It’s a truth most of us reluctantly admit—laundry is never-ending. Just when you think you’ve conquered the last pile, another shirt, pair of socks, or mystery towel magically appears. Falling behind on laundry can easily happen, especially when life gets busy. But with a little planning, you can stay on top of your laundry game without the stress. Creating a consistent routine doesn’t have to be complicated, and these simple tips can make a big difference in keeping things running smoothly.

Acknowledge the Laundry Struggle

Before we jump into solutions, it’s important to recognize why laundry tends to spiral out of control. For some, it’s a lack of time. For others, it’s forgetting that a load is even sitting in the washer until it’s, well, funky. And who can blame you? Life is full of responsibilities, and laundry doesn’t exactly rank high on the list of fun activities. However, when laundry piles up, it adds unnecessary stress to your day. Telling yourself, “I’ll do it tomorrow,” only leads to bigger, scarier piles.

The good news? With a structure in place, laundry becomes less of a dreaded chore and more of a manageable, easy-to-check-off task.

Set Specific Laundry Days

One of the easiest ways to stay consistent is by assigning dedicated laundry days each week. Find what works best for your schedule—maybe it’s Mondays and Thursdays, or perhaps Sunday is your reset day where you knock it all out before the week starts.

Stick to your chosen schedule as closely as possible, treating it like an appointment you can’t skip. Once you turn laundry days into a routine, it becomes a habit—just like brushing your teeth or watering the plants. And remember, depending on how much laundry your household generates, you may need more than one laundry day, so adjust as needed.

Pro Tip: Break it down further by assigning specific tasks to different days. For example, wash whites on Tuesday, towels on Friday, and bedding every other Sunday. Having a mini-schedule inside your routine makes it even easier.

Sort Smart, Not Hard

Sorting clothes doesn't have to be a Herculean task. Make it easier on yourself by setting up multiple hampers or bins in your laundry area. Label them for categories like "lights,” "darks,” and “towels.” This way, clothes are pre-sorted as they’re tossed into the hamper, saving you precious time on laundry day.

If you’re super short on space and hampers aren’t an option, get into the habit of sorting clothes the night before your laundry day. It only takes a few minutes, and it’ll speed up the process when it’s time to start washing.

Pro Tip: Teach your kids (if they’re old enough), spouse, or roommates to pre-sort their clothes. The more you delegate, the less you’ll have to sort!

Get the Whole Family On Board

Speaking of delegating, laundry isn’t just a one-person job. If you live with others, make them part of the routine. Teach your kids how to sort and fold clothes—it’s an important life skill, after all. For teens and adults in the household, give each person their “own laundry day” to handle their clothes.

Younger kids can help too! Show them how to pair socks, fold small towels, or even put their clothes away. Turn it into a fun activity by playing music or turning it into a race to see who can fold an item the fastest (but neatly, of course). Sharing the responsibility takes so much pressure off, and it’s a great way to teach teamwork.

Technology Makes Life Easier

Today’s technology can do more than just keep you entertained—it can help you stay on top of laundry, too. Use the alarm or timer on your phone to remind you to switch clothes over from washer to dryer. This helps avoid that dreaded “oh no” moment when you realize your clothes have been sitting wet for hours.

Laundry apps can also save the day by keeping track of loads and sending reminders. Some smart washers even come with apps that notify you when your laundry is done! If you don’t have a smart setup, sticky notes on the washer or dryer work just as well for quick reminders.

Fold It Immediately (Yes, Really)

One of the biggest challenges when it comes to laundry isn’t washing or drying—it’s folding and putting it away. It’s far too easy to leave clean piles sitting in a basket, but that habit just creates room for more procrastination.

The simplest trick? Do it right away. The moment your clothes come out of the dryer, take five minutes to fold and sort them. Then commit to putting them away before starting the next load. It seems tedious at first, but you’ll thank yourself when you realize you’re no longer digging through unfolded piles to find a specific item.

Pro Tip: Use the “one load at a time” rule. This way, you’re only dealing with one manageable batch instead of feeling overwhelmed by three full hampers.

Make it Enjoyable

Yes, laundry can be enjoyable—or at least tolerable—with the right little hacks. Put on your favorite playlist, podcast, or TV show as you fold or load clothes. Reward yourself with a small treat (like a fancy coffee or five minutes of phone time) once you’ve completed a batch. Turning laundry into a multitasking event or giving yourself small incentives can make the process feel less like a chore.

Stay Committed to the Routine

Routines only work if you stick to them, so it’s important to commit. Even if you have a busy week or unexpected plans pop up, find a way to squeeze in 20 minutes for a small load here or there. Simplifying tasks (like pre-sorting or setting alarms) can help keep you on track, especially when life gets hectic.

It might also help to remind yourself that laundry doesn’t have to be perfect—just consistent. It's okay if everything doesn’t get put away the same day, as long as you stay relatively caught up.

A Laundry Routine You’ll Love

Having a consistent laundry routine means fewer last-minute scrambles, fresher clothes, and less stress. It takes a little time to develop good habits, but once you see how much easier the process becomes, you might even start looking forward to your designated laundry days.

With the tips above—like setting a schedule, sorting smarter, and involving others—your laundry routine will feel less like a never-ending mountain and more like a manageable hill. Stick with it, and you’ll never fall behind again. You’ve got this!