Doing laundry is probably not the highlight of your week. You already work hard to maintain and keep your home clean – work smart when it comes to laundry. The dirty laundry basket never seems to be empty, no matter how many times you wash, dry, iron, or fold. Add the following essentials into your home and laundry routine to reduce your time in the laundry room and leave your clothes looking as good as new.
Laundry Room Essentials
Supply Basket or Shelf
Always have a designated space or area to keep detergent, fabric softener, stain treaters, dryer sheets or wool balls, etc.
Laundry Sorter
Maintain the color of your favorite jeans and tops by separating whites from colors and delicates from towels.
Laundry Basket
Have clean baskets ready to hold clothes once they come out of the dryer.
Wastebasket
For lint and the remains of paper that you didn't take out of your pocket before throwing your pants in the laundry basket.
Jar or Bowl
This might sound silly, but it is very efficient and helpful to collect coins and other odds and ends that surface in the wash.
Sock Collector
Assign a special spot for lone items and make it easier to reunite separated pairs.
Mesh Bags
To protect delicate items in the wash.
Drying Rack
For those items that must air dry.
Extras
Placing a laundry basket in each family member’s bedroom or bathroom will save you time and headache when it’s time to do laundry. Placing laundry baskets where every member of the household can make use of them will make it easier for them to keep their own spaces tidy, but it will also protect clothes from getting trampled on or lost in the house when it’s time to get them washed.
Delicate and dry clean clothes need to be handled with care. Keep a bag for dry clean items in the closet separate from the other baskets. It is easier and more convenient to grab all of your dry clean clothes when headed out the door to run errands.
Ironing Supplies
Ironing board, starch.
Folding Station
A simple countertop or table or even the top of your washer and dryer where you can fold and stack clothes.
Hanging Station
A rod where you can hang clothes that don’t get folded, plus a supply of hangers.
Decorations
Just for a pleasant-looking atmosphere and to keep you in a good mood. Keep your laundry room nice if you also enjoy folding in this space.