
Oh look, it’s a spur of the moment birthday party game!
Who says laundry can’t be fun?
When we got home from camp on Saturday, I instructed everyone to dump all of their laundry – including sleeping bags, sheets, pillow cases, clothes, and towels – into the upstairs bathroom so that we could get started on the huge job of getting everything clean again. We have a fairly large bathroom, with washer and dryer included. The pile of dirty laundry took up almost our entire floor and was probably three feet tall. Not at all overwhelming.

Let me share how thankful I am for the convenience of a washer and dryer. Even though my washing machine is old and has to be held together by a bungee cord so that it doesn’t shimmy, shake, and explode all over the bathroom, it works and is so much easier than me breaking my back over a wash board. Bless you, Ma Ingalls. And thank you, Maytag.
I’ve been washing loads since Saturday at about 3:30 pm. I’m not even half-way done. So my question to you is this: How many loads of laundry do you think it will take to get through this pile?
This being my birthday week, the correct answer better not be 40. But the tally marks are adding up, so we can’t be sure! Make a guess, and leave a comment on this post sharing how many loads you think it will take for us to get through our laundry pile.
As soon as I can see my bathroom floor again, I’ll be back to reveal the final answer. The person who guesses correctly will win a $25 gift certificate to be used on anything downloadable in the Heavenly Homemakers Shop. If more than one person guesses the correct answer, I’ll throw each of their names into a (clean) hat and draw randomly.
Let the party game begin…

16
17
12
15
22!
21
It all depends on the capacity if your washer :) I would say 12 regular loads, but if you have a high capacity washer (which is wonderful for those of us with a large (by American standards, anyway) family, my guess is 7. Hope you get done before your birthday!
17!
Scratch that last answer. 13 large capacity, 20 regular drum size. Here’s to hoping you have a large capacity jimmy rigged washing machine.
22! Good luck!
18
Looks like my house! Lol id say 17
18
:)
LOL – 40 came to mind right before you made that comment ;)
Too funny! BTW – highly recommend, especially with 4 boys, that when it’s time to buy a new washer and/or drier that you go with front loaders because they hold a lot (and save money).
18 is my guess
26
I’m figuring three loads per person plus a load of towels, a load of sheets (maybe two) and only two sleeping bags per wash so that’s 3*6 + 3 + 3 = 24 loads of laundry! I hope it’s not that bad!
Um…19! Happy early birthday!
15
Yikes! 11 loads? I am not looking forward to that day in my family- right now I only have 3 littles. I actually don’t mind washing, but I loathe folding!
22
Looks like 9 loads to me. Hopefully no more than that.
15
I think 14
Well, our family of 6 averages 12 loads a week, so plus sleeping bags, I say 15.
My guess is 14. Hoping I’m right.
I am going to guess 15.
18
12!! I’m guessing 2 loads for each member of the family.
Number 19 comes to me for some reason. I hate to see you do 19 loads, but truth be told – I would love to win.
Don’t strain your back Laura with Mount Washmore!
Susan
20 sounds like a nice even guess!
I too have a large family….and just tackled a pile bigger than this….so I can feel your pain!
My guess is 19…with all of the sleeping bags and bedding! :)
Praying the Lord gives you strength for the task…and May you have a blessed birthday! :)
28?!?!
PS I totally get the need for the bungee cord :)
14
I say 13. Good luck with all that laundry!!
8
I like round numbers so I am guessing 25. ;o)
24
15
10 is my guess from the picture :-)
19
17…
13. You are so silly, and I love reading your blog :D
16
18
Looks like around 13 to me!
You are blessed to have your washing machine in the bathroom! Mine is in the (unfinished, leaky) basement. But I still praise God for the washing machine and dryer!
I say about 12!
I would have to say 14 loads:)
12
15.
I’ll say 13
I’m going for an even 10, but I’m known as a terrible estimator so if I win it will be a first!
13 :)
It’s already been guessed, but I also think 13.
I’m guessing about 10.
7! You can do it!
My guess would be 8 loads
23!!!
16
14 :-)
15!!
