While I was engaged to Marlboro Man, I never stopped to consider what country life would really be like. Oh, I don’t know, maybe I pictured a little lemonade, a little porch, a little watching the sunrise, a little gazing at the sunset, a little listening to horses moo and cows neigh…or is it the other way around? Today, eleven years later, while country life does have its wonderful moments, I can say with a high degree of certainty that Laundry in the Country is a wretched, evil thing.
Picture this: Marlboro Man gets up at 5:00 a.m. and takes our four young punks to work cattle with him. I watch five bodies leave the house, which amounts to roughly five pairs of jeans, five shirts, five pairs of underwear (if everyone remembers), ten socks, and, depending on the weather, a sweatshirt or two. Then I make myself some coffee, lie down on the couch, and stare at the ceiling for awhile.
Then The Five usually pour in around eleven, completely caked—head-to-toe—in the following: Mud. Manure. Blood. Grass. Manure. Doughnut crumbs. Manure. They peel off their dirty clothes at the door, change into clean work clothes, and walk into the kitchen and say, “MOM! WHERE’S LUNCH?????” Then I cry silently for awhile.
This cycle repeats: they leave the house in clean clothes, root around in filth, and return a few hours later, peeling off their clothes at the door, changing into clean ones, and asking me for more food. Then, after the work is all done for the day, they spend the evening playing outside, which generally involves dogs, manure, dirt, manure, horses, manure, and frogs. Keeping up with our laundry is nothing short of impossible.
As I said last time, we’re in the middle of a complete bathroom remodel, which was originally going to involve a complete redesign of my gloriously large and spacious vanity. But when Marlboro Man delicately suggested, after witnessing me sob into a pile of dirty jeans for the thousandth time, that perhaps a larger laundry room might be more applicable to my current position in life than a gargantuan bathroom vanity, I sobbed even harder. But it only took a few minutes for me to realize how brilliant an idea it actually was. The laundry area was directly behind my vanity, of course, so any space I added to the new laundry room would be subtracted from the new vanity. Ten years ago I might have made a different choice, but now?
Here was my original vanity during the demolition. Mmmm…just look at all that space. Ahh, the dreams I had. Of makeup and marble and mirrors. Sigh.
Here’s my original vanity, gutted. The old laundry “room” is beyond the far wall frame.
And here was the turning point in my life. After much consideration and soul searching, I moved in the wall of my vanity, allotting much more space for the laundry room on the other side.
Remember the old laundry room? It was pretty much a closet in a hallway.
Here it is during demolition. It’s getting ready for a new life.
And here’s the laundry room as it stands right now. Let’s have a closer look…
Come closer…
Hello, lover! Just look—a real live flesh-and-blood (sheet rock and tile) laundry room. I feel like crying, for many different reasons. (And don’t worry too much about the mismatched tile; we’ll beat the new stuff to heck in no time at all.)
Meanwhile, back at the vanity…
Here it is, folks—my new vanity in all its glory. It’s not quite the spacious castle I’d originally envisioned, and I won’t have room for any makeup…or tweezers…or waxing kits or facial scrubs or masques…or a drawer devoted solely to Dr. Pepper Bonne Bell Lip Smacker. I finally had to let go of that dream.
But at least I’ll be able to wash a mean pair of jeans. And while I was living in Los Angeles, getting my degree and spotting celebrities, that was always my number one goal in life.
Next up: Turning My Shower Into a Subway Station…
September 21st, 2007 at 3:35 pm
That’s lookin’ good! I’m married to a dairy farmer, and have 4 kiddo’s, too, so I can relate to the mountains of laundry. Did you decide to go with 2 dryers?
Happy anniversary, BTW. I think my best wishes at your blog disappeared today.
September 21st, 2007 at 3:42 pm
I clicked too soon. I forgot to say that doing all of that laundry sure wears towels out quickly. I could use some new ones from JC Penney. Hmmm…a gift card would come in handy! LOL
September 21st, 2007 at 3:55 pm
Oh that laundry room is really going to be so nice!! I have five punks myself and Mt. Washmore is always towering over us. I never thought I’d live to hear myself say it but I love my laundry room. DH and I actually were just discussing the truth of my comment that “I do enough laundry to deserve a new washer!” My life has really taken a turn towards the pathetic. It is so nice to know other that are in this place in life
PS
Gosh, I could sure use a Penney’s gift card too
September 21st, 2007 at 4:02 pm
I really had to groan at the thought of all that washing (we call it washing in Australia). You would never be able to keep on top of it. Just as well you have your camera to keep you sane!
September 21st, 2007 at 4:05 pm
Oh, Ree. How I will think of your gorgeous new laundry room every time I open the ugly brown louvered doors to mine, step over the glue paper that’s there to catch the wayward mouse or two, and stare at the brick wall closet that snuggles up to my 11 year old w/d at night. I will think of you and repeat to myself, “Thou shalt not covet, thou shalt not covet”!
Happy Anniversary to you and MM as well.
September 21st, 2007 at 4:25 pm
Ree, I think if I were you… I’d consider putting 2 washers, two dryers in there… just a thought…
September 21st, 2007 at 4:29 pm
I know someone said that the electrical power supply might be insufficient for the demand, but while you’re in the throes of renovation, you could make sure that you have enough juice for two driers. It really would revolutionize your situation. I’d go for a stacking unit and a second drier in a heartbeat!
♥
September 21st, 2007 at 4:30 pm
I think you should get 2 sets of full capacity washers and dryers. People with large families swear by it. And even though 4 kids and a husband is not small by any means, it might as well be a larger family with 15 kids, since they change 3 times a day. Go ahead - you deserve it!
