Bounce.

i have laundry problems.
i do.
with seven people in the house we have a lot of dirty laundry!

so here is my NEW system.... their names on the wall... their dirty clothes in hampers under their name.
they aren't allowed more than one basket in the laundry room and the most important rule to me is
NO CLOTHES ON THE FLOOR.

everyone gets a day of the week to wash their own clothes... even my 7 year old.
it goes oldest to youngest and then dad & mom.

IF they get it in the washer before school i told them i would help them by moving it to the dryer for them
if i have time and if they have been behaving well i will even fold it for them.
they are highly motivated to get their laundry started before school now.
BUT they have to take it to their rooms and put it away.

(thank you to the blog reader who gave me that suggestion!)

the other change in our laundry room is the addition of the Bounce Dryer Bar.


it has been so helpful for us especially with so many different people using the same laundry room.
this is one step that is already done.
with the Bounce Dryer Bar, it's automatic.


it does just what the box says it does.
"Stick it and forget it!" for up to 3 months!!



it looks kind of like a bar of soap when it's out of the packaging.
it's attached to the Bounce Dryer Bar cradle, which has an adhesive backing on it.
peel off the paper and stick it to the inside of your dryer.
like this:

it works the same as dryer sheets but i don't have to remember to put the dryer sheet in!
i was always forgetting and we had so much static in our clothes.

it's made from the same stuff as dryer sheets but just molded into a bar.
the clothes bounce around and the dryer heats up and it gets your clothes fresh and controls the static.
and no more worries about dryer sheets stuck to your clothes in embarrassing situations.....

it's great to have one less thing to think about when it comes to the laundry.
i get freshness, softness and static control for months...awesome!

i even LIKED their facebook page!
it has a bunch of videos with an awesome orange dryer that i fell in love with.
go check it out for yourself.

to win your own Bounce Dryer Bar and a $50 Visa gift card from BlogHer and Bounce, leave me a comment below. do you have any other laundry tips i can try?

Rules: No duplicate comments. You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry. This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected. The Official Rules are available here.
Good Luck Everybody!

For more opportunities to win, visit the Bounce round-up page on BlogHer.com to read other bloggers' reviews!

Comments

[jackie grandy]

Wow! I thought I did ton's of laundry, but I take that back! I love that your kids participate in doing their own laundry. I have to start mine on that chore :)

I use those dryer balls in my dryer. They cut down on drying time and fluff up your clothes. You should try them.

[nancy c.]

I use the Bounce dryer bar too & I love it. I only have 4 kids...all girls & I also have laundry issues! But we're getting there. Once I said no TV or computer until homework is done & rooms are picked up (including laundry being under control) things started getting done!

[Mary Susan McConnell]

Love this idea! I'm always out of dryer sheets and NEVER remember to pick up more... I love the "Stick it and forget it" method.

[Megan B]

My goodness, I have no tips for you, but I wish I did! I have one child and he's 3, so I do all of the laundry around here. The weird thing, though? I kind of like it.

[Lori]

I like the idea of the dryer bar. Hope it comes in unscented? My only laundry tip is to do one load every day, but I have a feeling that might not work for you!

[shara]

oooh... these sound awesome!

i have 3 little kiddos and we always have some crazy stains happening. i've found that making a mixture of zout and oxi-clean on any stain gets it out. like ANY stain. so great.

[Southern Gal]

No better ideas for you. Looks like you're doing well. I still do everyone's laundry.

[Tracy]

I'm wondering if the dryer bar stains clothing. I've had that problem with dryer sheets. Anyhoo, I center laundry day around tv programs or movies I want to watch so I have something to look forward to while I fold clothes.

[Terrie]

You can have one of your moms come and live with you and have her do the laundry like the Duggars do...of course, then you would need to have 15 more kids!

[TinaM.]

I like to do towels after everyone gets their shower at night. We're a family of 5 so towels and washcloths add up quickly. I like to do this laundry at night because if I run out of time to fold them it doesn't matter if they get wrinkles from staying in the dryer over night. Ironing is the last thing that I want to do!!

[Ellen J]

Hmm...being a single woman living by myself, I throw things in the washer as they become dirty. That way I just start it once it's full.

I know that's not a tip for you, but I unfortunately don't have much wisdom in this department yet!! I do want to try the Bounce bar though!!

[Heather]

I love that your kids are doing their own laundry. My girls have been responsible for folding and putting away their own laundry since they were 5 and 6. It's a beautiful thing!

