Folding laundry has always been a bottleneck for me.
I wash clothes regularly (so sweaty gym clothes don’t stink), but the dreadful last step is always the FOLDING.
Now I’ve come to think of this in a few different ways. First I will lay out my general approach. Then I will detail a few folding experiments I like to do.
General Approach
Here is a quick rundown of my general approach to folding.
Minimize time from dry to done. Grab it from the dryer asap and get going.
This is ideal, but not always practical. Buy some wrinkle release. PRO TIP: when it runs out, just fill it back up with water (and/or mix with a little laundry detergent).
Then just spray a few times on your wrinkled clothes and throw it on a hanger. Works like magic.
Make quick progress. I toss all the dry clothes on the bed and do a quick sort (<10 seconds) based on where the item goes (hangers vs folded, socks vs underwear).
Again, I hate folding laundry so my goal is to get it done QUICK.
So I think to myself, “what can I do in the next 1 minute that will make the most progress?”. Progress means moving things from the bed to wherever they belong.
This usually entails grabbing collared shirts I will hang up and maybe a towel or anything with a lot of surface area.
Then I quickly return to the pile and already it is smaller than before and I’m making progress!
(Note: also start with collared shirts/hanging clothes to hang quickly so they don’t get wrinkled).
Then I power through the rest, first folding them by category and then taking them to their respective homes.
2 Ways To Make Folding Fun
Here are two thought experiments I do when folding.
1. The “Folding Funeral”
Toss all your dry clothes on the bed. Then grab one piece of clothing. As you begin to fold it, imagine you are laying it to rest. 💀
If it’s a pair of shorts, you will be parting with these shorts forever. You quickly think through all the amazing times you’ve had with these shorts.
Many memories on vacations, on the weekends, many times at the gym. They were once your favorite shorts (maybe still are).
As you fold, imagine you’re giving a eulogy about these shorts and how impactful they have been in your life and how much you will miss them.
The great news is, they’re not dead…And you get to keep them!
Okay I know that sounds crazy. And sure, it sort of is.
BUT it also builds a deep sense of gratitude into our belongings. I don’t do this every time, but I do it at least once a week or two.
It has an amazing effect of appreciating my clothes rather than being upset about having to fold them.
2. Draft Day: The Rate & Sort
Time to play favorites.
Starting with all the dry clothes on my bed, I make my number one draft pick. I think if I had to get rid of ALL my clothes and just keep one thing, what would it be?
This is the first selection and I proceed with folding it. It also makes me super happy to have “saved” this piece of clothing because it brings me so much joy.
Then I go on to my second pick and so on.
Again I don’t do this one every time.. BUT it does have the same effect of gratitude and making me appreciate the clothes while making folding sort of fun.
Quick Rundown
- Buy wrinkle release
- Folding Funeral
- Draft Day: Rate & Sort