I am thinking 24 :)
8 loads. “Wash on Monday. Iron on Tuesday, Mend on Wednesday. Clean on Thursday” Etc. I am so thankful for modern conveniences. I remember the old machine Mom used in the basement with the roller, the rinsing tubs, boiling the starch on a stove, hauling it all outdoors to hang to dry, folding, etc. No wonder she was as skinny as a rail and still active at 84!
If you wash all of the sleeping bags separately, I am thinking 26 or so. I had the same experience a few weeks ago!
My guess is 11!
12 :)
I would say 8!!
12!
I am guessing 17 loads……blessings as you tackle your final camping experience……Mount Washmore!
16 loads
I’d say 11.
I would guess 27 loads.
My guess is 17. Happy Birthday month!
16. Give or take depending on how big the sleeping bags are and how big your washer is. : ) Hope you have a great birthday!
15 loads
19 loads
10 loads!
21 :-)
17
I’ll guess 14. Hopefully less for your sake!
i’ll say about 11
I would say 8.
I’ll go with 13
Looks like 14 to me.
13 is my guess. :)
First of all good luck! and my guess is going to be 15 loads.
13 and a half…
12!!
I’m going to guess 19. Sleeping bags are going to be one load by themselves. Good luck!!
I’m going to say 14 loads.
I think there’s 23 there!!
18. Though that seems like A LOT of loads. Who knows
I think 15 loads. Good Luck!
14- one of my favorite numbers
I think 12 :)
So thankful that that pile is in your laundry room and not mine! That said, we just returned from 3 weeks visiting family in WI and I had a similar pile (minus the sleeping bags). My guess–14. Have fun!
15
I say 11 loads.
Judging by the size of your washer (looks similar to my mom’s) and the gigantic pile, I’m going to say 21 loads. I hope, for your sake, I’m very wrong!
I’m going with 9. I have a bad habit of packing the washer to maximum capacity in order to get through it though… Also, not a big sorter. My poor daughters will stink at laundry!
I am thinking 21. Hopefully for you, it is a lot less, but who knows?
26 :-)
I’m going with 12 ! :-)
18
My guess is 9.
16
hmm. it depends on how many separate little loads you need to do..towels? sleeping bags? coats?
i’m thinking 8-10, but i’ll say 8.
It’s already been guessed, but I think 17. My family of 6 does 8-9 loads a week and we have a large washer and drier. If you add 6 loads of sleeping bags, that’s already 14-15 loads, not counting the laundry you are using while trying to catch up. I hope your task goes quickly and joyfully!
14
Well I guess it all depends on how you wash your sleeping bags and how big they are. If you wash two at a time I guess maybe 11 loads?
18 loads
19 loads!
I think 14 loads will do it.
13 loads :)
I like the bungee strap!! 8 Loads
17
10 (I didn’t peek at anyone else’s guess!) :)
11!!
16 loads
20 loads… seems like a lot, but with sleeping bags, towels, sheet & clothes -there is a lot of laundry in that pile!
WOW! That’s alot of laundry!! I’ll say 12.
Totally depends on how big if a stuffer you are!! With an older machine, maybe not so much… My guess is 21 :D. 6 bags/pillowcases, 6sets sheets/6towels, 1 underwear, 3 pants/shorts, 2 light shirts, 2 dark shirts, shoes/misc
Hmmm….. I say 11 :)
I’ll say 15
I see 18 loads of laundry here!
I would say 23…..
“Lucky” 13! ;)
maybe 12? may you be blessed with great help!
I think 11.
I’ll say 15…that’s about what I do in a normal week. Don’t overfill the loads! ;)
We will guess lucky number 10 !
I’m guessing 12. I know I’m thankful for my washer and dryer, too. I can’t imagine what life would be like without them!
I would say at least 13. This is kinda funny because my boys are griping about folding laundry at the time I’m reading this post.
I guess 7 loads. Enjoy :)
8 loads.
25 loads. I’m not sure how small each load is though.
Think of which, I need to start mine clothes.
7 loads…
My guess is 6 loads.
My guess is that you have a super large capacity washer and dryer…. like I do. So, I think 9 should do it!
16
My guess is 9 loads. :)
I’m guessing 9.
22
I’ll guess 17…..
