i just dont understand

he KNOWS he isnt allowed in the laundry. how do i know he knows? because when i ask him where he is, he comes running out with his hands on his bottom and says 'i dont get a smack!'

also, not 20 minutes ago i called him out of the laundry and told him if he went in there again, he WOULD get a smack. this is AFTER he decided to play in the laundry powder earlier this morning while i was in the bathroom, and got in trouble already.

EVERY DAY he is told 'you are not allowed in the laundry. say it.' 'i dont go in the laundry'. 'what happens if you go in the laundry?' 'no! i dont want a smack!' 'then DONT GO IN THE LAUNDRY.' 'i dont go in the laundry. i dont get a smack.' and EVERY DAY he goes in there, regardless. first time, he gets told off. second time, he has to sit, and is told the next time brings a smack. third time, smack. and yet, he does it. EVERY SINGLE DAY. often, even after he gets a smack.

i can't just close the laundry door, because our 11yr old, 20lb, nearly blind cat has his litter tray and his cat door (dog door. with no actual door. because he's so big he ripped it out of the hole) in there, and i dont have the time or patience to open the door every time he wants out, and stand there for half an hour while he decides whether to go through or not.

what am i doing wrong? nothing i try keeps him out of that room. even if i DID close the door, which i have done when the cat is soundly asleep, he just opens the door and goes in anyway.

yelling, smacking, sitting in a corner, going to bed, talking softly but firmly, glaring, ignoring, explaining that it's dangerous, NOTHING WORKS. he cries, says he's sorry and wont do it again, THEN HE DOES IT AGAIN. i have tried everything i can think of short of leashing him to the other end of the house, and im NOT going to do that.

at least there were no socks in the wash today.