Have a designated spot for all dirty clothes so that each family member knows where to put them. Alternatively, put a basket for collecting dirty clothes in each person's bedroom. At the weekend , go through the house and collect the dirty laundry and put it in the centrally located hamper.

Plan and utilise the time between different wash cycles to mark labels of clothes with initials of children who wear similar sizes or outfits. This is a must if two or more family members wear the same size annd colour of socks.

Install or utilise existing shelves to store your detergent, bleach, and fabric softeners close to your washing machine. Have spoons ready to measure your detergents, fabric whiteners and softeners.

• Use plastic milk crates, tall plastic pails that are otherwise meant for garbageor plastic tubs sorting dirty laundry.

• Designate a basket specifically for stained and badly soiled clothing only.

• Use zipper mesh lingeree bags for each person's socks, undergarments and vests.

• Safety pin socks together to avoid matching later.

• Avoid the mounds by following the rule: as soon as a basket fills, wash it.

• For easy sorting for every family member, use different colour containers for each of them.

• Sort clothes according to whites, reds, and darks.

• Sort delicate clothes and tough-wash towels and linen separately.

Avoid post-washing blues

• If you choose not to sort and wash all clothes together, then bleach your whites once per month.

• Keep a basket or two handy for removing washed clothes from the machine for folding.

• Keep a small basket or clothespin bag next to your washing machine for stocking orphan socks.

Fold and store away clothes as soon as they are dry. Put the clothes away immediately after folding, or designate certain days each week to put away folded clothes if there are too many.

• Make it a game to get the kids involved—sit in a circle with clothes in the middle. Have the kids fold and put their clothes into piles. This can be done while watching television.

• To initiate kids into folding their own clothes, get them started with towels and napkins.

• Use small colourful plastic baskets to put folded clothes into. Have children pick up their baskets and put their folded clothes into their drawers and shelves.

By picking and choosing from the ideas here, you can evolve a system that will help you master your laundry pile before it gets the better of you. Quickly and efficiently get to the bottom of the pile for that top of the world feeling.

— Compiled by Chetna Banerjee