Laundry Acquisition and Distribution Center
Consider:
“Laundry is America’s favorite cleaning task, according to the American Cleaning Institute’s (ACI) 2019 National Cleaning Survey.” Don’t believe me? Read “Loads of Fun? Survey Finds Laundry Tops List of America’s Favorite Cleaning Tasks.” Then, immerse yourself in even more interesting and exciting cleaning news on the American Cleaning Institute (ACI) website. Remember: Learning is fun!
The Laundry Acquisition and Distribution Center
“Laundry Acquisition and Distribution Center” is the name I have given to the room in our house where items to be laundered are received and then later reclaimed. The Laundry Acquisition and Distribution Center (LADC) has some simple rules:
Bring your items to the LADC and sort them by kind and color into the designated bins
Return later that same day to reclaim items to be properly distributed to their rightful places
I am in the business of laundry acquisition and distribution. Most days, I don’t have to go looking for business. The depositing of items to be laundered occurs frequently in the LADC, aka the laundry room. I admit that some days I need to solicit business by traveling door to door (bedroom doors, bathroom doors), calling for items to be laundered. I wouldn’t want to miss out on any miscellaneous or overlooked items before starting the washing process. There is no pleasure to be found in the moment when you realize the uniform needed for practice tomorrow didn’t make it into the wash.
How did I get into this business? Quite naturally. Like any good businesswoman, I had to secure an invested partner (my husband) and create a strong client base (our four children). It is a thriving family business. There is seldom a day when there is no laundry to be done. Take a minute to think about this: All items received into the LADC have been laundered and distributed, and that’s a win! But what about all the clothing presently on the bodies that keep this a thriving business? You thought correctly; tomorrow will be another day in the business of laundry acquisition and distribution–it is a business that will never cease to exist!
All clients of the LADC are well-trained in the art and necessity of sorting by color, fabric type, and washing temperatures. The manager (me) aims for perfection, but is not contractually responsible for sorting mishaps or items left in pockets. Most days, this is a well-oiled machine, and we have nothing but satisfied customers. If there are complaints, I simply direct them to the complaint department, which has very limited hours of operation and/or is closed due to understaffing.
In all seriousness, whether you are single or living with a houseful, laundry is part of all of our daily lives and deserves some consideration:
Develop some routines. My kids had PE three times a week, which meant being on top of laundry to ensure those items were laundered and available to be packed. Tip: Keep PE and sports bags near the laundry room. There is no need for those items to go back in dresser drawers. Put them directly in the dedicated bag(s), thereby eliminating a step in getting ready for school and out the door. Make gains wherever you can!
Set specific guidelines. I recall doing laundry in college and at laundromats while living in my first apartment. Clear guidelines for machine use and considerations for other users were posted on the walls. It worked for the most part. People generally rise to the occasion if clear expectations are set. Note: My family does a great job of sorting the laundry, but in our house, I do the bulk of the washing and drying. I am more mindful of fiber content, stain removal, and knowing what goes in the dryer and what does not. I have passed this knowledge on to our kids. Our three adult daughters and our teenage son understand that clothing and linens are an investment. No one wants to throw money away on careless laundry habits. (But if I find $5 in your pocket, I might consider it a tip!)
Know your machines. Take time to become familiar with the settings of the washer and dryer you are using. Not all machines are alike. Older models have fewer frills and are seemingly more straightforward to navigate, but newer models feature smart technology that can help you save on wear and tear on your laundry and conserve water while doing so.
Create an organized and user-friendly space. Our laundry room is small, but organized. Detergents and stain removal products are easily accessible. Hangers are organized by size and type. Mesh laundry bags of varying sizes are used for delicates. The drying rack and ironing board are foldable and stored behind the laundry room door. The iron and steamer are kept in a metal bin to keep any plastic from melting while those items are still hot. Soon, I plan to elevate this space by painting or wallpapering the walls. I’ll update this post with pictures once it is done. Tip: Use the same mesh bags used for delicates to launder undergarments and socks. Dedicate bags to individuals and item types so each person’s items stay separate from the rest. Delicate undergarments should be hung to dry, but socks can be kept in the mesh bag and tossed in the dryer. I don’t always provide the service of pairing socks, especially uniform and gym socks that are all alike. The bag can go directly into the sock drawer. I give in on caring what their sock drawers look like!
If you have any specific laundry hacks or tips you would like to share, please fill out the contact information below. I will add or link them to this post and give you a shout-out for sharing your brilliance!