Laundry Strategies That Work
Let’s be honest: laundry is one of those chores that never ends. The clothes keep coming, the baskets keep filling, and the socks… well, they’re probably hanging out in another dimension by now.
But here’s the thing—you don’t have to do laundry the “standard” way for it to work. You deserve a system that actually fits your brain, your body, and your lifestyle. So let’s break down some practical, no-judgment laundry strategies that make this chore way less painful.
1) Hate sorting? Skip it.
If sorting laundry feels like climbing Mount Everest, here’s a no-sorting method for you:
Get two bins for each category of clothing (like tops, jeans, shorts, skirts, underwear, etc).
One bin is for clean clothes, one bin is for dirty.
When the dirty bin is full—boom, that’s one load. Wash it and toss it all back into the clean bin.
Zero sorting. Zero stress. With this method, your system is the sorter. You’ll never have to separate socks from shirts again.
This strategy is especially good for:
Families with kids. Each kid can have their own set of bins, which keeps clothes from mixing.
Busy professionals. When time is tight, knowing that a full bin = one full load is a mental lifesaver.
Low-energy days. If sorting feels overwhelming, this keeps things simple and predictable.
The end result? Fewer piles, less decision fatigue, and laundry that actually gets done.
Check out this video explaining the No-Sort Laundry Strategy below:
2) Never get around to putting clothes away? Don’t worry about it.
Let’s be real—if you never get around to putting laundry away, you’re not alone. The folding step is where most people stall out, and it’s also the least necessary part of the process. Here’s a secret: you don’t need a dresser.
Instead, build yourself a simple laundry basket dresser. It’s exactly what it sounds like: a shelf or frame that holds stackable laundry baskets, turning them into “drawers.” Each basket is its own category: t-shirts, jeans, pajamas, socks, workout clothes—you name it. When laundry comes out of the dryer, skip the folding and just toss items into the right basket.
This system works because:
It’s fast. No folding, no tucking clothes into drawers.
It’s functional. Everything is visible and easy to grab.
It’s family-friendly. Kids can manage their own baskets without worrying about “messing up” folded piles.
It’s customizable. You can build a unit (like in the photo above) or just stack baskets in a corner.
And here’s the thing: living out of baskets isn’t “wrong.” It’s just different. If your brain or lifestyle doesn’t line up with traditional furniture, that doesn’t mean you’re failing at organization—it means you’re ready for a system that actually works for you.
Pro tip: Use different colored baskets or clip-on labels so you can spot categories at a glance. That way, even if clothes are tossed in quickly, you’ll always know where to find what you need.
3) Always losing your stuff in the mix of everyone else’s? Assign laundry days.
If your family’s clothes always end up in one giant mixed-up pile, here’s a sanity saver: give each person their own laundry day.
Mondays: Mom’s laundry.
Tuesdays: Dad’s laundry.
Wednesdays: Kid #1’s laundry.
Thursdays: Kid #2’s laundry.
No one shares a day, so there’s no sock-swapping or “is this mine or yours?” confusion.
But here’s the key: each person needs to start and finish their laundry in that one day. That means washing, drying, and putting it away (or at least getting it back into their basket system). When everyone has a dedicated day to complete their load, the washer and dryer stay open for the next person—and the clothes never pile up in “laundry limbo.”
This system is especially great for big families, roommates, or anyone tired of losing track of whose jeans are in the dryer. It creates clear boundaries, makes accountability easy, and gives each person total ownership of their laundry.
Pro tip: For younger kids, “finishing” can just mean returning their basket of clean clothes to their room. That way they learn the routine without it feeling overwhelming.
4) Forgetting laundry until it smells funky? Tech can help.
We’ve all done it—you start a load, get distracted, and only remember it when you catch that dreaded mildew smell. Now you’re washing the same load twice (or three times), wasting water, time, and energy.
The solution? Let technology do the remembering for you.
Set a timer on your phone. Most washers take about 40–60 minutes per cycle. As soon as you press start, set an alarm so you’re nudged to switch it over.
Use NFC tags or QR codes. Stick one on your washer or dryer. When you tap your phone to it, you can set a custom reminder to buzz you when the load is done—or even every time you walk past the machine.
