This survey was given to me and I thought I’d share it with you along with my answers.

PLANNING

Do you keep a list of items you need? Mental or written?

I keep a list using my Smartshopper.  Otherwise, I’d be a mess and forget everything and since I live so far from town, I can’t forget!

Thinking about laundry, once an item is on your list, what triggers you to re-purchase? Is it the same for all laundry segments, for instance stain fighters or fabric softener?

Loyalty and sale price.  When it comes to detergent, I’m a loyal user of 3 brands.  I’m willing to try new things but since I’ve used the same ones for so long, it’s just habit to keep buying them.   I always wait for it to come on sale too.  Even if I have 3 bottles, if a good sale is happening, I stock up.  I always Now with stain fighters and fabric softener, I usually go for what’s on sale.

How do you choose which retailer to shop at?

I shop at Wal-mart or Kmart because that is what we have.  There is only one other grocery store that is way to expensive to shop at.

SHOPPING

How do you identify the laundry aisle?

It’s before the beer and after the toilet paper! lol

Do you go to the laundry aisle if laundry isn’t on your list?

No.  Do y’all?

How do you select your laundry items in the aisle? What do you select first, second…? Do you start at one end of the aisle and work down? Only pick up what is on your list?

I always get my detergent first, fabric softener second, static sheets third, and bleach last.  And I only get what’s on my list.  Who wants to spend extra in that aisle? I don’t.

Do you ever stock up on laundry items (buy more than what you immediately need)? Why or why not?

If it’s a great sale, then yes I do.  If I got a coupon that makes it a great price, then yes I do.

Do you spend time in the aisle to notice what’s new or to browse?

I really don’t. Like I said earlier, the last thing I want to do is spend my extra time shopping for something I hate to do.  The best way to get my attention with a new product at the store is to have it in the middle aisle or on the end cap.

Anything that irritates you about the aisle or that would make it a better shopping experience?

Not really. The only thing that comes to mind is when a brand does a new design and I can’t figure out which one it is that I normally buy.  I love the variety of scents though because I like to mix it up, even in the laundry room.

USAGE

Describe your laundry routine?

I have a laundry basket with the 3 bins separating whites, colors, and darks.  My “darks” are our jeans and I have another laundry basket for towels, sheets, etc.  I start with whites always just in case something happens to bleed from the colors.  I move to jeans, colors, then towels.  I use detergent and softener, putting them in the washer first.  Once done, I throw them in the dryer while tossing another load in the washer.  Once dry, I throw them all on the folding table I have directly across from the dryer.  I have a bar to hang up shirts and I fold everything else and leave it on the table until done.  Once everything is folded and hung up, I use my awesome laundry basket, like the ones you find a laundry mats, to take the clothes to their home.  It makes it much easier for me instead of walking back and forth.  The whole process repeated daily, over and over again.  blech

Do you have an HE machine?

Not yet!

Do you have help from other family members?

Yes, my two oldest boys do their own laundry.  I don’t touch theirs.  My oldest is great at it. Washes, puts in the dryer, and puts them up immediately.  My middle son is not as disciplined.  He does the washer and dryer but then throws them on the folding table until I make him put them up.

What products do you use in your laundry routine? What laundry additives do you use? Do you use them in every load?

Every load except whites get detergent, softener and static sheets.  Whites get that and bleach.  Tough stains get pretreated.

Are you happy with the results you get?

Yes, I’ve developed a regimen that works for me and I’m very happy with it.  Our clothes are clean, don’t fade, and smell good.

Do you have any personal tips or tricks that you use to approach laundry problems (ie, tough stains)?

Most of the time, I use coke to get stains out like blood and grease, which is common ’round here.  Coke seems to get out anything.  And yes, even on whites.

Also, I find that having a bar to hang clothes and a folding table really makes it easier. I’m more apt to get them out and put them up right then.  Always keep hangers on your bar.

What problems/stains do you have in the laundry room that you would like help with?

My problem is motivation.  The only help you can give me is a maid that will do it for me.

I’m not a spotless gal by any means!!! I could have totally cleaned this up before taking pictures but I knew I had to keep it real with you guys.  Below is my folding table where we throw everything to from the dryer. Underneath is out dog food, another basket of dirty clothes, and our wet/dry vac.

Here’s my washer and dryer. I keep the detergent on the dryer and the bleach, softener, stain fighters, and static sheets up in the cabinet. You can see my bar, with hangers.

And this is my favorite laundry basket. It’s just like the ones at the laundry-mat! lol  It was here when we moved in and I ain’t givin’ it up!  It has dirty sheets and stuff right now but normally it’s filled with clean clothes to be put up.

So, these are the things that work for me.  To recap:

• Do at least one load a day.
• Have a hanging bar for when clothes come right of the dryer. Prevents wrinkling too;)
• Use a folding table.
• Use a laundry basket with bins so that your clothes are already separated.
• Make your kids do their own laundry! lol

ENTER TO WIN

As part of the entire “Complete the Cycle” campaign, the folks at Clorox & Collective Bias sent me a very nice little laundry kit, and have given me FIVE kits to give away here onACowboy’s Wife Each kit includes:

* A laminated copy of the Complete the Cycle Laundry Regimen Guide
* 50 oz bottle of  Laundry Detergent
* 34 oz bottle of Downy Ultra
* 22 oz bottle of Clorox 2 Ultra
* A Clorox Bleach Pen
* Coupon for 1 Free bottle of Clorox Bleach
* A Flip Fold- Ultimate Folding Tool
* A laundry basket

Collective Bias and their client, Clorox, used our input to come up with this free printable “Complete the Cycle” laundry guide. It covers how to use various additives and has a handy stain removal chart!

To enter:

Leave a comment telling me YOUR laundrey habits??  What tips can you share with us about the way you do laundry?  Share your favorite brands and why you love them or tell me the ones you don’t like and why.  Lemme hear all about it!

This giveaway will run from 8/17 until midnight EST 9/1.