[holly kurtzer]

Family of 6 here, I always say if we would become nudists it would save a lot of hassle. My tip would be: hide the folded laundry baskets from the toddler or she will fling them all over. Or I guess you could just put them away?!?

and I tweeted about it too...
http://twitter.com/#!/fromhighway59

I have used dryer bars for almost a year and loooove them. Anything I can do to minimize my list with this A.D.D personality!!

[Heather]

I've been meaning to try that Bounce Bar! But force of habit I guess I mindlessly pick up the sheets everytime. Duh!

[kimmie]

I just got a new washer & dryer and decided to try the bounce bar. I am totally loving it!

kimmie

[Jenna]

I'm also big on the spiky dryer balls! They are noisy but worth it.

[Terri Peters]

I have tons of laundry for my family of 6 and try to do at least 1 load a day to help me keep it manageable. Also keeping darks seperated from lights helps with the time it takes in sorting. I love the smell bounce dryer sheets gives the laundry too, nothing like fresh smelling sheets and towels!

[Amber B]

I've used the Bounce Dryer Bar and LOVE IT!

[Eva Scott]

I just had baby #2 and it's unreal how much more laundry there is. While my kids aren't nearly old enough to do their own laundry, I'll have to tuck these ideas away to use in the future!

[Dawn]

I would love to try the Bounce Dryer bar. Does it leave any grease spots on your clothes? I was using another product that shall remain nameless and it was super convenient, but suddenly grease spots were showing up on our clothes...NOT good. But my laundry tip for you is how to rid yourselves of these grease spots. Believe it or not...a little Dawn dish soap rubbed into the grease spot stain should do the trick. Just rub it in with your finger and throw it into the regular laundry. Even grease spots that have existed for awhile will come out. Truly, Dawn "cuts the grease". :)

[bread and jam]

I'm a laundry slave. I don't think a bar would help. Except maybe I'd get something out of the laundry smelling better.

[Kendra]

Our 6 yr old son will soon become responsible for running laundry through - towels, socks, and underwear. Then 5 yr old sister and 4 yr old brother will help match/fold. My laundry tip - wear things more than once!!! If I find clothes laying around my kids' floors and it's not smelly or stained, back in the drawer it goes!

[Alma]

I have been wanting to try the bar for a while now, but I keep forgetting to buy it when doing my shopping; just like forget to put the dryer sheets in dryer.

[Kimmie]

I love that you are getting your kids involved with their own laundry! I will have to remember this in a few years when they are old enough to see the top of the washer :) I will admit I was surprised you didn't make the name labels in rainbow colors ;)

[Ana Hogan]

I would love to try the bounce bar! I hate using dryer sheets anymore. I am always finding them on my kitchen floor, usually after I've almost slipped and busted my tail from stepping on one. I cannot do laundry without Resolve Spray and Wash. There is nothing that resolve cannot get out. With three small kids, and lots of clothes to manage, it's a blessing to have.

[Jolene (Homespun Heritage)]

Our laundry system is pretty simple. I do mom/dad laundry, then the boys, then the girls....(then towels or sheets) and its done. I'm seriously OCD about laundry!

[Meghan]

For stains I like the Dreft stain spray. It works miracles on my infant's clothes so I've started using it on mine and my husband's clothes too.

[April M]

I have those same tall, narrow baskets :)
yeah for clean laundry that doesn't shock you when you pull it out of the dryer!

[Joleen]

I hate doing laudry, this would be a great help!

[Christy K]

I'm not sure how it happens, but somehow the laundry in our house seems to pile up faster than we can wear the clothes! I too have experienced the 'dryer sheet stuck to clothing and appearing at the most inopportune time' situation... would love to give it a try... anything to make doing laundry in a household with 5 people more efficient sounds good to me!

[Jen]

my laundry tip is like an anti-tip, don't let your clothes pile up for a month and a half...it takes forever to wash them all. learn from my mistakes!

[Beth Ann]

No tips, I am trying figure out how to get laundry done for myself, my husband and a 5, yr old, a 4 yr old and 6 month old....

[Anna Marie]

These are so great! I have been using them for a bit and then went back to sheets but I really do like them and need to get a refill.

[Tori]

I keep a bottle of stain remover in my daughter's changing table. At the end of the day, I just spray down the evidence of her fun day and throw the clothes in the hamper. Everything then washes clean when I get around to doing that load!

[Flower Patch Farmgirl]

Pure magic! I'm intrigued.

