How I Make Folding Laundry Feel Easy: Folding Tips for ADHD (The Neurodiverse Laundry Guide, Part III)
- Eric Kaufmann
- Feb 17, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 11
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Hi Friend,
Let’s talk about my least favorite adulting chore…folding laundry.
Welcome to Part III of the neurodiverse laundry guide, where we explore systems that make laundry easier. If you haven’t read Part I (How to set a laundry schedule) or Part II (Clutter-free floors), click the links and give them a read.
Anyway...I used to think laundry was just a two-step process: wash and dry. But any neurodivergent adult knows the truth: it’s a multi-stage saga. And for me, the final boss has always been folding.
Every week, my system would fall apart at the same spot:
→ My phone would ping me to switch the load.
→ Then it would ping again when the clothes were dry.
→ I’d dump them on my bed… and forget about them.
→ Exhausted at night, I'd open my bedroom door to a mountain of clean clothes and a feeling of defeat.
→ Too tired to fold, I’d toss the clean pile onto the chair.
Over and over again, this clean laundry became a lingering “to-do” that cluttered my space and my mind. That chair? It became my personal “laundry of shame.”
The breaking point came on a rushed morning.
I couldn’t find clean underwear, tore through my pile, grabbed socks, and left for work late. In my frenzy, I forgot both my lunch and laptop. That was the wake-up call. This unfinished task was messing with my executive function, hurting my mornings, mood, and focus.
If any part of that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Folding laundry can feel like a mountain when you have ADHD or struggle with executive function skills as an adult.
Here’s why: folding requires task initiation, sustained attention, planning, organization, and follow-through—all executive function skills that can be difficult for neurodivergent adults. And unlike washing or drying, folding doesn’t have a built-in deadline or alert. It’s the silent step that’s easy to put off.
The good news? There are ways to make it easier.
Here are 7 strategies that have helped me finally stay on top of my laundry without dreading it. Let's dive in.
7 Folding Tips for ADHD
Last year, I made 7 simple changes to my laundry routine that dismantled the dread of folding. Now, I always fold and organize my clean clothes the same day I wash them.
But the way I go about it is built for my neurodivergent brain. Here are 7 folding tips for anyone with ADHD:
1. Fewer clothes means fewer folds
First, I decluttered my wardrobe. I spent one day placing old clothes in trash bags and then donating them. Before I started, I set a rule and stuck to it: any clothing I had not worn in the past year, donate.
Having fewer clothes means there's less to wash and fold. This can make laundry feel less overwhelming.
Pro tips:
Set a recurring event on your digital calendar to do this each Spring.
Hang up all your clothes with hangers facing one direction. When you wear something, turn the hanger in the other direction. After a few months, donate anything you haven't worn (as indicated by the hanger pointing in the original direction)
2. More hanging, less folding
Hanging feels way easier than folding.
I invested in hangers and hung as much clothing as possible. Who cares if my sweatshirts and Grateful Dead long-sleeved shirt don't 'need' to be hung up? This reduces the amount of folding and keeps my clothes wrinkle-free.
Pro tip: don’t fold underwear or clothes that you sleep in. No one sees them anyway!
3. Set a reminder to “fold clothes”
After I take clothes out of the dryer and place them on my bed, I look at my calendar and ask myself, “What time do I want to fold my clothes?”. Then, I set a reminder on my phone.
Pro tip: label your reminder ‘fold clothes’ so you don't end up wondering, "What the heck is this alarm for?"
4. Don't eat the frog
I can’t hang everything, but I always start with the clothes that I can. I call this eating flies. By starting with the easier items, you create quick wins, boosting dopamine and motivation, and making it easier to get through all of your clean laundry.
Pro tip: start with shirts and end with underwear.
5. Make folding fun
While this might seem impossible, I learned how to spice up the experience. Adults with ADHD thrive in novel environments. I make folding feel novel by listening to music or a podcast.
Maybe you can do it while watching whatever you're currently bingeing on Netflix.
Pro tip: create a folding laundry playlist so you do not waste time finding the “perfect” playlist to fold to. Check out my laundry playlist here!
6. Don’t fold
Yes, you read that right. I don’t fold items that no one sees me wear, like underwear, socks, and bedtime clothes. I also dedicate one drawer to these items, making it easy to put them away.
Pro tip: take out tomorrow’s clothing from what’s clean so you don’t have to fold it.
7. Time it
How long does it take to fold clean clothes? The truth might change your view of folding forever.
I timed it and learned it takes me no more than 10 minutes. Often, we overestimate the time required for such tasks. Knowing the actual duration can make it seem less daunting.
Pro tip: use a cube timer or sand timer so you do not get distracted by your phone.
Summary
Folding laundry is by far the most difficult adulting task I face. That's not because I'm lazy. It's becuase it requires multiple executive function skills to fire together.
Instead of fighting against our brains, we can use unique strategies to make folding less daunting and more doable.
Try this:
Fewer clothes mean fewer folds: donate anything you haven't worn in the past year.
Hang as many clothes as possible.
Set a reminder to fold so you don't forget and end up with a pile of clean clothes at the end of a long day.
Start hanging, then move on to folding.
Make it novel: fold to music or while watching Netflix.
Don't fold what doesn't need to be folded.
Time it: folding all of your clothes may not take as long as you think.
I hope this helps!
In service,
Eric
About the Author
Eric Kaufmann is an Educational Therapist, Certified Executive Function Coach, and speaker. He is the Co-founder of UpSkill Specialists, an executive function coaching company that helps adults and workplace teams overcome disorganization, procrastination, and productivity roadblocks. Eric is also the founder of Elevate Learning Solutions, an Educational Therapy practice that supports neurodivergent students in becoming independent and confident. Book Eric to speak or lead a workshop.