My guess is 9 loads.
I am going to guess 12 loads. Glad you had a great time at camp!!
12?
With sleeping bags, etc. I’m guessing about 22.
18 loads :) good luck! Laundry is the only chore I don’t dread. Wish I could help but thank goodness for washing machines!
I am going with 18
10
How about half your age….20.I am curios to see the results of how many loads it took.
I’m guessing 16, because that’s how many loads it took me to deal with all the clothes, bedding, towels, etc. that I had to wash when my kids got a very bad case of head lice! I hope we NEVER have to go through that again – I don’t wish it on my worst enemy!!! Funny, I’ve always said to every gross “childhood” thing that we encountered (stomach bugs, pinworms, etc.) that “At least it isn’t head lice!” But now I can say we lived through that too, and we are all still here to tell about it – HA! God gives grace when we need it! (-:
eight
I’ll go with 12, but hope for you it’s less
9 loads of laundry looks good.
I was going to say 8, but since I seen a comment that said 8′
, I’ll say 9.
I’m going to guess about 27. Might be a little high but you may only get a couple bags in one load. Also, if some stains don’t come out the first time, i will put in again.
6
13
I’d say, 17 loads!
I guess 12….and I know that those wonderful boys of yours will help fold and put away!!! :)
It looks like 12 to me. Way to be positive and thankful that we can do laundry the “easy” way!
I say lucky #13!
10
I’m thinking 11. Good luck to you!!!
I’m guessing 17. May the Lord make your laundry time enjoyable.
I am going to guess 18 loads. Like you, I am very grateful for having a washer and dryer. :)
Hmmm, I’ll guess 12. Good luck with it all and I hope everyone pitches in with the folding and putting away!
I’ll guess 21 and I just want to say, I think the old style washers work better because they actually use water to clean with Rather than detergent enzymes. I hope mine lasts as long as I cloth diaper.
I’m going to guess 14.
My guess is 16. I also just got home from a trip and am in the midst of laundry.
17 loads
I’m going to guess 21. (Although I hope it is less for your sake.)
Our washer broke this last May (the duct tape I had fixing it was no longer enough.) It cost 30 plus dollars a week at the laundromat just to wash! Let me tell you, I am so thankful for a washer!
Happy birthday!
I’m going with 9. It looks like 8, but chances are there’s at least one item in there that has to be washed by itself, like a large jacket or sleeping bag.
13 loads
I’ll go for… 15!
Well it all depends on your washer capacity and how many sleeping bags. I will guess 33 loads.
This. I would say about 20, given how many loads I had to do when we had top loader washers. With my current high capacity front loaders(love!) Probably 8 or 10. But if stuff is extra dirty or stinky/ smokey they may need extra washes.
My first thought was 12 but it’s been guessed a lot so 11 loads lol.
I will go with 26 loads.. then take a nap. you will have earned it:)
32 loads
I am guessing 16 depending on if you overstuff or not ;)
8
15
I think 12.
I’m going to go on the high end and guess 16. I hope it’s way less than that though! :)
23. Good luck.
I think that it will take about 19 loads.
Laura-
Love that you celebrate 40:-)
I have a huge capacity washer so I guessed 6 at first, but you probably need to wash sleeping bags separate, so my final guess is 13. Good luck to you!
10
15!
I will say 4 loads. :-) good luck!
13 loads. Happy Birthday :)
i’m voting for 12…a nice Biblical number! Good luck!
13.
9
25 is my guess. Those sleeping bags are their own load.
Eight
My guess is 15.
I think it is 18 loads that is 3 loads per person and includes sleeping bag & towels.
I’m going to say 14.
Guessing that one sleeping bag will make one load, extra clothes for swimming, camp meetings, for a family of six will add up to a grand total of 22.
21
I guess 12 loads!
34! Kidding! I think its 8!
14 loads
I think its going to be in the 20’s. I have an older washer(that leaked) we moved out side when I got to get a newer one. Since its older I don’t stuff it as much. I am going to say at least 26 loads. It could be more or less, have to wait and find out. Enjoy the washing that is what I am doing today. Boys home from camp and changed all their beds while gone. Its a pile that I have not dented yet.