[sara @ it's good to be queen]

wow, you're kids are going to be set up for life! so...my ginormo laundry issue is the fact that my boys have mounds of clothes on the floor of their bedroom...it never even makes it to their laundry basket in the bathroom without me nagging them....sigh...it's exhausting. and socks...everywhere. okay now i'm just complaining. ;) i've tried the dryer bar and i like it. one less step is a definite bonus. now i'm thinking it's time for them to put their own clothes away...however i don't know if i can handle it since i know they will just stuff them in the drawers, willy nilly.

[Bethany]

i love the dryer bar!! i have been using them for about a year and i will probably never go back to dryer sheets. it sounds like you have a great system set up for laundry. i just taught my 12 year old how to do her laundry. i realized that she was way too old to NOT know how to do her own laundry. if only my 1 year old could be trained...

[Nichole]

I'm intrigued. I'd never seen such a thing. I don't have kids, so our laundry is simple: a load a day. But static is always an issue. My fiance and I have to touch before we kiss because, wow, it hurts otherwise. Bzzt!

[Lynda M.]

Don't hate, but I like doing laundry :) I'm only doing it for a family of 3 though - I'm sure I would feel differently if I had a family of 7!

[Kimberly]

I wish my kids did their own laundry. With one only being 3, it seems unfair to make the 8 year old do his separately from everyone else's. Well, he puts his own clothes away.
The biggest thing that helps with laundry here is re-wearing. My husband and I both have sets of hooks one which we hang our favorites. The kids' clothes get re-used less often, but if they are clean enough, they get hung up for another use.
I'd love the give the dryer bar a try. I use liquid and would be glad to change to something less messy.

[Katie @ explanationrequired]

A few months back I was trying to find alternative to dryer sheets - they just seem so wasteful. This might be just the right thing!

[Linda B]

I also do laundry "by person". The only other "tip" I would have is that I turn my jeans inside out so that they don't fade as fast. I tried putting the kids socks in a lingerie bag to keep them together, but it didn't work for me.

[Joy Kinard]

We are learning to get landrydone around a new schedule and it has been so hectic! And... I ran out of dryer sheets today- for real. That Bounce bar would have come in handy!

[Tara Gallinger]

I don't have any tips for you but I sure am envious of the size of your laundry room!!! Mine is a glorified box...talk about needing some organization:)

[Adrienne S]

I love the idea of the kids doing their own. But, I am not there yet. I do have three different colored baskets in the hallway. One for darks, one for lights and one for underwear/socks. When they are full..I do laundry. It works for me. If the teenagers decide to not put their laundry in the baskets then it does not get done.

[Amy N]

Wow, I wish my kids were doing their own laundry! Soon I hope. I don't think I have any tips for you!

[Carla]

Looks like a great product - thanks for the chance to win.

[Arlene]

Definitely seems like a money saver not to have to go through all those dryer sheets!

[Karen]

Yay for more effecient laundry!

[Marie]

maybe getting some hampers with wheels on them to roll around instead of dragging baskets? i've always wanted to get some but they're kinda pricey. :)

[mollie b.]

no tips...but i might steal yours! i've never tried the bar, but i usually use 2 or 3 dryers sheets because i want my clothes to smell really good :)

[Holly]

I loved everything about the bounce bar but one small detail. I accidentally put a tennis shoe in the dryer and it knocked my bar plum off! Other than that I love it!

[Kim York]

Love the idea of sticking a bounce bar in and forgetting about it. I "try" to remember the bounce sheets ;)

[alphabetmomma]

What a great idea! My tip: I give my little people their own stain sticks. With 6 kiddos there is a lot of laundry in this house too! Love your blog!

[Michelle]

I have a small basket for each person in our family (6 of us) that I have sitting on top of the washer and dryer. As I pull socks and underwear out of the dryer, it automatically goes into each persons basket. They always know where to go for socks and underwear.

[Kate H]

I was nervous to stick something into my dryer, but I got one about 6 months ago and I just replaced it. I am in love. No more dryer sheets all over! I don't have any tips. I don't have kids yet, but I was one of 5 kids. I started doing laundry at an early age because I got sick of not having my clothes when I wanted them or having them end up in someone elses room! And I am pretty sure my husband has more laundry than I do! I love the dryer bar! And my husband :)

[Rosemary]

Me oh my this post came on an appropriate day. I swear I did about 8 loads of laundry today(none folding. doh!). I ran out of dryer sheets third load in. (double doh!)

[Rosemary]

I tweeted about the contest:

http://twitter.com/#!/Lupakitty

[Tanya H]

no laundry tips for you...other than next year I am going to have my son use the washing machine and dryer for the family laundry. However, I am very interested in the dryer bar becuase this last time Walmart only had boxes of dryer sheets that were half as many as before, and for the same price. SO not cool!

