Back to School Laundry Tips for Busy Parents

Between grass-stained PE kits, half-empty lunchbox spills, and uniforms that seem to multiply overnight, back to school laundry can feel like a never-ending cycle.  

We know this season can bring a bit of chaos into your home. That’s why we’ve put together some practical, time-saving tips to make laundry day smoother, quicker, and a little less stressful. 

Set a no-fuss laundry routine that sticks  

Start by creating a simple laundry routine you can actually keep up with. The easiest method? Assign designated laundry days each week and stick to them. Use a family calendar or reminder app so no one forgets. To make things run even smoother, teach your kids to bring their laundry baskets to the wash area, it’ll cut down on last-minute laundry surprises. 

Pre-sort like a pro with divided hampers 

Sorting can take forever, unless you get smart about it ahead of time. Invest in a divided hamper so laundry practically sorts itself. Label sections for light, darks and delicates or even set up a hamper per child. Encourage your kids to drop their dirty clothes straight into the right bin so when wash day comes, half the work is already done. 

Hack your wash cycle to save time and energy 

Drying is often the bottleneck of laundry day. Our Dryer Balls can reduce drying time by up to 28%, saving you both time and money. They even soften your fabrics, reduce creasing and add a gentle fragrance, though Fragrance-Free is available if you prefer scent free clothing. 

For the wash itself, use quick cycles for lightly soiled school uniforms and wash sports kits as soon as possible to keep odours from settling in. Our Laundry Detergent Eggs are the perfect companions for the job. Keep a stain remover handy in your laundry room for tackling stains before they have time to set in.  

Streamline folding and putting away 

Don’t let clean laundry pile up. Instead, fold by person and assign each family member to a colour-coded basket for their clean clothes. Older kids can put away their laundry, and younger ones can help by matching socks or folding small items. Giving kids age-appropriate laundry tasks turns it into teamwork instead of a one-person job. 

Make smart clothing choices  

One of the easiest ways to lighten your laundry load is by buying extra sets of uniforms and basics. It reduces the pressure of having to wash the same items every night. Look for wrinkle-resistant fabrics to cut down on ironing, and label everything. Especially socks, gym kits and jumpers to avoid mix-ups at school or between siblings. 

Get kids involved early 

Laundry is a life skill, and back to school season is the perfect time to start teaching it. Begin with simple responsibilities: younger children can sort colours or pair socks, while older kids can fold and put away clothes. Making laundry part of after-school or weekend chores helps the habit stick and lightens your load too. 

Bonus tips for stress-free laundry  

Here are a few extra tips to help you manage laundry day: 

• Keep a stain removal kit near your washer for quick fixes.  
• Use mesh bags for socks and small items to stop them from disappearing. 
• Set up a lost and found basket in the laundry room for unmatched socks and stray items.  

Laundry doesn’t have to feel like another overwhelming back-to-school chore. With a few smart systems and a bit of teamwork, you can tame the piles, save time and maybe even make the process smoother for everyone.  

What’s your biggest back to school laundry challenge, socks, stains or uniforms? Share your survival hacks with us, we’d love to hear them!