September 21st, 2007 at 4:37 pm
Holy cow Ree, that’s huge! You’re going to love doing laundry! Ok, well, maybe not “love”, but you probably won’t hate it quite so much. =)
And, I’d just like to point out that you are blowing away the other bloggers on this site, comment-wise at least. I may be a little biased, but I think you have some pretty swell readers. =)
September 21st, 2007 at 4:39 pm
Nice. It took me 1 three year old and infant triplets to get to the point of redesigning the laundry area. It included (and still does) 2 washers and 3 dryers. A separate hotwater system (propane). A row of hampers. A special shelf for all the gross things I found in pockets.
And a maid.
September 21st, 2007 at 4:41 pm
You will drool at this laundry room!
http://cynthiamilligan.blogspot.com/2007/03/dirty-laundry.html
Yours is looking great!
September 21st, 2007 at 4:47 pm
Vanity for clean clothes? Sounds like a fair enough trade, as long as you can keep a rubbermaid box full of lip smaker in the laundry room!
Thanks Penneys for putting Ree’s journey on here.
September 21st, 2007 at 5:29 pm
Oh I’m so jealous of those tiled floors! I hate carpet in the country. The only thing I would want more is a drain in my floor to hose and mop it out… I get tired of sweeping.
September 21st, 2007 at 5:46 pm
4 words: Laundry Chute, Dumb Waiter…(or whatever the opposite of a laundry chute is) unless of course…you live on a RANCH, lol but if it’s two story…4 words…, lol
September 21st, 2007 at 5:46 pm
2 washers and 2 dryers…you need it, you must have it, go for it
September 21st, 2007 at 6:01 pm
I forgot to tell you guys—Marlboro Man is really pushing for the second dryer now, thanks to the advice here last time. I’m seriously considering it, but I can’t decide if it’s going to make my life easier or more difficult. How does having a second dryer help? Won’t it just mean more clothes to fold, sooner? I need someone to walk me through it.
And will the second dryer actually put the clothes away for me? Because I could really wrap my brain around that one…
September 21st, 2007 at 6:14 pm
Well, I was about to say that you should have two of each until you mentioned the enormous problem of getting the clothes folded and put away. I can relate to that problem. Right now there sits 3 loads of fresh clean laundry ON MY COUCH. Maybe discipline yourself to not start another load until the two in the dryer are at least folded. Oh, who am I to talk. Laundry will be the death of me.
September 21st, 2007 at 6:17 pm
One washer - one load of laundry. Divide one load of laundry into two dryers and it’s dry in half the time. Absolutely brilliant - but not brilliant enough to put the clothes away - sorry.
Love the new laundry room!
September 21st, 2007 at 6:17 pm
Heavy duty front loaders are a must!!! Love mine.
September 21st, 2007 at 6:17 pm
ha! ree, i have your answer on the second dryer. altho it WONT put away the clothes for you, you can have 2 loads drying (which of course takes longer than the wash cycle) while doing another load. i have 5 punks (tho all of them are older than yours and some of them could — but dont — have punks of their own) and the second dryer made me feel richer beyond measure.
well, not really, i guess. but 2 loads drying is a big help. then get those punks to fold their own!!!
September 21st, 2007 at 6:18 pm
hey… there are two janets. we aren’t the same people.
September 21st, 2007 at 6:22 pm
Ree,
With my old dryer I could see the reasoning behind wanting two driers. The old drier could not keep up. It took forever to dry a full load. We recently purchased more energy efficient appliances resulting in the dryer finishing before the washer completes a cycle. So in my case a second dryer wouldn’t be benificial. However a second washer and dryer would really speed up the entire laundry process. Putting the clean, folded items away is my downfall. My kids know if their bedroom drawers are empty, check the top of the washer and dryer.
Love your site! I’m hooked!
Cindee
September 21st, 2007 at 6:27 pm
Hey. This Janet has five punks too!
September 21st, 2007 at 6:40 pm
If you can Ree, try and have a big table or counter to fold stuff on, and somewhere to hang shirts and stuff, that don’t need folding but have to be hung up right away to save creases. Maybe space for the Ironing board and Iron too. I always wanted a hanging rack (from the ceiling), for those items that are too delicate for the dryer. I’ve spent soooo much time in this particular room - it’s the one I dream of redesigning. Just some ideas for you to consider - you lucky, lucky girl.
Happy Anniversary too. Hope you don’t spend it doing laundry!
Sunshine
September 21st, 2007 at 6:42 pm
Washing takes 1/2 the time of drying, so with two dryers you essentially can have a continuous run of washing and drying with nothing just sitting there… which may or may not be a good thing
I don’t like to leave wet clothes sitting in the washer waiting for another load to finish drying, so right now I don’t even start a new load in the washer until the one in the dryer is nearly done. Having two dryers makes it possible to do more in less time. In my opinion, two washers would really help you, but two dryers definately would! By the way, folding is totally overrated too…I stopped folding clothes years ago. Hang everything except socks, underwear and PJs. Scientific studies have shown hanging takes less time than folding. Color code the punks’ hangers, put a rod in that laundry room and you’re good to go.
September 21st, 2007 at 6:45 pm
where is the edit function?? I meant “two washers wouldn’t really help you”… I need a nap.
September 21st, 2007 at 6:56 pm
2 of each = half the time… 2 dryers and when those jeans aren’t dry yet… 2 of each… and a pac man… frogger… or something. get the kids down there to help =) inside as well as out… or maybe you could keep one in once in awhile.. then they would get to be with you!! I don’t know… just makes sense having two with that much laundry. if the folding backs up it still takes the same amount of time to fold….