[Amanda]

oh goodness the Bounce bar certainly looks like a time saver ... one that my static clinged family could use. My laundry problems stem from having two little boys who think the floor is their hamper :/

[Kris Timson-Bates]

I have been meaning to pick up a Bounce Bar to try. I absolutely HATE picking up the dryer sheets that inevitably end up all over the floors, which become slipping hazards on tile. I am pleased to see that you have had success with the bar and can't wait to get one to see how it works out for me. I have 3 kids (4 if you count my husband).
My husband and I like to fold laundry while watching a movie, so we can share the responsibility and spend time together. It works great catching up on shows we have on the DVR as well. The chore goes by quicker and on commercial breaks we distribute the clothes where they belong.

I also tweeted about this promotion here: http://twitter.com/#!/krisinterrupted

[Lari]

There are 6 @ our house and I'm the only girl so lots of smelly laundry here! LOL! My tip is to keep a stain stick in the boys' bathroom and have them treat any stains when they get undressed. Since they sort the laundry too, it helps me not miss as many stains. Also teach them YOUNG to sort clothes! As soon as they know their colors...they can sort! I like to think my DILs will be grateful one day! ;-)

[Valerie @ Chateau A La Mode]

I love that you have your kids doing their own laundry and you're a good mom telling them you will help them fold it :)

[Jenn]

Great product and blog!

[Katie Holeman]

To save money on laundry detergent I make mine! It's super easy, cheap and lasts a long time! I use a dove bar, borax and washing soda.

[Holly]

I hear ya on the clothes, as I have 5 kids also. I do two loads a day, one dark and one light and have to immediately fold it or hang it as soon as the dryer finishes. And, according to facebook comments I am one of the last few who irons. I think I am OCD in the laundry department.

[Kasey]

I cannot imagine the amount laundry for 7 people!

[Chantel]

Even for a family of four, laundry can be a nightmare. I tried the Bounce bar and liked the idea, but not the scents (I know, I'm an oddball). Then I saw that they just came out with one in Gain scent and I was hooked!

[Deanna]

Unless everyone in the family is naked when all the laundry is done there will ALWAYS be dirty laundry. That's my depressing tip!

[Penny]

My girls are mostly grown, just the 17 year old at home now. I started them on their own laundry by the time they were about 12. So good for you getting the little girls going early! It always felt like we had tons of laundry when all three girls were living at home. We were constantly losing socks! Where do they go? That has always baffled me. I have been meaning to try this Bounce Bar. I would love to win one!

[Jennie]

My only tip is one that you are already doing. I make sure that our laundry never gets to be more than one hamper full for my husband and I and a separate one for our little girl. When either gets full, that means I MUST do laundry. As a general rule, though, I do a load of laundry every day. It keeps things from getting to overwhelming amounts and makes sure that people get to wear their favorite clothes when they "need" them. ;)

[Amy]

I love this idea! Must try it!!

[Christy]

I also have a family of 7 with tons of laundry! That bar looks quite convenient, I'll have to try it!!

[Michelle]

You could get the kids names in vinyl and put them on the wall more permanently. You wouldn't have to worry about the paper getting wrecked or torn off the wall and ending up in the machine with the laundry. Heck I would even offer to make their names for you if you wanted all you'd have to do is put them on the wall since I live in Canada! Let me know! Great system, by the way! (If you go to my blog there is a link at the top to my scrapjazz gallery, you can see some of my vinyl there)
Have a great day!

[Talia]

Wow! I love your laundry solution. Honestly, it never dawned on me to have everyone do their own laundry. What a great system you have put into play! I am going to start doing the same. Thanks for sharing!

[Juli]

That sounds amazing and less waste in the waste basket!

[Carrie]

I want to try one of those! I only have two daughters, but I do laundry every single day...

[Jane]

I have noticed several blogs that are encouraging the dryer bar. I will have to try that. I also like the idea you have used for a clothes basket for each member of the family. I will have to pass that idea on to my oldest daughter. Unfortunately, she has recently become a single mom of 3 young children and she has a huge laundry problem. I think this would help her and give the children some responsibility and also encourage them to know that they are helping out. Thanks!!

[Diana]

Can't wait to try this!! I use the sheets and I forget to add them sometimes as well! This just makes sense and takes one more thing off a busy mothers mind!

[Sarah]

I am bad about not grabbing the dryer sheets out before grabbing all the laundry so I always end up finding dryer sheets strewn through out the house! Such a great idea that dryer bar!

