Organize Your Laundry Room

Whether it is a closet or a spacious room, organize your laundry room to make this mundane task a little more enjoyable.

As always, the first thing you need to do is take a look around and remove anything that does not belong there. Bring these items to Clutter Central.

Organize Your Laundry Room
Working With a Small Space

If your laundry room is simply a closet containing a washer and dryer organizing it will be easy. Just install some shelves or cabinets above the washer and dryer and use them to store laundry supplies so that they are easily within reach, but out of the way.

You could also install a hanging rack over the dryer to hang clothes to dry. Place a drip mat on top of the dryer to catch any water that may fall from the clothes and you have an instant indoor clothesline.

If you have a utility sink in your laundry closet get a piece of plywood, cut it to fit over the sink and you can use it as a folding table or purchase an ironing pad to place on top of the plywood and turn your work surface into an ironing board.

Organize Your Laundry Room
Working With a Larger Space

If your laundry room is more spacious consider leaving your ironing board set up at all times. Ironing will be faster and easier if you can get right to the task without having to drag the supplies out of a closet and set them up before beginning.

If you have the space, consider adding several laundry hampers to keep loads sorted throughout the week. Assign your family members the task of bring the laundry to the laundry room and placing the items into the appropriate hamper. Whenever a hamper is full enough throw that load into the washing machine.

Include a basket for clothes that need to be dry cleaned. When the basket has several items in it you know it is time to make a trip to the cleaners.

If you have children you could also include some shelving for clean, folded clothes. