Helpful Mom-Life Tips, Tricks and Hacks

15 Ways to Keep Up with Laundry as a Busy Mom

Laundry. It’s the never-ending chore that seems to multiply when you’re not looking — like socks mysteriously having babies in the hamper. As busy moms, we already juggle meal prep, school runs, work, and the occasional moment to breathe (if we’re lucky). Keeping up with laundry doesn’t have to feel like a battle. With a few smart habits, you can keep the laundry pile under control and reclaim your weekends.

Here are 15 ways to keep up with laundry as a busy mom — so you can spend less time folding and more time enjoying life with your family.


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1. Create a Laundry Schedule

Having a set plan for laundry takes away the mental guesswork. Assign different days to different loads — for example, Monday for kids’ clothes, Wednesday for towels, Friday for bedding. It keeps the flow steady and prevents “laundry mountain” from forming.


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2. Do One Load a Day

Instead of marathon laundry sessions, aim to do one load every day. Start it in the morning, switch it over during lunch or nap time, and fold before bed. Smaller, daily batches are less overwhelming and more manageable.


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3. Sort Baskets for Each Room

Keep a laundry basket in each room or closet for sorting (lights, darks, towels). This means when it’s laundry time, everything is already separated and ready to go.


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4. Keep Hampers in Each Room

No more clothes left on the floor because the hamper’s “too far.” Having a hamper in every bedroom (and even the bathroom) makes it easy for everyone to toss dirty clothes where they belong right away.


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5. Do a Quick Fold While Kids Are Asleep

Naptime or bedtime is perfect for sneaking in a quick folding session. It’s faster when you’re not being interrupted, and you can focus without the “Mom, I need a snack!” soundtrack.


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6. Teach Kids to Help

Even little ones can be laundry helpers. Toddlers can put socks together, preschoolers can help load the washer, and older kids can fold their own clothes. It’s a life skill — and a time-saver for you.


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7. Set a Reminder to Do It

If laundry slips your mind until the hampers overflow, set phone reminders or use a smart home assistant to prompt you. A little nudge can keep the routine on track.


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8. Declutter Clothes

The fewer clothes you have, the less laundry you’ll need to do. If drawers are overflowing, it’s time to donate what no longer fits or gets worn. Minimalist wardrobes mean quicker wash days.


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9. Use a Presort Laundry Organizer

A multi-section laundry bin lets you sort as you go — lights in one section, darks in another, towels in a third. Come laundry day, you just grab and go.


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10. Do Towels Together

Washing all your towels in one load not only saves time but also makes folding faster. No mixing them with clothes means fewer wrinkles and no hunting for matching sets.


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11. Keep Laundry Supplies Stocked and Accessible

Running out of detergent mid-load is the worst. Keep an eye on your supply levels and store everything within easy reach so you can grab and go without losing momentum.


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12. Fold Immediately from the Dryer

This one’s tough but game-changing. Folding as soon as clothes come out of the dryer keeps wrinkles away and prevents laundry baskets from becoming “the second closet” where clothes live for weeks.


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13. Use Mesh Bags for Socks and Delicates

Mesh bags keep small items together so socks stop disappearing into the mysterious laundry vortex. They’re also great for washing lingerie and delicate baby clothes without damage.


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14. Be Consistent with Your Routine

The real laundry secret isn’t magic — it’s consistency. Whether you choose daily loads or a set weekly schedule, sticking to it is what keeps the piles small and manageable.


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15. Give Yourself Grace

Sometimes life gets messy, and laundry will wait. The world won’t end if you miss a day — what matters most is that you’re doing your best for your family.

- Busy Mama Bee 🐝 

Click the link below for a free printable of this list. 

Dishes are like laundry’s clingy cousin — always hanging around, multiplying overnight, and showing up right after you just finished. Between cooking, snacks, and all those “I’m thirsty” moments, the sink can go from clean to chaos faster than your toddler can spill juice.

But here’s the good news: with a few smart habits, you can stay ahead of the pile and keep your kitchen feeling peaceful (or at least manageable).

Here are 10 ways to keep up with dishes as a busy mom — so the sink never becomes a mountain range again.


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1. Put the Dishes Away First Thing in the Morning

While your coffee brews, unload the dishwasher or put away last night’s clean dishes. This way, your sink is ready for the day, and you won’t end up with clean dishes piled on the counter waiting for a home.


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2. Wash Dishes as You Cook

Instead of letting pots and utensils stack up until after dinner, clean as you go. Rinse the cutting board, wash the mixing bowl, or load the dishwasher during simmer time. It makes the after-meal cleanup so much faster.


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3. Wash All Dishes Before Bed

Going to bed with a clean sink is like giving yourself a fresh start for the next day. No one likes waking up to last night’s lasagna pan. Make it part of your nightly routine, and you’ll thank yourself every morning.


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4. Make It a Family Habit

Dishes shouldn’t be a one-mom show. Kids can scrape plates, load the dishwasher, or dry and put away silverware. When everyone pitches in, it’s amazing how much faster things get done.


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5. Listen While You Wash

Turn dishwashing time into “me” time. Pop in a podcast, put on your favorite music, or listen to an audiobook. It makes the time pass quickly, and you might even look forward to it.


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6. Make a Dish Schedule and Stick to It

If dishes tend to sneak up on you, set specific times during the day to tackle them. Maybe it’s after breakfast, after lunch, and after dinner. Regular intervals keep the pile from taking over.


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7. Do a Few Dishes Every Time You Pass the Sink

Walking through the kitchen? Take 60 seconds to rinse and load a few dishes. Little bursts throughout the day keep the mess small and manageable.


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8. Short on Time? Use a Timer

When you’re in a busy season, set a timer for five minutes and do what you can. Even if you don’t finish, you’ll be surprised how much you can get done — and a partially clean kitchen is better than none at all.


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9. In Busy Times, Use Disposable Dishes

Life gets hectic. Whether it’s during a move, a new baby season, or a packed sports schedule, there’s no shame in using paper plates or compostable options to lighten your load for a bit.


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10. Give Yourself Grace

Some days the sink will be full — and that’s okay. Dishes will wait. Focus on the moments that matter most, and tackle them when you can.


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Final Buzz from Busy Mama Bee 🐝
Keeping up with dishes is all about finding a rhythm that works for you and your family. Small habits add up to big results, and before you know it, your sink will be staying cleaner, longer. Remember: you’re not just washing dishes — you’re creating space for the fun and memories that happen in the heart of your home.
 

- Busy Mama Bee 🐝 

Click the link below for a free printable of this list.