Could you wash all your clothing in one day?

Wednesday, September 24, 2025

NEW ON THE BLOG:

I've been reading a series of books set back in the 1800s and am continually in awe of how much time and energy it took to clean their tiny homes and modest wardrobes each week.

Apparently, most poor and even middle-class families had so little clothing that every item was washed each week (often in one day and often by hand). That got me thinking... could I realistically wash every item of clothing I own in one day?

I wasn't sure... so I tried it!

I pulled everything out of my closet and dresser and washed it all (I also decluttered a bunch -- more on that below).

I didn't wash swimsuits or winter gear, but everything else -- t-shirts and gym shorts, socks and PJs, dresses and skirts, jeans and sweaters -- got washed in one long morning.

If asked, I'd say I have a fairly small wardrobe, but it sure felt like A LOT of clothing when I pulled everything out and washed, dried, and folded/hung it up again.

I certainly don't think we should wash every item of clothing every week... but it is an interesting "lens" to view our wardrobes with.

What do you think?

Could you wash every item of your clothing in a day? If the thought overwhelms you, it might be time to declutter (keep reading below for tips on that).

On the other hand, if you're looking for a new motivational tactic, give it a try! Pull everything out of your closet and dresser, wash it all, and then see what you decide to put back. I was shocked that I donated 4 paper grocery bags of just MY clothing!

It's been rewarding to open my closet doors and enjoy a little extra space, along with the knowledge that everything inside is fresh and clean.

Let me know if you try this... I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Happy decluttering!

simple food.

This whole-grain apple cake is our family's favorite apple dessert... and I make it on repeat when fall apples arrive at our local orchards.

It's packed with nutrients (we sometimes eat it for breakfast!) and the homemade cinnamon yogurt whipped cream is absolutely amazing!

get the recipe -->

organized home.

If your closet is overflowing but you still feel like you have nothing to wear, it might be time for a reset.

Follow these 6 simple steps to help you clear the clutter, reclaim your space, and make getting dressed more enjoyable too!

keep reading -->

intentional living.

Your appliances will last much longer if you properly maintain them... saving you lots of money and hassle over the course of your homeownership.

With all the talk about laundry, I thought this might be a good topic to revisit. September is a great time to clean out your dryer vents before the weather turns cold!

learn more -->

In other news...

Seasonal Maintenance: In addition to washing all my clothing, decluttering my closet, and thoroughly cleaning out our dryer vent, I also deep-cleaned our dishwasher and our garbage disposal. Then I changed out the bag on our main vacuum and cleaned the filters on our stick vacuum. I usually do the dishwasher every 3 months, and the vacuum bags/filters every 6 months -- often with the change of the seasons as my "reminder".

An Easy Clutter-Free Gift Idea: We've been invited to a slew of kids' birthday parties over the last few months... and I'm tired of trying to come up with clever/creative/fun gift ideas without spending a fortune. My solution -- we gift them each one of these "cash boxes" with as many $1 bills as their age. My kids love it, the birthday kids love it, it's quick and easy, and it doesn't require wrapping!

Speaking of Birthdays... Clara turns 8 tomorrow!! I'll share pictures of the birthday girl next week... but for now, I'll leave you with my favorite picture from her newborn shoot.

I'd go back in time for a few hours of squishy toddler hugs and to hear their squeaky voices, but that's it. Life with bigger kids is so much fun!