How I Manage Laundry for a Large Family Without Losing My Mind

Why Laundry Became My Breaking Point

There were days when the laundry didn’t just pile up — it taunted me. With five kids, socks seemed to multiply like rabbits, and I couldn’t remember the last time I saw the bottom of the laundry basket. In the middle of school runs, math tests, and meltdowns over misplaced pencil cases, laundry seemed like the least of our problems — until it wasn’t. It was the never-ending background noise of our home, always whispering, “You’re behind, again.”

If you're raising a big family, you probably know this feeling all too well. We talk a lot about homework stress, sibling rivalries, and getting dinner on the table — but laundry? Laundry felt like the invisible culprit behind my exhaustion… until I changed my approach.

Routines That Respect Every Child — and Your Sanity

Real organization starts with respecting your family’s unique rhythm. I tried dozens of systems before I found one that didn’t just keep the clothes in rotation, but actually brought a sense of calm to our week.

What finally worked for us wasn’t a strict chore chart or folding everything KonMari style. It was realizing that each child, just like in school, needed something tailored to them. That same mindset shift — seeing each child as an individual — helped us with home routines beyond laundry too.

Our Weekly Laundry Flow (That Actually Works)

I stopped trying to do all the laundry in one day. With kids in school full-time and afternoons full of homework and music practice, it just wasn't working. Here’s how we found our flow:

• Monday-Wednesday: One child’s laundry each day. This helps them recognize their own clothing and puts accountability into their rhythm.
• Thursday: Parents’ laundry. (Because yes, we matter too.)
• Friday: Bedding and towels. Everyone helps strip the beds — it becomes a 10-minute team effort.
• Saturday: Folding party. For 30 minutes in the morning, we fold together. Sometimes I play an audiobook or let the kids listen to part of their favorite lesson reimagined through an app like Skuli, which turns school material into epic audio stories where they’re the hero — perfect while they match socks.

Empowering Kids to Pitch In (Without Major Pushback)

At first, getting the kids involved was a struggle — just like getting them to sit down for homework. But I learned that the key wasn’t to insist, it was to involve. We talked about the family as a team, and how everyone’s effort helps cut down on stress — especially mine.

Now, certain children are in charge of switching loads or bringing baskets downstairs. One of my daughters even designated herself the unofficial sock-matcher queen. There’s ownership and pride, and I no longer carry the whole burden alone.

This same shift in responsibility has helped us in other routines too, like creating calm around homework time. When children feel some control, they resist less.

Letting Go of Perfection — and Folding Techniques

Here’s permission to stop caring about perfectly folded T-shirts. I still refold certain things (OK, often), but I don’t correct the kids anymore. Why would I discourage them from helping just to maintain an image of tidy drawers?

This doesn’t mean we let chaos reign. But it does mean letting go of small standards that eat up our energy. I've chosen peace over perfection, again and again — whether it's laundry or weekly meal planning.

Making It Work With Life’s Other Demands

No system exists in a vacuum. Laundry routines only work if they flex with real life: sick days, school projects, late-night rehearsals. That flexibility is key.

Sometimes, laundry gets done while I’m reviewing vocabulary with my 9-year-old — snapping a quick photo of his science notes and turning them into a custom quiz using Skuli so he can self-test while I’m folding. Multitasking becomes a dance instead of a burden.

And sometimes, it just doesn’t get done — and that’s okay too.

The Real Goal: More Family, Less Rush

Laundry might feel like a silly place to invest emotional energy, but for me, it was symbolic. When I let it overflow, I felt like I was failing. When I tried to control every sock, I burned out.

Now, I use it as a barometer: Are we operating as a team, or am I back to doing everything myself? It’s one of several touchpoints I use to make sure our home is running on cooperation, not chaos. Just like I ask myself whether my child’s dread of homework might mean we need to rethink our approach or embrace tools that turn challenges into stories they actually want to engage with.

Because at the end of the day, whether it’s managing laundry or finishing a math chapter, what we’re really trying to do is the same — raise balanced families while protecting our own well-being.