September 21st, 2007 at 7:37 pm
I don’t know about the two washers and two dryers thing… that means that when you have to FOLD it’s twice as much, all at once…. does that make sense?
Anyway, Happy Anniversary!
God bless,
~Leah in Alaska
September 21st, 2007 at 7:45 pm
I have two washer/two dryers and I love it. We too live in a rural setting and I deal with all the mud and muck plus alot of oil and grease. I use one set for the really dirty stuff, coveralls, etc and one set for the not so dirty. After ruining good things it was either two machines or new things all the time!! Built a new house and actually now have two laundry rooms. Love it!!
September 21st, 2007 at 7:45 pm
I think you could hire a washing service for the cost of a new laundry room and 2 dryers…but why ask me, i am lazy.
September 21st, 2007 at 7:48 pm
My hubby tried to help with our mountain of laundry the other day… and he washed a pee-filled pull-up in with the clothes. All different colors (whites and darks), kitchen towels, inside-out socks that still had cut grass stuck to the inside of them. Plus found several random objects from pockets in the washer. Love him for trying to help, though.
I’m jealous of your beautiful laundry room!!!
September 21st, 2007 at 7:51 pm
New washer & dryer with coin slots! ha ha. At the end of the year, think how much money you can shop with! cameras, printers… a whole dark room where the Den of Sin used to be!
anyway…
September 21st, 2007 at 8:06 pm
Save the space a dryer would take up and just move dressers into the laundry room! Everyone comes through, leaves the dirty and takes the clean and *you* never have to travel more than 10 feet with laundry!
September 21st, 2007 at 8:07 pm
I have the GE Adora set - and my washing cycle is always longer than my dry cycle, so I would vote no on two dryers. Love these new energy efficient appliances.
Go for the hanging area, too, that’s the best part of my laundry “area” - the old pipes in the ceiling, perfect size to hang hangers.
Love both your blogs, Ree!
September 21st, 2007 at 8:29 pm
Oh my gosh—these ideas are fabulous. How am I going to implement all of them?
I love the coin slot idea, but knowing me, I’d never have quarters and my kids would have to wear bathing suits as underwear.
Thank you so much for your advice. I’m devouring it.
September 21st, 2007 at 8:41 pm
Looks WON.DER.FUL
Even though you have a humongous washer and dryer, I’d think about a duel set, 2 washers, 2 dryers =)
Drying takes longer, so even if you had 1 washer and 2 dryers?
September 21st, 2007 at 8:43 pm
Lawdy, Lawdy, you always have so many comments, I rarely read them, but after I just wrote all that ^^^^^^ up there, I see many of us are on the same page.
September 21st, 2007 at 9:01 pm
I just love the newer bigger laundry room! I can’t wait to see both rooms all done. Are you getting two washers and dryers?
September 21st, 2007 at 9:20 pm
As enticing as you make your manure-caked life sound, I don’t doubt that you could get a rotation of your readers stopping by, each spending a few days on the ranch. We could all be mini-maids! I would totally fold laundry (I also ADORE ironing!) and shoot the breeze with ya. It could be the next greatest vacation destination!
September 21st, 2007 at 9:20 pm
I really like it. I mean, as much as I could *like* a laundry room. Really, I loaaattthhheee laundry, and I only have to do it for my son and I. I am moving into an apartment next month where the laundry room really is a closet (imagine a five by four space with the washer and dryer shoved in), off the bathroom. Ahh yes, I’m living the high life now. Yet, as much as I despise laundry, I do really like the idea of a large space to do it in! And I like how the tile is mismatched, it gives it character.
September 21st, 2007 at 9:29 pm
Looks wonderful. I’m also at the stage where I’d choose a nice, large laundry room over a vanity. Who’d have thunk it 15 years ago, LOL.
September 21st, 2007 at 9:30 pm
We had a friend–four children, no ranch–and their laundry room was one of the most beautiful rooms in her house. Draperies, a mounted TV in the corner, and a 5′x5′ folding table. There were cubbies for each of her children, so after she folded their clothes on that glorious table, she shelved them for the kids to take to their own room.
I thought it excessive at the time, but CLEARLY I didn’t yet have children of my own. Now? The smartest thing I’ve EVAH seen, a room devoted to what most moms spend half their waking hours doing.
Our laundry room is also decorated with their art; on the inside of the door, we mark their heights periodically (they LOVE seeing their growth on this permanent “chart”, even now that they’re 15, 13 and 10…so do I
).
September 21st, 2007 at 9:34 pm
You’re already one step ahead of the game with your front loaders. I ADORE mine! I certainly don’t miss the ‘washer is faster than the dryer’ days.
What I cannot live without is a place to hang clothes in the laundry room. I’ve tried all types off different things over the years, but what works best for me?
My Husband picked up a couple of metal hangers that were meant to be used in the garage for hanging a ladder. PERFECT! They’re sturdy and can fold over, flat against the wall, when not in use. Which isn’t often. Ha!
For you? A second W/D pair wouldn’t be a bad idea. And lots and lots of cupboards and counters. Easy to hide things that way.
September 21st, 2007 at 9:34 pm
My viewpoint ditch the two dryer idea. My clothes dry faster than my washer and unfortunately I’m not winning any Good Housekeeping awards for I believe in the laundry troll- “I take them out of the dryer toss them on the couch and wait 24 hours to see if anyone will fold them other than me.” It never happens but I can dream…
I would actually put in a large 36″ table to toss clothes up on for folding with a shelf down below for stacking and I have kiddo’s deliver to the drawers.