Upgrade to a smart plug. Some smart plugs can notify you when the energy draw changes (a.k.a. when your washer stops running).
Leverage smart home assistants. If you have Alexa, Google Home, or Siri, just say “remind me in 50 minutes to switch the laundry.” Easy.
For visual reminders, try putting a bright sticky note on your door handle or flipping a laundry magnet on the fridge to “WASHING” when a load is running.
The big takeaway: forgetting doesn’t mean you’re lazy. Laundry is a background chore, and our brains weren’t designed to keep timers running all day. A little automation removes the mental load—and the mildew smell.
5. Low-spoon day hacks: bins beat hangers.
If you live with depression, chronic illness, or just plain exhaustion, you don’t have to force yourself to hang every single item.
One of my clients who struggled with long-term depression set up mesh laundry baskets labeled “tops,” “jeans,” and “socks.” On low-energy days, he could just toss things into the right bin. On better days, he’d hang clothes up. The system flexed with his energy level, so he never had to feel guilty about falling behind.
Organization should support you, not shame you.
You can also do this with hanging organizers like this one: https://amzn.to/46k0wRV
6. Outfits ready-to-go = stress-free mornings.
If the most stressful part of your morning routine is putting together an outfit, this system is about to change your life. Instead of using your closet in the “standard” way—with everything hanging in one long row—you can transform it into an outfit station using tension rods and baskets (like in the photo to the left).
Here’s how it works:
Install parallel tension rods across your closet.
Angle baskets on top of the rods so they act like mini drawers.
Dedicate each basket to a full outfit: shirt, pants, accessories, and even socks.
You can also use large labeled bags for each outfit and keep multiples in each basket.
This simple shift gives you a grab-and-go system where everything you need is in one place.
It’s like meal-prepping your wardrobe—grab and go, no decision fatigue.
Why it works:
Zero decision fatigue. You don’t waste mental energy figuring out what goes together. Just grab a basket and go.
Built-in flexibility. You can prep a week’s worth of work outfits, set aside baskets for specific activities (gym gear, casual Friday, date night), or rotate them seasonally.
Kid-friendly. Parents love this system for school mornings—kids can grab a ready basket without arguments or mismatched socks.
Perfect for neurodivergent brains. If visual order helps you, this system makes outfits visible and accessible instead of hidden in drawers.
No more piles. Clothes stay contained and wrinkle-free instead of ending up on the floor.
Pro Tips:
Add a label or polaroid photo to the front of each basket so you can see the outfit at a glance.
If you’re short on space, use labeled gallon-sized bags inside each basket—you can prep multiple outfits per basket without clutter.
Rotate outfits weekly so you don’t get bored, and swap out baskets seasonally for a built-in closet reset.
Think of it like meal-prepping, but for your wardrobe. A little setup saves you tons of stress every morning, so you can start the day calm, not chaotic.
Cool Laundry Helpers You’ll Love
Sometimes the smallest tools make the biggest difference. Here are a few worth trying:
Color Catchers: No more separating lights and darks. These little sheets let you toss everything into one load without worrying about dye transfer.
Dryer Balls: Replace dryer sheets with wool or silicone balls. They cut drying time, reduce static, and help remove pet hair from clothing.
Mesh Bags: Perfect for socks, bras, and delicates. They keep items separate, so nothing gets tangled.
Folding Boards: If you actually like neat stacks, a folding board makes it quick and uniform. Great for kids, too!
Laundry Cart on Wheels: If hauling baskets across the house feels like a workout, a rolling cart is your new best friend.
Wheelchair Friendly Laundry Carrier: This apron is lightweight, but strong! Just throw it on, make your way over to the dryer, load it up, and boom. You can now use both hands to steer yourself while still being able to hold your laundry.
Adding just one or two of these tools can turn laundry from frustrating to almost effortless.
The golden rule: own less.
At the end of the day, the best laundry strategy is having less laundry. When you own fewer clothes, there’s less to wash, fold, and trip over. Minimalism = freedom (and way fewer sock hunts).
Laundry doesn’t have to be a battle. Pick the tricks that fit your life, let go of the rest, and remember—there’s no “wrong” way to get it done.
