How To Stop Folding Your Kids’ Laundry And What To Do Instead

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In this post, I’ll shed some light on how to stop folding your kids’ laundry (a task that is better left up to the kids who can do it themselves) and what to do instead, how to let things go as a busy mom and my actual laundry routine for a family of four that keeps our clothes clean and organized and my mind sane.

Naya used to sleep in a laundry basket! It was the most convenient thing to do at the time, and it was the only laundry basket I was okay with living in our living room during that season.

Why I Stopped Folding My Kids’ Laundry And You Can Too

A few months ago, I felt like I didn’t have enough time in my life. My two year old dropped her nap, I was attempting to homeschool my 6-year-old, work a part time job, keep my marriage thriving, plan and prepare all of our mostly homemade meals and snacks, stay on top of the laundry, and prepare for holidays, houseguests, and trips. It was a lot—too much for one person.

Meanwhile, my husband was also carrying a full load—managing his business, helping with the house, and finding time to connect with me and the kids. Add in the desire for a social life or a hobby, and we were on the edge of burnout.

And, like many families, we’ve been tackling all this with no outside childcare. Sure, we’re working on finding solutions like part-time childcare to give me some more spaciousness, but in the meantime, something had to give.

That breaking point came when I developed shingles—my body’s way of screaming, “Enough!” Something needed to change.

And you know what small, surprisingly powerful shift I made?

I stopped folding laundry.

Why Folding My Kids’ Laundry Had To Go

Folding laundry sounds trivial, but when you’re juggling a million things, even small tasks can feel insurmountable. Picture this: you’ve already spent time washing and drying the clothes, and now there’s a basket of clean laundry sitting in your living room. Days pass, and the pile grows as you dig through it for what you need, never quite finding the time to fold and put it all away.

Enough was enough. I realized this wasn’t something I needed to do anymore.

My New Laundry Routine

Here’s the routine that’s saved my sanity and kept our family’s clothes clean and (mostly) organized:

1. Treat Stains
   I keep a big spray bottle upstairs where my kids take their clothes off. Before I even throw them into the basket, I spray a solution of half unscented Seventh Generation dish soap and half water onto the stain. If it’s really deep (like smeared in butter), I scrub it with a stiff brush for a few seconds. If it’s a berry stain, I use peroxide (but don’t let it dry or it will damage the fabric). They come out almost every time.
2. Sort as You Go
   I have separate baskets for me, the kids, the rags, etc, so sorting happens before washing. This small change makes it easier to keep everyone’s laundry separate.
3. Soak
   I add a squirt of dish soap to a bucket, and sometimes peroxide to soak anything that is really filthy or smelly.
4. Wash and Dry (Still My Job)
   I handle washing and drying because it’s quick, and I can multitask while it’s running.
5. Skip the Folding
   Instead of folding, I dump the clean clothes into baskets for each family member in their room.
6. Empower the Kids
   My kids are young, but they’re capable of putting their own laundry away. They toss things into drawers—folded or not, they don’t care and I don’t either.
7. Focus on What Matters
   I save folding for my clothes, sometimes. Ha! Everything else is left as-is.

How To Stop Folding Your Kids’ Laundry

Letting go of folding laundry felt surprisingly freeing, but it didn’t happen overnight. Here’s how I made peace with it:

• Redefine Your Priorities: I asked myself, “Why am I doing this? Who really cares? What would happen if I didn’t do it?”
• Accept Imperfection: My kids’ drawers are messy, but they’re functional, and that’s good enough.
• Delegate With Confidence: Kids are more capable than we think. Giving my kids responsibility not only lightens my load but also teaches them life skills and independence.

Why It Works For Us

This system keeps the laundry moving without the mental drain of folding or putting it all away myself. My living room stays clear of baskets, my kids are learning life skills, and I have more time and energy to focus on what matters most—like spending quality time with my family.

The first time I brought the basket full of unfolded laundry up to my 6-year-old daughter’s room and set it next to her dresser, she actually started folding things and putting them away without being asked! I really felt like a won the jackpot when that happened. Let them figure out how to do it by not doing it for them.

Granted, I still do put my 2-year-olds clothes into her drawers, unfolded, to be pulled out and shoved back in by her every morning when she’s deciding what to wear. So why on earth would I fold all of that?!

And sometimes, their clothes stay in the baskets, never making it into the drawers, only to be put on again the next day. So what. We were doing that already when the basket was sitting in the living room waiting to be folded. Now, it’s not.

A Challenge For You

If you’re overwhelmed with folding your kids’ laundry—or any task, really—ask yourself: Do I really have to do this? If the answer is no, let it go.

Small changes like this can make a world of difference.

What’s one chore you could let go of today? Share your thoughts below—I’d love to hear what’s working for you!

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