September 21st, 2007 at 9:47 pm
Oh, man, I would love to have everyone’s dressers in the laundry room. Right into the drawers from the dryer…And what do we need clothes in our rooms for, anyway? Of course, you might have nude punks running around in the morning, but that would probably change with puberty. And from your PW blog, nude punks running around doesn’t necessarily have to do with where the clothes are kept.
Leave room for a nice comfy chair to fold in, though.
I’m coming back for more ideas, though, since we’re going to remodel our laundry room sometime in the next few years. It’s going to be a bathroom + laundry…we’ll see. No vanity.
September 21st, 2007 at 9:49 pm
Ree, I have to agree with Ang above…if you have room for 2 washers and dryers, then great…but only if it means you still have enough room for a big table (and maybe a dowel rod hanging above it so you can hang clothes in there). Not to mention, a table could mean each kid (err, punk) would have a stack of clothes that they could come claim each day and put up themselves. Except your baby boy, of course.
My other suggestion: maybe a punk or two could begin taking over some of the laundry duties?!
Seems like your older ones may be old enough, but you know’em much better than I do….
I love your blogs!! You are so talented, thanks for adding some joy to my day!
September 21st, 2007 at 10:01 pm
I am so blessed as my sweet husband happily does most of our laundry. I’ve lowered my expectations of perfectly folded towels. He doesn’t put away, but what a gift!
I vote for an additional husband, before 2 dryers.
Love to see the progress. Who is Mr. Construction Man?
September 21st, 2007 at 10:19 pm
Ree,
I commented on the last blog about the 2 dryers. I swear by it. I too had 4 kids,they are now 23, 22, 20 and 18. I started with the 2 dryers when the oldest was 13. I could run my washer continusly and the dryer too. No waiting for the dryer. I worked outside the home so my weekend time was precious. This really solved my laundry problem.
My other suggestion is to teach the punks to do their own laundry when they hit about 13. Teaches them responsibility (i.e. can’t whine to you when their favorite shirt is dirty) and frees you up from being a laundry slave.
I have shared this hint with many of my friends over the ears and many of them have come back and thanked me for the suggestions.
Angela
September 21st, 2007 at 10:34 pm
What fun to see the progress Ree! I vote for two dryers, something to hang things up straight out of the dryer, and LOTS of countertop space for folding! May I do your laundry when I come? Pleeeeeeze?
September 21st, 2007 at 10:58 pm
I have a fairly new dryer and it still takes longer then my washing machine. So, I vote for the two dryers. You will still be folding one load of wash at a time…but it will be quicker. It’s a good thing. ;o)
September 21st, 2007 at 11:14 pm
Just curious - why is there insulation in the interior walls?
September 21st, 2007 at 11:31 pm
Wow! You could almost have two washers and dryers in there!
September 21st, 2007 at 11:36 pm
…Such great ideas from everyone! What if you got a set of those state-of-the-art, huge, modern day front loading washer & dryer where the washer can do like 18 pair of jeans in one load? And they even come with an optional stand so you don’t have to bend over to load and unload?
…Also, what about a utility sink w/a faucet for hand washables/soaking? And I agree, you need to have counterspace or a table, a hanging rack, shelves and what about a window? Or a skylight even?
…And I agree with Angie above, your punks are old enough to start helping with the laundry and such. Couldn’t they take a day off of cow-punchin’ with Dad to help/learn to do household chores?
…Anyway, thanks for sharing and congrat’s on the new laundry room! Can’t wait to see it finished!
~Take care!
September 22nd, 2007 at 12:05 am
I have 3 lovely punks of my own…and I think I finally found the magical way to have those clothes folded. I have one laundry basket per kid (with their name written on it in BOLD Sharpie). As the laundry comes out of the dryer…I chuck each item into the owners basket. NO FOLDING!!! When it is all done, they take their own basket, fold it, and put it away. I help the youngest…teach him how to fold, where to put things in his dresser, etc. No more complaing about touching brothers/sisters underwear, and no more folding for me. Except my own and my own MM’s. I would go for the second dryer…you could do some serious laundry in not some not so serious time! Thanks for making my day, everyday.
September 22nd, 2007 at 12:18 am
Oh yeah, lots of people are doing 2 laundry rooms or 2 sets. With that many people, it just makes sense. A skylight, counter/tabletop space and utility sink are all great ideas too.
Angela is right about the punks pitching in. Age 10 is good and it’s not so hard once they learn how. But since they blow through a lot of work clothes maybe a good way to begin would be to have them keep a hamper for their night clothes and “school time”, “around the house” clothes and just do those each week. You could still keep up with the work duds but they’ll benefit from learning early on how to do an important life task and also from the responsibility for their own things.
There is nothing more pitiful than some of those sissy kids that venture out into the adult world without a clue about how to do laundry, cook basics, clean up a kitchen, bath or keep a room moderately clean and neat. On one hand it’s hard to want to lay this work on kids but on the other, it’s really doing them a favor in building skills, confidence and even pride in their “grown up” skills.
Can’t wait to see the finished laundry alter!
September 22nd, 2007 at 12:20 am
Sorry, I just remembered that my Mom always used to tell us to put “My laundry is done” on her gravestone. I never really got it until I had my own family. Now I realize the only way I will ever, ever be done is if I’m dead. Cheerful thought…that’s me, Miss Spread Sweetness and Sunshine.
