Why Is Laundry Still My Arch-Nemesis?
Content:
1. That Time I Wore My Pajamas to Work
2. The Weird Psychology of the “Laundry Chair”
3. Speed Tips I (Sorta) Swear By
4. In Praise of the Mighty Laundry Turtle 🐢
5. Weird Laundry Hacks I’ve Actually Tried (and Which Totally Failed)
6. Real Talk: Sometimes I Just Re-Wash the Load I Forgot in the Machine
7. Final Thoughts and Mild Panic About Grown-Up Life
1. That Time I Wore My Pajamas to Work
Okay, so confession time: a few months ago, I legit wore pajamas to work. Like, full-on donut-print flannel bottoms. I’d love to blame it on a quirky fashion trend or some high-concept “pandemic chic” thing, but no. It was pure, tragic laundry negligence. I *meant* to wash clothes the night before, but then TikTok happened (that weird “guy pretending to be a medieval monk on a skateboard” video haunted me), and then the laundry basket—overflowing, mocking me—was like, “Not today, pal.”
And that’s when I realized: **I really need a better laundry system.** Or at least, like, a less chaotic life?
2. The Weird Psychology of the “Laundry Chair”
Do you have a “laundry chair”? You know, that one sad, structurally exhausted chair in your room that exists solely to hold semi-clean clothes you fully intend to put away but never do?
Mine’s a busted IKEA armchair covered in cat hair and one rogue sock that’s been there since, uh, July? I once tried to feng-shui my room and the *only* thing the consultant commented on was “the energy blockage created by unresolved laundry.” She didn’t say anything about the *bag of cereal under my bed*, just the chair.
*Moral of the story: laundry clutter messes with your brain.* Or at least mine.
3. Speed Tips I (Sorta) Swear By
Now, I’m no laundry Jedi, but I’ve picked up a few tricks that make the whole ordeal, like, 3% less miserable:
– **Color-code your baskets.** Whites, darks, gym clothes, etc. It feels a little intense at first, but future-you will be grateful.
– **Do one small load a day** instead of a weekend-long laundry nightmare.
– **Keep a “wear again” basket.** For clothes that aren’t dirty-dirty but not fresh either. (Totally inspired by my friend Molly, who calls it her “purgatory pile.”)
– **Use the right basket.** This is where my new favorite thing comes in—the Laundry Turtle. It’s collapsible, ergonomic, aaaand weirdly fun to use? I legit folded it into a circle and rolled it like a donut across my living room. Adulting!
Oh, and pro tip: fold clothes *right out of the dryer*. I say it with confidence even though I never do it myself. But still.
Quick aside here: part of what makes the Laundry Turtle awesome is how it fits perfectly into small living spaces. I’m not fancy—I rent a 400 sq ft apartment where the kitchen sink shares territory with my coffee table. The fact that this basket folds away flat when I don’t need it is a literal space-saving miracle. If you’re into living clutter-lite or just trying to stop tripping over laundry gear in your studio, you’ve gotta check out how collapsible baskets can maximize space in tiny homes. It made me feel way less alone in my laundry-related space crisis.
4. In Praise of the Mighty Laundry Turtle 🐢
Okay, listen. I did not expect to feel strongly about a laundry basket. But I’m telling you, the Laundry Turtle is not like the clunky, cracked plastic bin I’ve been dragging around since college. It folds flat when I don’t need it (which is perfect for my tiny apartment), and the way it hugs clothes so you can just scoop a whole load out of the dryer like some kind of laundry ninja?
Game. Changer.
My roommate Sam literally said “Damn, that’s oddly satisfying” as he watched me transfer clothes without dropping three pairs of underwear on the way.
Also, it comes in cute colors which, yes, matters.
And if you’re like me—aka prone to chaotic mornings, unpredictable schedule swings, and the occasional “why do I live in this cardboard box” existential spiral—then having a laundry setup that actually travels well matters more than you’d think. When I crashed at my cousin’s for a month between leases, I brought the Laundry Turtle and it handled the move (and her sketchy basement laundry room) like a champ. For anyone who’s hauling laundry to shared spaces or moving from dorm to dorm, this guide on laundry solutions for college students totally nails it. Even if you’re not a student, the tips apply if you’re laundry-hopping like a nomad.
5. Weird Laundry Hacks I’ve Actually Tried (and Which Totally Failed)
Here lies a list of things I thought would change my life but didn’t:
1. Putting aluminum foil balls in the dryer instead of dryer sheets (static city).
2. Hanging everything to air dry “to save energy.” I gave up after item four because my drying rack is a **lie**.
3. DIY laundry detergent. It smelled like sadness and art class.
Honestly, if I could time-travel, I’d whisper, “Just buy the good detergent and don’t overthink it. Also, invest in a Laundry Turtle. Also also, get rid of that chair.”
6. Real Talk: Sometimes I Just Re-Wash the Load I Forgot in the Machine
You know what I’m talking about. You start a load, forget about it, and then days later you’re like… is that mildew? And instead of sorting it out like a responsible adult, you just… rewash it and hope for the best.
I see you. No judgment here.
But that’s why these tiny shortcuts matter. Like, if your laundry process starts feeling kinda easy and *maybe even…fun?* you’ll mess up less. (Or, at a minimum, you’ll at least be less *miserable* while doing it.)
7. Final Thoughts and Mild Panic About Grown-Up Life
Sometimes I can’t believe how much of being an adult revolves around managing pants. Like seriously, between laundry, dishes, and taxes, I feel like I’m just constantly rotating piles of mess from one room to another like some kind of domestic Sisyphus.
BUT…
When I remember to simplify stuff—like having the right tools (hi again, Laundry Turtle), breaking up big chores into smaller ones, and letting go of perfection—things get better. Like, *noticeably* better.
Anyway, what’s your weird laundry ritual (or disaster story)? Do you have a haunted laundry basket from 2006 that still lives in your closet? Tell me everything.
If you liked this rambling mess, maybe check out my other stuff? No pressure though. 🥴
Keywords: laundry hacks, laundry routine, how to do laundry faster, laundry organization, best laundry basket, Laundry Turtle, time-saving laundry tips, laundry for busy people, small apartment laundry tips
Clusters Selected:
1. Maximizing Space in Small Homes
Link: https://laundryturtlefoundation.org/n-a-2/
2. Laundry Solutions for College Students
Link: https://laundryturtlefoundation.org/dirty-laundry-dorm-life-a-battle/