For most of us in today’s fast-paced world, doing laundry seems to stop time. Granted, with machines doing the washing and, sometimes, drying, the task has become more palatable. Even so, we are now left with a pile of clean laundry that has to be put away.
Have you stopped and considered that you could have 40 or more pieces of laundry per individual per week? Enter a family of four (or more) and it’s no surprise that the laundry pile never seems to shrink!
And while folding clothes has finally been automated, it only does the folding part while we all know there’s more to folding than, well, folding 😊. Moreover, the current price of the machine, even when it becomes available in India, may not agree with most Indians. So, for now, we must make the best of this chore! The best way to enjoy it is, of course, embrace it! Revel in the art of folding! Here are six ways you could take the edge off this chore.
Set the stage
You know, there’s nothing like a nice, large, table with a smooth laminated top to make you want to fold clothes. They have a few in every US laundromat and something about that space welcomes you to start folding! At home, your dining table will serve the purpose, unless of course it is cluttered with stuff – a definite possibility as the dining table has become the all-purpose area in today’s households. If nothing else, clear out a large clean space on the floor…and make sure your toddler’s not out on the prowl!
Create a process – SIF
An organized approach can make a mundane task like folding laundry more palatable. Follow the SIF process – Segregate, Invert, Fold.
Segregate laundry according to person and/ or function. For example, you could at first segregate each family member’s clothing and then you can further separate the outerwear (tops, bottoms) and inner wear. This way you tackle the same size of clothing, which makes the process faster. You could also segregate outerwear that need to be ironed into one pile.
Invert clothes back to right way up – coz, in India, we usually turn clothes inside out before tossing them into the washing machine – and particularly, when hanging them out to dry in the sun as this limits the colors from fading.
Fold clothes using a technique that works for you! You could use the various tutorials available on the internet or create your own style. If space is a constraint (and who doesn’t have that problem these days), then consider rolling the clothes.
Involve your family
Believe it or not, folding clothes can be great bonding time for families. Even the kids could pitch in by helping segregate or invert clothes. And you could spice it up by having a race or cool it down and use the time to have a meaningful conversation with your partner or kid. Of course, this is a great chore that can help you teach your kids organization and responsibility. Be mindful that kids may not stay with you till the end 🙂 Enjoy whatever time and effort they put in.
Me-time!
If (and when) your family bails on you, it may be a blessing in disguise! Make it your “me-time”! You can choose to entertain yourself with a movie, or an audiobook. Or immerse yourself into your favourite music. You could even try and add some steps to your pedometer!
Meditate
Folding clothes is a perfect time to find your inner balance. The task allows us to slow down, take a deep breath and….Aaaoooommmmm! For those of us who practice Vipassana, this is the ideal time to do Ana-Pana or even engage in Vipassana meditation.
Out-source
Of course, there’s always the outsourcing option – either using one of the several laundromat services that have recently cropped up or via the good old “bai” (I could add to that raging debate…but that’s a topic for another day)
Be that it may, folding clothes is a task that can be very therapeutic. It gives us a measure of control and organization to our lives. A pile of neatly stacked clothes, ready to be tucked away, is always a sight for sore eyes.
What is your approach to tackling laundry? Do connect and share your views.
Happy Reading!
May Your Life Be in Balance
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