September 22nd, 2007 at 12:20 am
Could you set up a washer and dryer on the front porch for the dirty outdoor clothes? Then they would never even make it into the house dirty!
September 22nd, 2007 at 12:25 am
I am completely envious! I share my laundry room with the garage and everything in it. Nothing like finding your delicates all over the back yard, thanks to the dog!
September 22nd, 2007 at 12:46 am
PATHETIC is in the eye of the beholder, I think. While a new washer/dryer and/or laundry room may not be the most romantic gift to build an anniversary celebration around, it beats the hell out of a shovel, which is what Dad gave Mom one year. True story. Farm boys, huh? Gotta love ‘em . . . or smack ‘em . . .
September 22nd, 2007 at 6:05 am
I love the idea of 2 driers, but I drool over the idea of not folding clothes. Imagine… taking a nice toasty shirt out of a drier and merely slipping it onto a hanger (hmmm…color coded for each punk?) and then onto a waiting rack for distribution into each punks closet–preferably by said punk. Jeans and sweatshirts do well on hangers too. Underwear and socks? Does anyone really need to fold them? Toss into color coded baskets.
Have you thought about 2 dishwashers? Wouldn’t it be better to have *two* so that one can always be free to fill with dirties from the latest episode of Pioneer Woman Cooks or at least the last raid by the lbscbdo-afflicted? I think so… and since my incredibly tiny galley kitchen just isn’t up to it, I will have to place all my hopes on you, PW… Go forth and wash up…uh..press those buttons.
September 22nd, 2007 at 6:06 am
i meant go forth and multiply… the appliances I mean…
September 22nd, 2007 at 6:27 am
That’s enough room for two dryers and a utility sink and a folding station by the looks of it! Lucky you. I would die for a killer laundry room. Or maybe just die so I don’t have to do the laundry anymore.
September 22nd, 2007 at 6:35 am
Joining in on the discussion of kids doing their own laundry–I just started this and it is a beautiful thing. They each have their own hampers and their own laundry day. The two oldest are now on their own with the measuring and all but I do help the two youngest, of course, and they DO fold and put it away by themselves. And you know what??? Surprisingly, they LIKE being responsible for their own laundry.
September 22nd, 2007 at 6:49 am
Even though my laundry room is not large, we have those wire shelves with the attached hanging bar underneath the shelf. (various cleaning products go on the shelves) Anything that can be hung is hung as it comes out of the dryer. The folding is then just the underwear and socks and that gets done on the couch, usually (no space for a folding table - I would LOVE that).. I like Kathleen’s idea that underwear and socks could just go into color coded baskets and never need to be folded!
Ree, how do you possibly tell apart all the kids different socks?
September 22nd, 2007 at 7:20 am
The manure-caked clothes reminded me of this: A good friend of ours grew up on a ranch in California that JUST had horses. Him and his brother were only a year apart and quite devilish at a young age. Their mother did not allow them to play in the horse manure piles (but they were actually like mountains)… HOWEVER occasionally when the manure was compiled to a mountain taller than they were (they were only like 7 and 8), they would climb up a ladder and jump in. Everytime this happened they mother would strip their clothes before they entered the house and just throw them all away (the clothes I mean)!! She’s Brazilian and grew up in the city and those sort of women are ridiculous about cleanliness. I asked her once if she ever worried about the amount of money wasted with throwing away the clothes and she said she bought their clothes 2nd hand so she felt no major financial loss and plus she ‘would go crazy… just CRAZY’ if she had to try to salvage the clothing.
September 22nd, 2007 at 7:23 am
I’d give up my big ass vanity in a second for a bigger laundry room. But in my house I’d have to give up part of my closet for a bigger laundry room and that ain’t never happenin’.
I do have to say that I noticed that little closet next to your new vanity and I think it will hold ten times the stuff the old long vanity held. Just wait, you’re going to love it more. You will no longer have to reach down for things, they will be at eye level in that closet. I can’t wait to see the finished product. looks like you are going to get more natural light with the new set up too, which I love!
September 22nd, 2007 at 7:45 am
I only have two kids and a husband who gets dirty at work, comes home, changes his clothes and then goes outside and gets dirty again. I insist on having two dryers and the next time there is a washer or dryer problem in this house I am going to insist that two washers and two dryers take up residence in my home. Isn’t it funny that I can get away with one stove but I insist on two refrigerators, a big ole chest freezer and two washers and two dryers? I wonder what that says about me.
September 22nd, 2007 at 7:57 am
RST,You insulate interior walls so the noise from the machines is muted.
September 22nd, 2007 at 8:22 am
Love the laundry room. I know you would have loved the large vanity but at least you never had it to miss.
My suggestion; Mount a door to use for a folding table over the washer and dryer. You probably won’t be able to use the pedastools but that will save some space. Get a LARGE hanging rack, from the ceiling would be nice on one side. Then have different color baskets for every member of your home to line up under the hanging clothes. It has made my life MUCH easier. That way, put them away or not, you have plenty of room to do the work!
September 22nd, 2007 at 8:26 am
We have a 2-story and have started leaving the clothes in the laundry room for the boybarians. Everyone has sliding baskets right there for their socks, stuff, and I hang everything else…. course we have 4 boys and they don’t mind dressing in the laundry room or hall. lol.
Happy Anniversary PW and MM!
September 22nd, 2007 at 8:41 am
I think someone from J.C. Penny should come to your house everyday and do the laundry for you !
What are the plans for the anniversary? Headed to the big city? Hope to hear/see all about it.
