Folding laundry like a pro: the neurodiverse laundry guide (part III)
Do you know what my least favorite adulting chore is?
Laundry.
A seemingly simple task that, in reality, is a multi-stage epic requiring more than washing and drying.
Welcome to Part III of the neurodiverse laundry guide where we explore systems that make laundry easier.
If you haven’t read Part I (How to set a laundry schedule) or Part II (Clutter-free floors), click the links and give them a read.
In this blog, you will learn 7 ways I made folding a less painful task. The key? Folding with strategy.
Let’s dive in!
What's your biggest laundry challenge?
Sorting laundry before washing
Finding time to fold and put away clothes
Keeping up with a regular laundry schedule
Dealing with laundry for multiple family members
Folding laundry was a nightmare
Until recently, I had every step of doing laundry locked in except one…folding. For me, folding is the most painful part of doing laundry.
Here’s how my laundry routine used to go:
Phone pings laundry (time to switch to the drier).
Phone pings again. I place clean clothes on my bed.
Forget about the mountain of clean clothes.
Exhausted by the day, defeat would sweep over me as I remember the mountain of clean clothes on my bed. Too tired to fold, I would toss them onto my desk chair.
This happened to me every week. The ever-growing pile of laundry on my 'chair of shame.'
Like clockwork, I'd transfer my clean clothes from the dryer to the chair, telling myself I'd fold them 'later.' Spoiler alert: 'later' never came.
The turning point? One morning, while getting dressed for work, I could not find a pair of clean underwear. After tearing through my pile, I found my socks and rushed out of the door knowing I was late.
In this moment of panic, I left my laptop and lunch behind, only to realize this when I arrived at work.
That was my wake-up call. My laundry system (or lack thereof) needed an overhaul.
My pile of clean clothes was a continuous “to-do” that never got done. It ruminated in the back of my mind. Every time I went into my bedroom, I became overwhelmed.
Does this sound familiar? If so, you're not alone. Keep reading to learn how I overcame this cycle of shame and found a way to complete my laundry each week.
Folding laundry like a pro
Last year, I made 7 simple changes to my laundry routine that dismantled the dread of folding. Now, I always organize my clean clothes and folding is an easier task that I always complete.
1. Less clothing = less folding 🧺
I decluttered my wardrobe. I spent one-day placing old clothes in trash bags and then donating them. Before I started, I set a rule and stuck to it: any clothing I had not worn in the past year, donate.
Having fewer clothes means there's less to wash. This can make laundry feel less overwhelming.
Pro tips:
Set a recurring event on your digital calendar to do this each Spring.
Hang up all your clothes with hangers facing one direction. When you wear something, turn the hanger in the other direction. After a few months, donate anything you haven't worn (as indicated by the hanger pointing in the original direction)
2. More hanging = less folding 👕
Hanging feels way easier than folding.
I invested in hangers and hung as much clothing as possible. Who cares if my sweatshirts and Grateful Dead long-sleeved shirt don't 'need' to be hung up? This reduces the amount of folding and keeps my clothes wrinkle-free.
Pro tip: don’t fold underwear or clothes that you sleep in.
3. Set a reminder to “fold clothes” 📱
After I take clothes out of the dryer and place them on my bed, I look at my calendar and ask myself, “What time do I want to fold my clothes?”. Then, I set a reminder on my phone.
Pro tip: label your reminder ‘fold clothes’.
4. Eat the frog 🐸
I can’t hang everything. To make folding easier, I clear off my bed like your bed and start with the most cumbersome items. This approach, often called "eating the frog," helps tackle the challenging part first.
By the time I am sick of folding, I only have underwear and socks left. Those items are much easier to get through.
Pro tip: start with shirts, and end with underwear.
5. Make folding fun 🎧
While this might seem impossible, I learned how to spice up the experience. Adults with ADHD thrive in novel environments. I make folding feel different by listening to music or a podcast.
Pro tip: create a folding laundry playlist so you do not waste time finding the “perfect” playlist to fold to. Check out my laundry playlist here!
6. Don’t fold 🚫
Yes, you read that right. I don’t fold items that no one sees me wear like underwear, socks, and bedtime clothes.
I also dedicate one drawer to these items, making it easy to put them away.
Pro tip: take out tomorrow’s clothing from what’s clean so you don’t have to fold it.
7. Time it ⏳
How long does it take to fold clean clothes? The truth might change your view of folding forever.
I timed it and learned it takes me no more than 10 minutes. Often, we overestimate the time required for such tasks. Knowing the actual duration can make it seem less daunting.
Pro tip: use a cube timer or sand timer so you do not get distracted by your phone.
Conclusion
We've explored seven tips that make folding less of a chore and more of a victory lap. From the game-changing realization that less clothing equals less folding to the practice of hanging more and folding less, these strategies are designed to dismantle the dread.
The standout tips? Tackle the big stuff first with an "eat the frog" approach, make folding an event with your favorite tunes or podcasts, and embrace the revolutionary concept of not folding everything. Yes, it turns out, folding laundry can be done in under 10 minutes for some—a fact that might change the way you view this chore forever.
Folding it like a pro means less stress and more strategy. Even the most daunting tasks can be mastered with the right approach.
Stay engaged
About the author
Eric Kaufmann, M.Ed is a Professional Educational Therapist and Certified Executive Function Coach. He is the Co-founder of UpSkill Specialists, an online adult executive function coaching company designed to guide adults in overcoming disorganization, procrastination, and productivity roadblocks so they can unlock their potential. Eric is also the founder of Elevate Learning Solutions, an Educational Therapy practice located in San Clemente, CA, that guides students with neurological differences toward becoming independent and confident students and self-leaders.