appendix 2
The key to finding a system that works for you is (1) understanding the function of the care task, (2) realizing there is no “right” way, only the right way for your family, and (3) creating a system around your habits (not habits around your system). For those reasons, the only person who can tell you what system is right for you is you. Below I’ll share with you some ideas and questions to get you thinking. Remember, it takes time to find what works!
laundry Family closet: Many families with small children elect to put everyone’s clothes in the same big closet (or room). This makes dressing everyone in the morning easier, putting away laundry faster (since it all goes into one location), and usually centralizes where the dirty laundry ends up. Bonus points if you can place this location near the washer and dryer.
No-fold baskets: How much of your laundry really needs to be folded? Certainly not underwear, pajamas, or athletic shorts. How much stress and time could you save if you instead sorted unfolded laundry into baskets? If you do other people’s laundry, can you sort into personalized baskets and allow them to fend for themselves for folding?
Hang it all: Some people find that hanging everything straight from the dryer is a more manageable system. Hanging makes it easier to see everything and arguably takes less time than folding. No room in the closet to hang everything? You can hang it anywhere, like on a rack in your bedroom.
Category washing: If you washed loads by person or by type of clothing you wouldn’t have to spend time sorting. Taking that time or hassle off the task can make all the difference for some people
Explore different rhythms: For some people, washing a small load every day is more manageable. For others, having a designated washday is preferable since they don’t have to think about laundry but once a week.
Downsize: Having less clothes might be the answer for your laundry woes. If you had fewer clothes on hand laundry loads would be smaller. However, if you missed a day you might end up with no clean underwear!
Color palette wardrobe: One way to downsize your closet (and therefore your laundry) without sacrificing the number of outfits you have is to do a color palette wardrobe. By picking up four to six complementary colors you can ensure that fewer pieces can make more outfits. Bonus points that the stress of dressing is cut down because everything goes with everything.
Outsource it: Can you afford a wash and fold or for someone to come and do your laundry? If laundry is really your bugbear, why not outsource it completely and move on with your awesome life?
dishes
Closing duties: Making daily dishes a part of your closing duties allows you to do a manageable load every day without having to try to “keep up” all day long.
Lighter dishes: If you have energy or mobility limitations, switching heavy glass dishes out for light plastic dishes can make the task of doing dishes less draining. Even mentally, lighter dishes can make the task feel less burdensome.
One dish per person: Some families have luck assigning each person one cup, plate, and bowl (sometimes color coded). Those old enough are responsible for their own dishes and the limited amount means you never end up with an overwhelming sink full of dishes.
Right into the dishwasher: If you have a dishwasher, consider taking the time to unload your dishwasher first thing in the morning (perhaps even getting up a little earlier to do so).
That way, every dish that is dirtied can be placed straight into the dishwasher.
Paper plates: If you have barriers that make doing your dishes a serious impediment to your quality of life, consider switching to paper plates, even if just for a season. Postpartum, bereavement, depressive episodes, and health problems are seasons that require all of your energy and attention.
Dirty-dish station: Getting a drying rack just for dirty dishes can mean that when it comes time to wash them or load them into the dishwasher you feel less overwhelmed. This is because the dishes are organized in a way that is not visually overwhelming. Some families find that purchasing a dish tub really increases the functionality of their space. This way, dirty dishes can be placed into the tub, keeping the sink clear for other needs.
Extra silverware rack: I found that fishing the dirty silverware out of a gross sink was a huge sticking point for me. I bought a second dishwasher dish caddy and put it on the counter so I can throw dirty utensils in it all day and then just switch it out with the clean one at the end of the day!
Category washing: If your stage of life is such that dishes just seem to pile up, taking the time to place your dishes into categories before washing can help with feeling overwhelmed.
storage and organization
Baskets: Often the difference between messy and organized is a well- placed basket. The key is to put the basket where you are already making messes. Shoe pile by the front door? Basket. Laundry on the stairs? Basket. Trash on your nightstand? (Trash) basket.
Vertical junk drawer: If you have junk drawers or bins, a clear hanging shoe rack on the wall or back of a door can ensure you always have a place for small items and that you can see them all easily.
Visual storage: Some people love to see clear surfaces and open rooms. But not everyone cares for that aesthetic or needs that type of function. If you wish to have your items visible, you can design your own storage systems around that. Clear bins, 3M hooks on walls, trays, and extra open shelves are all ways to give each item a place and keep it out for ease of use and memory.
Trays: There are currently forty items sitting on my kitchen island. Yet it looks tidy because those items are compiled onto a large decorative lazy Susan, in a glass fruit bowl,
in a cloth basket of baby snacks, and on four “to-do” trays. Even with the containers there is plenty of open space giving function for all things cooking, hobbying, and working.
Closets do not have rules: I once realized my hallway closet was a bit of a one-way street. I was always putting (and eventually cramming) things in, including coats, but almost never taking anything out. I had a hard time remembering what was in it and so mounted a bar of hooks on the outside to hold one jacket and one raincoat per family member. After realizing the one downstairs closet was a silly place to hold items almost never accessed, I relocated all the inside items to an upstairs closet, installed shelves, and used it instead for storing items previously cluttering up the kitchen and living room. Closets have no rules, you see. Do you have a closet that could better serve you?
Labels: As beautiful as custom-printed labels and bins are, often the pursuit of aesthetic perfection holds back real functional improvements. Post-it notes or masking tape does just fine and putting a label even on a piece of shelf denoting an item’s permanent “home” can be helpful when tidying.
Papers and mail: Important papers are often easiest to store in an accordion file. If you struggle with mail upkeep, a visual system may be helpful: writing the due date and hanging a bill from the fridge or a corkboard. Some like to scan and save sentimental items, then throw away the physical copies.
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