September 22nd, 2007 at 8:50 am
Watching you re-model gets me so excited. My RLM (Ralph Lauren Man) and I just bought our acreage in the country (not nearly as big as your place - but our escape from the city, anyway). We are getting ready to plan, build, etc. and it is so much fun! Yeah, I could spend that $600 at J.C. Penney real quick!!!
By the by, how do you like the washer & dryer you have purchased?
September 22nd, 2007 at 8:51 am
First of all, some of you women have fantastic laundry ideas! I love the color coding! My husband and two kids have color coded hampers and once their clothes are folded in it, they have to put it away. I despise laundry. That is a lie…I despise the drying process.
My two cents to this is that we just bought a new washer and dryer and my whole world has changed a little. We bought the Cabrio set that is HE and I get a little moment of joy whenever I use them. The dryer dries a load in about 40 minutes and the washer washes a large load of colored clothes in 39 minutes. Plus there is no agitator so I never worry about the clothes getting stuck in the center and strings all out of whack.
Ree, I am loving watching the bathroom and vanity process. I feel for you and the loss of your Dr. Pepper Bonnie Bell drawer.
Happy anniversary!!!
September 22nd, 2007 at 8:59 am
Nice, I covet the laundry room although I never use mine as it is
September 22nd, 2007 at 9:01 am
Every time I see pictures of your house I yearn to have my old Saltillo tile. It hides so many dirty sins. My current house is rife with white tile. 3 kids, 3 dogs, a Hubster that works outside all day, construction in the house.. well I think you can empathize with me. I wanted to take down the wall between what will be the new laundry room (using the word room here because there technically is a door) and the old laundry room which is being converted to a walk in pantry but the dang wall is load bearing. I guess I can always come here and look at your laundry room and fantasize a bit.
September 22nd, 2007 at 9:27 am
You HAVE to put something interesting on the walls….a big ol’ picture of a beach scene, or cool mountain view, or better yet ~ one of your fantastic photos! Whatever would give you something beautiful to look at while folding your mountains of laundry.
Hmmm- wonder if you could convince MM a big screen TV is a laundry room necessity???? *G* Enjoy your new room!
God Bless Y’all!
Donna Mc
GA
September 22nd, 2007 at 9:59 am
Ree, I vote for 2 dryers. Your laundry room is going to be great. The suggestions here should help you with folding and sorting. I can’t wait to see the finished product.
September 22nd, 2007 at 11:41 am
My life’s ambition has been to own two washers and two dryers so I can do lights and darks at the same time. Not the most lofty ambition, but it sure would make my life easier! I have the front-loading machines and the washer and dryer take about the same time.
I say give each person a place in the laundry room where you sort their things and then make them come there when they are out of stuff.
Happy anniversary!
September 22nd, 2007 at 11:49 am
I love it! I think a huge laundry room will make for a better fit. Besides you can always take over part of MM’s vanity space right? hahahaha
Happy Anniversary!
September 22nd, 2007 at 12:54 pm
Hi, Ree, I rarely post, but sure love coming here to read about your escapades. Your family & life are so very entertaining. I’m esp. enjoying your new laundryroom renovation, since I really get into that sort of stuff myself. I feel for you with all that laundry & I agree that 2 dryers would surely help the situation some. What a day you have with all those kids & all that laundry & preparing ALL that food! You’re a good mama!
Can’t wait to see this all finished. It must be chaos around there for awhile.
Rhoda in B’ham, AL
September 22nd, 2007 at 3:29 pm
Ree, How about 2 washers and 2 dryers. Boys with 4wheelers also make a mess. expecially when it just rained. They strip in the Laundry room (which happens to be an enterance)and hop into the shower. lol. I feel your pain. Congrats on the new room.
September 22nd, 2007 at 4:25 pm
My Mom had a sure fire way to get us to help do the laundry:
She threatened on a daily basis to join a nudist colony. ‘Course, on a ranch, that would mean a LOT of sunscreen!!
September 22nd, 2007 at 5:19 pm
There are some clothes I like to dry completely in the dryer.
Then there are those clothes (delicates, knitwear, etc) which I like to run through the dryer until they’re semi-dry — then hang them on a hanger to finish drying. So I got my husband to hang a rail up in my laundry room. That enables me to pull things out of the dryer - put them on a hanger (still damp, and wrinkle free — woo hoo - very little ironing!) and hang ‘em on the rail, making room for more clothes to go in the dryer. It helps the never-ending-cycle of laundry to be a little more efficient.
You’ve got a great laundry room now. You could easily have a rail installed (wall to wall above/across the washer and dryer).
I have one in my laundry room and it has made SUCH a difference to the process of doing laundry. Plus it’s a good use of space.
Oh, we also installed an extractor fan to keep the room dry.
I’m putting very similar tiles (flooring) in my cloak room and guest toilet soon. Good, hard wearing stuff!
September 22nd, 2007 at 8:17 pm
I have the new energy efficient front loaders. The washer and dryer are done about the same time, so I don’t think the two dryer idea is going to help you much. I’d much, much rather have a huge folding table, massive sorting bins, a hanging rack and cubbies.
Love the room, that tile will look just fine once it’s grouted. Sorry you had to give up your vanity though, such is life for those of us in the boonies.
September 23rd, 2007 at 5:56 am
Doesn’t anyone dry their clothes outside on the line over there?! Two dryers??!!! I hardly know anyone with one dryer here. You could even string up a line under that verandah - it looks huge.
