A laundry plan you can keep

Short answer: Two loads a week cover most households. One for darks and one for lights, plus a third for bedding and towels every other week. With fixed days and enough clothes in the drawer, the plan more or less runs itself.

Two fixed days

Put laundry on two fixed weekdays so it does not pile up. Many people pick one day midweek and one at the weekend, but what matters is that the days stay the same every week. It then becomes a habit rather than a decision. With enough pieces from women's most popular, two days is plenty.

One load for darks, one for lights

The simplest split is darks on their own and lights on their own. Dark colours can release some dye, and light clothes can turn grey if washed with darks. With two loads a week, each colour group gets its own wash, and you avoid resorting everything at the last minute when the machine needs filling.

Sort as you go

Three baskets, one for darks, one for lights and one for delicates, make sorting almost effortless. Clothes land in the right basket when you take them off, and on wash day the machine is quick to fill. Delicates can be underwear, bras and thin fabrics. See the range in women's bamboo joggers.

Bedding and towels every other week

Bedding and towels take up a lot of space and are often washed at a higher temperature than clothes. That is why it makes sense to give them their own load every other week. Put it on one of your fixed days so it does not come on top. If you have several sets of bedding, you can swap straight away and wash at your own pace.

Enough clothes make the plan work

If you only own five pairs of socks, you have to wash every third day. Ten pairs give you the freedom to stick to two fixed days. The same goes for underwear and T-shirts. A washing plan depends on having enough clothes to cover the days between washes; see bamboo socks.

Load the machine properly

A machine works best when the drum is full but not packed. Clothes need room to move in the water, otherwise they are not properly cleaned and rinsed. A good rule of thumb is to leave space for a hand at the top of the drum. That way you get the most out of every wash.

Drying is part of the plan

Laundry is only done when the clothes are dry and put away. Plan where the clothes will hang and how long they take to dry. Air drying is gentle on the fabric but needs space and time. If you wash in the morning, clothes are often dry by evening, depending on fabric and season.

Adjust the plan when life changes

A washing plan is not a law. In periods with lots of training, guests or travel, you may need an extra load. In winter, drying takes longer. Stick to your fixed days as the starting point and add an extra wash when needed, rather than letting the baskets overflow.

Frequently asked questions

How many clothes does a weekly plan need

Around ten sets of underwear and socks, plus five to seven T-shirts per person. That covers the days between two fixed wash days.

Can you manage with one load a week

Yes, if you have enough clothes and wash everything at the same temperature. One programme then covers it all, and you save a day.

When should bedding be washed

Every other week is common. More often if you sweat at night, or if you have the option to change your bedding more frequently.