Readers Respond: Laundry Tips for Living With Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Responses: 59

Updated February 04, 2010

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I have have purchased a front loading washer and dryer. I also got the elevated stands. The stands are great. I am 5' 2'' and can handle every thing at chest level. The bottom drawers are perfect for storing laundry supplies. Even Clothes hangers can be stored there.
—mullit

Thank you for the great info! I do things very similarly as i have the fibro fatigue and back problems among other issues. I use the lots of smaller baskets at least 1 for each family member and also have my kids put away their own clothes after helping me fold all of it. My 4 kids range in age from 5-11 and are learning a useful skill for later...i already told them i am not going to their houses when they move out and doing their laundry :) They also help with switching loads so I don't have to lift and bend. My husband is the most help and i really appreciate how well he helps me in everything. I believe we all need a good team and support system! With our kids and our spouses.
—Guest Roberta

My biggest help that I have found, was to get a liquid container from Walmart. It is a container that is normally used for water or ice tea, I use it to store my liquid laundry soap. I have it sitting on my shelf above my washer. All I have to do is flip open the spout, fill up the measuring cup and pour the soap into the washer. I no longer have to lift my soap which was hard for me to do. It was a very inexpensive and wonderful way to take away some of the pain of doing laundry. It can hold two containers of laundry soap so it doesn't need to be refilled very often at all. I hope you find this helpful for you.
—ccran1

Always keep one button done when putting in dirty laundry. It is easier for me to put away when putting away.
—Guest vicki

i HAVE THE OPPOSITE PROBLEM TO MOST OF U HERE Reaching up to the clothes line to peg out clothes I use hangars for my wife's things because she's very fussy.my shoulders started burning whilst reaching up in 1968-1970 working as a mechanic.
—Guest Dallas

I put everything over my shoulder when taking laundry up to the landing, it dries very quickly on the airer there, if I am putting out in the garden then I put it on a plastic garden chair and take it from there. I do not do any ironing at all really unless I absolutely have to!!! I shake things carefully...in case I hurt my shoulders then I fold things carefully as they come off the line or airer... no ironing.
—Guest heligull

I use those shopping trolley/ bags with wheels that you sometimes see the elderly use to do their shopping! I can cope with pulling or pushing that way more than carrying a basket! Also use them for getting groceries from car to kitchen! I pull my wet clothes out of washing machine with big clothes first so they are at the bottom and smaller stuff on top. Hang everything straight onto hangers and when dry load straight back into wheelie bag, hanger and all to wheel back upstairs to wardrobes. Can't fit as much in because of hangers but still so much easier wheeling not carrying baskets! Dirty laundry goes straight into wheelie trolley. I have wheelies in the garage for groceries , patio for the logs for the fire, the laundry room and bedrooms for dirty clothes! They don't take up much room as they stand upright behind doors! ** love them**
—Guest Lynn Griffiths- Australia

Instead of lifting laundry baskets and carrying them around the house, I put an old belt on it and drag it; then I lift it once and dump into the washer slowly sorting if needed.
—Guest Vickie

I use Purex laundry sheets.These replace detergent,softener and anti cling products.They are not heavy,just a small box.easy to bring in from the store,take to laundry room and store. they save my poor hurting body from start to finish.after they come out of the dryer I use them to scrub the sinks and shower doors.I love this product.they seem pricey but they replace several products so they really are not.
—Guest conni owensby

Don't fold at all. Get a basket for every family member that is kept by the dryer. Place clothing in there and people can either dig trhough to find their clothes or fold and put away themselves. Use the time you save to stretech and do self trigger point therapy to get better.
—Guest Lisa

if it wasn't for my hubby, laundry would not get done. I have a top loading washer and to get the clothes out kills me in spasms n pain. I do try to do it myself from time to time. love the hints.
—b1gmama

I am very fortunate. Even when I felt well laundry was not my favorite. When my body started to hate me...it was even harder. I have 5 kids and I decided they are all old enough to do their own! Only my 7 ur old gets my help.
—Guest Erin Young

i use a laundry trolley so i dont have to bend when hanging clothes. but most of the time my hubby and daughter do the washing so i dont hurt or fatigue myself! god i love them!
—Guest leanne

I was Dx'd with Fibro at 56 years. As we were nearing retirement we began to replace major appliances. More money but well worth it, we got front loaders w/out the stands as I am 5' tall. Sitting on a short rolling stool, almost eleminates bending. For heavy loads, my husband helps with the drier as I cannot get in front of it. My laundry basket is kidney shaped, the dent fits right on my hip with little weight on my back. I too put the clean sheets back on the bed, and re-hang hand towels and face cloths. I can sit on the couch to "fold" clothes. Anything but the very best gets folded long ways then rolled as you do for packing a suitcase. So much easier to do and to put neatly in a drawer. I have two cupboards and a hanging rod over the machines. They require a reacher for me, but everything is right there. Frankly, I hate laundry and always have, so I try to just blank out what I am doing and get one or two loads done each day.
—Guest Mudnglue

I discarded my old wicker hampers in my walk in closet and replaced with the pop up mesh net kind. One for whites and one for colors. I now simply drag the laundry from one end of my ranch home to the laundry room at the other end. Much lighter to just up-end into washer and already sorted!
—stretchcunningham

Adrienne Dellwo
Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Guide

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