I have 3 clothes lines here. That’s how I get the majority of my exercise. The main one hubby placed up on a hill about a mile from the laundry - well it feels that far once I’ve finished walking up the hill…..great butt exercise though.
September 23rd, 2007 at 7:28 am
leave her alone, she’s a bright girl and she already has this figured out,you don’t tear down walls until you do folks…. two dryers yes, all this cubbies business and stuff… fold it on a table…… you have to fold after all Eve ate the apple. Then hand it to the kids, threaten them and tell them to high tail it to their rooms and put it away…. or they don’t eat…. usually they come in hungry, right….. withholding food always works
September 23rd, 2007 at 7:58 am
Jayda, I’m actually considering a clothesline, too, as I’ve tried drying white sheets outside before and have loved the results. That sun is a powerful bleaching tool!
I want you all to know that I’ve kept a running list of your laundry room suggestions, and I’m continually reviewing them & trying to figure out which one would work best for me. I’m really hung up on the 2-dryer thing. I do have the space for it, but I’d have to give up some cubbie/hanging/folding space for it. I’ll ultimately wind up flipping a coin, as either way, I’m sure, would work just fine.
One thing I have learned from your comments is the hanging-to-dry thing. I never do it, but that because I haven’t had the space. The idea of a wall-to-wall hanging rod is interesting…
September 23rd, 2007 at 8:41 am
Very nice room. It will be well used. I must say I feel a bit guilty though. My laundry room is literally being used as a third bedroom and there is still plenty of room for the laundry. But I only have one punk and she does her own laundry. My husband is retired and he does the rest. I hope you do decide to go with 2 dryers, that would really cut down your work don’t you think?
September 23rd, 2007 at 11:17 am
Ree,
One suggestion is re. the height of your folding table and hanging rod. I know that you are quite tall, and that the punks are considerably shorter at this point. Make sure that your counter spaces (laundry and vanity) are high enough to be comfortable for you, so that you don’t have to bend way over. Also, have a bit of counter space at a good height for your punk helpers–and a hanging bar they can reach as well. I love the separate basket theory. Also, as someone suggested, have a large sink that will be suitable for soaking or hand-washing.
I love sheets dried outside, but we have too many trees with pooping birds to even think about it.
My SIL loves to do laundry- so much that she pulls items out of the dryer every 5 minutes and hangs them up (she calls it “blowing out”) AND her 18 yoa punk arrived here in our city for college completely clueless about how to wash his own clothes. Rather than visiting and touring with us, she spent the afternoon with him in the dorm laundry room. Don’t let that be you!
Good luck! I hope you had a lovely anniversary.
Take care, p.j.
September 23rd, 2007 at 12:20 pm
I have no new ideas for the laundry room but a funny story about mine…sort of. When my son was about 3, he was at my mom’s house “helping” her clean out a large walk-in closet. He asked her what room that was and she said, “the closet”. His reply was that we did not have those in our house to which she said, “sure you do, Jacob. Where do you think your mom keeps all the clothes?” His repsonse was, “oh, the dryer”. That sums up my laundry history…very sad.
September 23rd, 2007 at 1:02 pm
About the two dryers - it has to do a lot with how long the duct work is to get outside for venting. If your laundry room is close to outside, with the duct hole on an outside wall, the dryer dries faster. So, it may be a good idea to have two dryers - Ree, which machine gets done more quickly now? Use that as your gauge.
I also use some of the hints mentioned before - color coded laundry baskets for all family members, and hanging my husband’s clothing right out of the dryer. Everyone in the family is responsible for putting their own clothes away, and getting the baskets back downstairs. We paid a bit more for hubby’s dress shirts & slacks that don’t need to be ironed - that way I can cheat and just hang them up!
I started training my 4 year old to put away his clothes after I folded them. He’s now 6, and is still going strong! Little does he know that at age 12, he’s going to be doing his own laundry….
Enjoy the new laundry room, and keep blogging! Sure do love my “Pioneer Woman” break in my hectic day!
September 23rd, 2007 at 1:24 pm
One thing I have found helpful, is making a pile of clothes for each member of the family (I have seven kids) and having them take care of folding/hanging/putting away of said apparrel. The youngest ones also take turns switching laundry.
September 23rd, 2007 at 6:09 pm
I agree with the idea to get the kiddos involved. Even the youngest can match up socks and “deliver” clean laundry to each room/bed. Then have the owners put it away themselves.
I know they work hard on the ranch, but these skills are the simplest necessities if they plan on getting out on their own, right?
Can’t wait to see the result!
September 23rd, 2007 at 11:11 pm
YES! on the dual washers/dryers. YES! on the table for folidng and the rod for hanging. YES! on the individual laundry baskets for each kiddo. BUT…really ladies…who gives a hoot whether they actually fold the stuff after it gets to their rooms??? It’s clean, isn’t it?
One absolutely VITAL thing for that laundry room that I haven’t seen in all the comments above, THAT LAUNDRY ROOM NEEDS A COUPLE OF CEILING FANS!!!!!!!!!! Do you know how hot it’s going to be in there w/o windows and with two dryers??
September 24th, 2007 at 7:29 am
The Two Dryer thing is a must. My single male friend recently rewired his house, and added a dryer. He is running a household with his 3 teen boys. He said, it cut his laundry time in more than half.
He doesn’t have to wait for dryer to get finished before doing more wash, doesn’t have WET clothes in baskets waiting to get dry. and..he can be in there working on a load as two more are drying etc. I think the space lost in counter top would be MORE THAN worth it.
….and forget about the punks helping. Have laundry be a punk free zone, where YOU can think and be quiet, and escape!! Install a Latte’ machine in there and make the room work for YOU!