It depends on how large capacity your washer is as to how much you can get into your washer. I have an extra large capacity and I can wash at least 4 pairs of adult jeans at one time. I can only do one sleeping bag but I don’t know if you all used sleeping bags or just some of you. A wild guess is it will take 14 loads.
17 loads :)
Well, having been in your shoes many summers for a family of 8, I feel for you! I have a triple-loader and still had two days worth of laundry. Sometimes I would just take it all to the laundry mat and do it all at once. The looks I got when I was dragging it in were priceless lol! I would guess you will have 15 loads. Happy cleaning!
17
14
I think 13.
I say 20 because sleeping bags are bulky. I wish I had older washer because they last longer. My new washer has broken down 5 times in 5 years.
13.
28
21
12
12
It looks like about 12 loads.
Looks like it’d be a max of 5 loads in my washer… but since people are guessing high, maybe 10? Although, i’m not sure how many sleeping bags — that can make a big difference!
Growing up, my mom never let us bring our “camp clothes” in the house when we got back from camp. It stayed in the suitcase and we went straight to the laundromat. My mom was paranoid that we’d pick some sort of bug up from camp and she didn’t want it in the house. :)
22 loads.
11!
13 loads.
I guess 23!
14 loads
18 loads
My guess is 23 loads.
I’ll say 17.
13 loads!
I’ll guess 20 loads. I’m assumming everyone one had a sleeping bag, and only 2 pillows can be washed as a time..reg. sized. bath towels and swimming towels, undies, jeans, shirts, swimwear, sheets,
Looks like 15 to me.. :)
I’m gonna say 14.
My guess is 24!
18!
19 loads
I really wanted to say 13 but that is taken so my answer is 16 because no one has taken it yet and I notice that you don’t have a LARGE machine so I am hoping it takes 3 more loads than my wanting guess. LOL Laundry is never ending and this mom of 5 children and 1 big hubby knows it. Good Luck may the detergent be with you:) LOL
I think 25.
11
My guess is 15.
10 loads
Depends how big your washer is ;)
Thats about three in my ginormous washer.
What a satisfying feeling when it is all done!
16 loads!!
Eleven (11) loads!
11
20, since it’s an older washing machine. If it were a newer/giant one (I can wash a king sized comforter in mine!), I’d say 16 loads.
20! Put on some good music and enjoy the blessings of your life!
14 loads. Good luck! Glad you had a great week at camp!!!
17 :-)
10, hope its not more
I’m going to guess 10
Ill guess 13.
18
I think 12 loads!
19
16
9
I think 18 and really really hoping it’s not 40 for your sake : )
14
Looks like 8.
15, and welcome home
13
Definitely 12 loads.
I’d say 13.
27
19
This is fun. I should do this with my kids and our laundry pile. Might motivate them to pitch in. My guess is 16.
I will guess 10 loads. I would not be able to do all this in one day! My front-loader has the longest wash cycles!!
I would guess 22.
8
I’m gonna go with 10!
Happy 4th decade, Laura! I guess 11 loads!
15
13
19 – and I’m so very sorry!!
My guess is 7
Am I too conservative in guessing seven? Let’s throw in one for luck.
8 is my final answer….”Ma Ingalls” You crack me up, Laura!
29
It looks like 17 is still open! ;) This is tricky because I don’t know how fussy you are about sorting loads.
To clarify, I’m guessing 17. ;)
I see that others have guessed 18, but that was my original choice when I saw the pile so I am sticking to it!
I’m going to say “Infinity.” That’s my final answer. Because by the time those are done, there will be more. It’s like chasing a moving target. Unless you are opting for no-clothes for next few days! (:
I say 23.
I’m guessing 11. :)
11, though I hope it’s less for your sake! ;)
I will go with 21 and good luck!
I’m thinking maybe 10 loads. We have a family of 6, & that’s about how many I would have to do after a week’s worth of church camp,
23
i am guessing 9.
my favorite number is 13… unless it means i have 13 loads of laundry to do! but i am guessing 13.
lucky 13!
I’m going with 15.
Well, I’m guessing 6.
My guess would be 15 loads.