Kathryn,

We have a closet pole with a shelf opposite the washer and dryer. We use this to hang dry even in the winter, and each person's clothes are in a certain spot. Folded clothes on top, kids each come and get their clothing from the pole and shelf.

Sorting socks is the least favorite job in the house, so we take turns doing that.

My kids are all older now, but when the eldest was 10 he'd complain in the morning before school that he had no jeans. My hamper was empty so the jeans were on the floor in his closet. I taught him how to use the washer, initially he was only allowed to wash jeans and towels, then dark clothes, and so on until he learned to do all the laundry.

When his younger sister would complain she didn't have a certain outfit, I did the same with her. Then the twins. All of my kids know how to do laundry.

The last thing to go in the dryer every night is a load of towels. In the morning, the first one up brings the towels into the bathroom. That way they never have to be folded.