September 24th, 2007 at 11:03 am
I agree with Jayda. Get a great clothes line.
I guess this is a regional thing, but where I live everyone has a clothesline. Mine, like most, goes off the back deck of the house with a wheel pulley and runs right to the back of our lot — long enough for three large loads of laundry and I never leave the step. I hear so many people (women) here talk about how much they love standing outside to use the clothes line — there is something really great about the smells and the sunlight and the breeze. Two suggestions: use fabric softener and don’t hang clothes if you are spreading manure on the fields.
Anyone else use clothes lines??
September 24th, 2007 at 11:06 am
Oh and…. more about the clothesline —a load drys in about 1-2 hours on the average good drying day and clothes are MUCH, MUCH easier to fold.
September 24th, 2007 at 11:33 am
Oh, the hanging rod thing…yes, I have one of those too & it’s great. I take still damp clothes out or delicate knits that I don’t want to fry in the dryer & promptly hang them up to dry on my clothesrod. I have a really cute laundryroom (so it’s function, but looks great too), but the rod was one thing I had to have. It’s a must! You can get different sized wooden closet rods at Home Depot or Lowes really cheap. Mine goes from one side of a hanging cabinet over to the wall. You, on the otherhand, will probably need a really looooonnnng one!
Take care!
Rhoda in B’ham
September 24th, 2007 at 1:50 pm
Is it just me or is the final vanity picture still the vanity in progress picture? The last two pics are the same when I view the page. ?? I don’t see anyone else mention it, so am I crazy?? Well, are my eyes deceiving me?
September 24th, 2007 at 7:25 pm
Have no interest in 2 dryers. My Mom had 2 and it didn’t make life easier. I’d much rather have the extra space, but that’s just me. Now days with the energy efficient appliances drying does not take that long - plus line drying jeans, sheets and towels is so much better than a dryer!
September 24th, 2007 at 7:39 pm
I always had a large laundry room, and with four kids, I couldn’t think of anything worse than one of those closet style laundry rooms. We are all also sort of tall, so never liked to dry our pants or long sleeved shirts, so also always had several rails to hang dry items. Now two of the kids are off at college, and I work outside the house, but guess what, still don’t like to machine dry any of my work clothes. Also had several lines outside, which I love for jeans in the summer. Actually here inthe almost desert of southern Colorado, you can dry stuff outside almost any day. Mostly just to have all that floor space for baskets so icould always sort things out as soon as I took them in to the laundry room, then just run a basket when it gets full.
September 24th, 2007 at 9:41 pm
Good grief, Ree! I’m so far behind in these comments but I just HAD to tell you when you mentioned your kids would have to wear bathing suits as underwear….I used to be “known” for that. LOL By people I worked with no less. Of course, I did accidentally put my pants on backwards one day, too but that’s another story.
Anyway, your bathing suit reference brought back memories and gave me such a good laugh.
September 25th, 2007 at 3:12 pm
I don’t know if this will work at all for your situation, but maybe there’s a way you could cut down on the amount of washing instead of buying another dryer? This sounds a little odd, but I once had a friend who made her kids wear coveralls (actually, they just looked like jumpsuits) over their clothes because they’d get filthy from playing outside all day. Then again, they didn’t work on a ranch so maybe it’s not that handy for your punks…
In any case, congratulations on the new laundry room! Can’t wait to see it when it’s finished.
September 25th, 2007 at 10:37 pm
An older family friend has the two washers/dryers. Husbands really dirty/greasing work clothes in one and everything else in the other. three kids use to live there too. I was always in awe of those double machines thinking about how much laundry could be done at once. Kind of like when I lived on my own in an apartment with a great laundry room. Four machines and dryers lined up. She had turned the back part of the house off the kitchen into this fabulous work space. Great for organizing entertaining. She even went so far as to turn a powder room into a walk in fridge. I’ve gone off track but I love her space.
As far as the dryer thing. I love the idea of the amount of washing time two of each would cut down on. I wouldn’t get one washer and two dryers though. With the new machines the drying time is better but if you use dryer balls it cuts down the time even more. They also fluff up your clothes. I “got to” replace my washer, chose an extra capacity one. Wasn’t able to get a new dryer so it is still an old not extra capacity dryer. Took twice as long to dry as to wash. Now that I am using the dryer balls the dryer only takes slightly longer then the wash. I also don’t use fabric softener or dryer sheets anymore. Love the dryer balls. http://www.nellieslaundry.com/Dryerballs.html
I am also one to send the kids to their rooms with the clean folded clothes. They are 4 and 5 and the 2 year old even carries a couple of things up to his room. My girlfriend just washes now and lets her kids sort and take clean clothes to their rooms. She doesn’t care if they are folded or neat. Just in their rooms and in the drawers. She has four ages 4-8.
September 25th, 2007 at 10:41 pm
That was a really long entry.
I forgot to add that I would love to have a line to dry on but living in a somewhat northern part of Canada doesn’t leave a lot of days to dry outside. The dog doesn’t help either. She gets great joy in leaping until she has it and then rolling, dragging, sucking and then ripping it apart. My husband would have to put in a telephone pole to achieve a really functional drying line and then the weather would get in the way again.
September 27th, 2007 at 3:41 pm
Love what you are doing with the renovation. My favorite part was seeing my cousin Jerry in his overhauls! He does clean up well…lol
October 1st, 2007 at 12:23 pm
I understand the dryer balls mentioned in post 104 are very effective, I have some ordered and looking forward to trying them out