The Naked Laundry System: A Simple, ADHD-Friendly Laundry Routine
Laundry used to be one of those household chores that I just couldn’t keep up with. The endless sorting, folding, and putting things away made it feel like an impossible task. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by a mountain of laundry (especially if you have ADHD), then you might find my Naked Laundry System to be a game-changer. This system breaks laundry down into small, manageable pieces, so you only wash what you actually need—no massive piles, no complicated sorting.
Why the “Normal” Way of Doing Laundry Didn’t Work for Me
The “normal” laundry routine—the one society teaches us—is an all-in-one task. We’re supposed to gather up every piece of clothing into one giant pile, sort everything by color, wash each load separately, fold each item, and then put it all away. But for a lot of people, especially those with ADHD, this approach can feel incredibly overwhelming.
Sorting by color is often one of the first steps in the “normal” routine, and it’s supposed to prevent colors from bleeding or fading. But let’s be real—modern washing machines have come a long way. Sorting by color isn’t as essential as it once was, especially if you wash on cold. Despite this, we’re taught to separate whites, darks, and colors, adding more steps and creating even more of an obstacle.
For years, I thought I was “bad” at laundry because I couldn’t keep up with these steps. The traditional process just didn’t match how my brain works. I needed a system that simplified the process, broke it down, and didn’t require the constant mental load of sorting and folding. That’s when I created the Naked Laundry System.
Elements of my no-sort / no-fold / small-load system:
This system has completely transformed how I handle laundry. Here’s how it works:
Sort as You Go - Instead of throwing everything into one big bin, I sort each item as I undress. Pants go in the “dirty pants” bin, tops go in a “dirty tops” bin, workout pants go in their own dirty bin. This way, each clothing category is pre-sorted and ready for washing on its own. No need for a massive sorting session at the end, and no giant pile of mixed clothes to intimidate me. Each bin is small and manageable.
Don’t Sort by Color - Modern washing machines don’t need color sorting like they used to, especially if you wash everything on cold. Just saying.
One Category at a Time - The best part? You only wash what you need. Running low on socks? Just grab that bin and wash it. If you’re out of workout leggings, wash the bin with your workout clothes. This way, laundry becomes a continuous process rather than a giant chore you do once a week (or once a month, if you’re like I used to be!). It keeps things bite-sized, so I’m never drowning in laundry.
Throw in a Towel or Two - Here’s a little trick I added to the system: throw one or two towels in with each load. Towels help fill up the load, making the wash cycle more efficient, and they’re easy to fold and put back. This way, I avoid those huge, dreaded “towel-only” loads, and the whole laundry process stays smoother and less overwhelming.
Dirty Bin Becomes Clean Bin - When a bin of dirty clothes is full, I wash it, dry it, and that same bin becomes the new clean bin. The now-empty bin then switches over to become the new dirty bin (sometimes you’ll have some remaining clean clothes to combine before you scoot it over).
See-Through Bins for Visual Reminders - I went through a lot of options to find the right bins—see-through, lightweight, with handles. Acrylic was too heavy and clunky, so I ended up with simple, see-through bins from Amazon. Being able to see what’s in each bin is key for my ADHD brain; it prevents things from getting “out of sight, out of mind.” I know at a glance if my workout clothes are low or if a specific bin needs washing soon.
Automate Reminders with AI Task Manager - I use my AI Task Manager (hello shelpful!) to keep me on track. I added an NFC tag to my washer, so with a quick tap, I can set a reminder to move the laundry from washer to dryer. This little boost from technology has saved me from so many forgotten loads, which used to lead to rewashing and wasted time. The reminders keep me moving through the process without the mental burden of having to remember each step.
Folding Only When Needed - The beauty of the Naked Laundry System is that you only fold when it’s actually needed. If a shirt is prone to wrinkling, I’ll give it a quick fold and tuck it into the clean bin with the rest of the unfolded clothes. This way, I’m keeping things organized without the added stress of a full folding session, and I avoid ending up with a pile of wrinkled clothes.
Why This System Works (and Why It Might Work for You)
The Naked Laundry System redefines laundry as a low-stress, continuous process. Instead of tackling a huge pile all at once, you’re only ever dealing with one small bin at a time. By sorting as I go, skipping unnecessary color sorting, and using clear bins for easy visual reminders, laundry has gone from a dreaded, overwhelming task to something I can handle a little bit at a time.
For me, this system is all about working with my brain instead of against it. The steps are minimized, and each one is designed to reduce the mental load that laundry used to bring. If you’re someone who’s balancing work, family, or just trying to stay on top of daily life without feeling buried, the Naked Laundry System might be the low-maintenance approach you’ve been looking for.
5 Steps to Get Started with the Naked Laundry System
If this system sounds like it might work for you, here’s how to get started in five simple steps:
Start with a $0 Test
Don’t buy anything yet! Test the system using items you already have at home. Find two baskets, bins, or containers and try it out with one category of clothing, like socks or face washcloths. Sort one bin for dirty items and one for clean. This lets you see if the system works for you before committing to a full setup. I started with socks and then face washcloths, gradually testing more categories based on how many random bins I could find in my house.Pick Categories That Make Sense for Your Routine
Think about what you need most often. Workout clothes? Undergarments? Start with the categories you tend to run out of quickly or that cause the most stress when they’re unavailable. This will help you experience the system’s benefits early on and stay motivated to keep going.Find the Right Shelf and Bins for You
Once you’ve tested the idea and know it works, invest in a setup that fits your space. Look for lightweight, see-through bins and a shelf that keeps everything organized and easy to reach. Here are my bins. PRO TIP: if you don’t have an existing shelf, you could hang the bins on the wall using plant hangers (the things you would use for a plant hanging from your wall). They are long, they have a hook at the end so it won’t slide off. they are perfect!Tap any Tech you need
Shelpful’s habit management features can provide additional support, with gentle nudges and reminders to help you stay on track. You can also use Shelpful with NFC tags!Test for a Week and Adjust as Needed
Try the system for at least a week and pay attention to what works and what doesn’t. Are the bins the right size? Would a different location make them easier to use? Adjust the setup until it feels natural and fits your routine. Once you’re comfortable, you can scale up to include more categories of clothing and refine your system further.
These steps will help you ease into the Naked Laundry System without feeling like you’re committing to a major overhaul all at once. Starting small lets you build confidence—and momentum!—while keeping things simple.
If this approach sounds like it could be a fit, give it a try. Creating systems that actually work for your lifestyle can make a huge difference.
TRY USING SHELPFUL to help prod you along >>
NEXT: Here’s a blog post addressing more ick factors too
