility as manager of the home includes permission to delegate. So long as your children are capable there is no reason they shouldn't do it.
Well it sounds like you’re still doing quite a bit yourself between yours, husband’s, little ones, and kitchen. :)
I think the key is that you can really keep everything moving with two sets of washer/dryers! That sounds awesome.
I firmly believe kids can do this work. I also think mom has to have a hand in it. Who will realize only a few underpants are actually getting washed? Who will see the holes or fraying or that only one shirt is ever worn?
I think it's a balance. But as long as you have at least one eye on it, good on you!
Your illustration reminds me that I have an automatic washer, powerful detergents and a dryer. Laundry is so much less labor intensive than it used to be!! When we were first married, my MIL offered me (as a curiosity rather than a practical necessity) the mangle they'd had on through homestead--it was a true godsend back in the day! A little context can take the sting out of the chore.
Laundry: it is what it is!
Learning to love what must be done is the path to contentment— but especially with laundry!
And it’s important to know your own soil— we have Georgia red clay, and sometimes need to wash or use additives that deal with it particularly.
I wash all the towels and washcloths daily. I can’y let anything sit— I guess the humidity delays drying on the rack. But I’m okay with it.
I like to remind myself that laundry (and buying/changing out seasons) is a corporal work of mercy- clothing the naked. I don't really mind laundry as I've had a good routine with it for the last 6+ years (can't actually remember when I implemented a system, but other than having to adjust it periodically because we've added more kids/kids have grown it's worked out!), but the other two are the WORST.
Thank you for reminding me I can best the mess, particularly the push to accept laundry as a fact of life. My attitude toward it has made a straightforward chore sifnificantly more difficult than needed. I'm also appreciative of the wisdom in the comments. My hope is renewed!
I am a New York City transplant living in Tuscany and laundry is a while different game here- no dryers! I'm learning. The summer was wonderful for washing all of the duvets, pillows, etc. Things dry very quickly in the summer heat here. However the fall and winter are extremely damp with lots of rain. So now I'm thinking I might need two clothes drying racks to give things like the towels room to air dry. The only problem is space! I've considered one of those hanglines that hang from the ceiling. Also drying the bed linens can be tricky as it takes everything more than two days to dry when its so damp out. Any suggestions?
I know that in Ireland people have "warming cupboards" which means they take advantage of the space near the boiler/heater.
A tall drying rack near the oven might work.
Or a long one for a hall...
Do you mean "clothes airers", that mount on the ceiling? there are different ones but basically you buy the metal and insert your own lumber: https://amzn.to/3Ukn3aM
(affiliate link)
A handy stair railing -- I often hang tablecloths and sheets on my railings upstairs.
But of course the classic Italian way is to have a line in between the houses haha
Yes! Thank you for this- we have a fireplace and will have to make use of it daily for the laundry’s sake. I've forgotten!
The link you shared is what I mean- I’m looking into purchasing as well. Thank you so much for brainstorming with me.
Btw, I shared some of your laundry articles with a homeschool group in the US and so many moms already knew about your work and your books- BravA!!!
Great! Happy to help!
That's nice about your homeschool group! I hope they know about the SFH here... it might be good for the teenage girls! I know lots of them read the Summa, which is so gratifying!
Interestingly enough, some mothers find substack to be a bit overwhelming. And yes others have mentioned having Summa , which is now on my wishlist. You’ve brought up an interesting point about sharing SFH with my daughter. She is 9 years old but is passionate about homemaking.
I hesitate because I actually don't think children should have devices/be online at all!
But for teens who might have email and some access, it might be a nice resource for them.
Parental discretion!
For a 9 yo who loves homemaking, I suggest the Betty Crocker cookbook (the old-fashioned one with the spiral binding) the Good Housekeeping Housekeeping Book which can be found on used book sites.
I quite agree with you! No devices for children. But I’d read your articles aloud. Thanks for the suggestion - I will look into getting Betty Crockers spiral bound book!