The Laundry Room

"Keep it clean and orderly. Decorate it cheerfully so that it won't be a trial for you to get in there and do your work. Keep the dryer and washer free from clutter on the tops. Hang shelves for your supplies and detergents. Have respect for yourself and treat your clothes with thankfulness and love. Your family is special. Each one deserves to have clothing which fits properly and has not been treated horribly by shoving all the colors and textures into one large load. All your family's clothes should be able to have the label - washed with tender loving care!"

from Treasury of Vintage Homekeeping Skills by Martha Greene

The Laundry Schedule

Monday - dish towels, bath towels, undergarments
Tuesday - white shirts, tan/gray shirts, black/blue shirts
Wednesday - maroon/red shirts, camouflage (yes, I have enough to do a separate load of camo each week!)
Thursday - light colors, dark colors
Friday - dress clothes, Dryel
Saturday - sheets, bedspreads, blankets

Some homekeepers like to do all the laundry one day a week - two or three loads each day, started early, works for me!

The Laundry Baskets

A labeled basket for each load makes sorting laundry painless!

(And a husband that builds all the shelves you could ever need to hold those baskets makes doing laundry a joy!)

Ode to the Backyard Clothesline

You'll say I'm "quaintly countrified,"
Old fashioned - as you please.
But I love the sight of fresh, clean laundry
Tossing in the breeze.
To suspend each garment on the line,
Then give the wind full play;
To caress and gently fragrance
In that sweet "outdoorsy"way.
They bask in sunny radiance,
Towels neatly hung in rows;
Snowy linens snapping crisply
Darling dancing baby clothes.
And when at dusk I gather them
I feel extremely blessed
That line-dried and sun kissed cleanliness
Clothe the ones that I love best.

by Juanita M. Vernon

from Treasury of Vintage Homekeeping Skills by Martha Greene