[Danielle]

We tried this bar about a month ago and have never turned back! With 2 little boys, we go through a lot of laundry, so we have definitely put it to the test. It's performed beautifully and it's so cool that is says "replace" when it's all used up - which is where ours is right now! Perfect timing for this giveaway (:

[Diana Yarborough]

I need the tall laundry baskets. We seem to do a load of laundry a day - we don't have enough clothes to go too long without doing a load?
Folding is the problem!

[Heather R.]

Thank you for spoiling us! I'll have to give the Bounce bar a go. I have hangers at the ready and don't fold clothes. Everything gets hung and it is FASTER. Undies and socks get tossed in their drawers. ;)

[Melissa]

Sounds easy! Great job getting your kids to do their laundry...mine are 3 and 5, so not sure when we can start that!

[Amanda]

I have used the dryer bars before with good out come. For some reason I forgot about 'em so I may be buying some more in the future. My laundry is also never ending, but I'm the biggest offender of changing my clothes often and saying they are 'dirty'.

[Amy Smith]

This sounds great! I even have trouble remembering the dryer sheet sometimes!

[Amy Smith]

I tweeted here about the giveaway. Thanks!
http://twitter.com/#!/proverbs3116/status/134407368820793344

[Elizabeth Jorgensen]

I have not tried the bounce bar yet..I still use the sheets. My children now 18, 14 and 12 have been doing their own laundry for about 7 yrs now, it's been heaven. The problem I have is they usually don't get their clothes back in their dressers. Walked in the other morning to find my oldest sleeping on his bedroom floor because all his clean clothes were on his bed! REALLY...So now only to get them to put away their clothes!

[Laura]

I also have five kids and was excited to try the bounce bar, but I was SO disappointed. It didn't work at all for us. Everything came out of the dryer snapping and crackling with static. Went right back to dryer sheets.

Right now, it doesn't matter though. We moved about three months ago, and haven't had a dryer since! I just do a load or two a day, and it all gets done. :)

[Ruth H.]

Ummmm.....I think you just answered my prayers! I've been hating our laundry situation. It has been no fun lately. Clothes everywhere. I'm starting to forget which baskets are clean and which are dirty. I'm totally going to try this! Thank you, Meg!

[Ruth H.]

Just tweeted this....http://twitter.com/#!/windmillwords

[Dena]

Am I the only one that hates the smell of Bounce? I'm a Downy girl, but this is a good idea.

[Nicole]

Oh girl...no tips here. I generally do the laundry in one fell swoop, but we only have three people here. I love it that your kiddoes do their own laundry!

[Wendy B.]

No tips, but I do like that the kiddos are helping out...that might cut down on the multiple outfit changes. I like the Bounce bar because you don't have to pick up and toss all the dryer sheets when you are folding - I have never gotten mine to last the 3 mos. though, I think that is for people who do a couple loads a week! :)

[Shawna]

We have been using the dryer bar for a year now and love it. No tips but I make my 3 kids sort their own clothes in the color piles. I do all the laundry on weekends and then I put the laundry in their baskets and they take it to their room and put it away. If I have time I fold it for them, otherwise they have to do that also.

[Kacy]

I do a load a day, at least, to avoid a huge mountain of laundry. But, I only have 3 kids so this method probably wouldn't work for you :) My oldest is 11- I need to follow your lead and have her start doing her own laundry!!

[Kari]

I don't have any tips for you, since I am the laundry machine in my house. Everyone says I'm insane, but I actually LIKE doing laundry, AND folding it, so I don't mind doing everyone's laundry. I think your systems sounds like it will work great. Given the opportunity for you to finish it for them seems like it will keep them motivated to get it started before school. And I really like the idea of assigned days. I think I'll start using that when i start making other people do their own laundry. Oh, and I wanted to say, I LOVE the dryer bar. The previous tenant had left one in an apartment I lived in, and I have been buying them ever since. :]

[Lisa]

We are a family of six and anything that will make doing laundry easier is a plus for me. I'm going to give the dryer bar a shot. :)

[Lori Austin]

Only 2 kiddos in this house. I try to do a load a day to stay caught up and I always fold right away (except this week - been sick, sick, sick...) I also only own one laundry basket for the clean clothes (refuse to use same basket for dirty/clean clothes). This works for me - probably not everyone.

Wonder if the bounce bar comes in free and clear??

[Stephanie Z.]

family of 6 here too and I simply cant keep up, so your ideas might just be my best ideas too...beats the clothes on my bedroom floor waiting to get folded for a week!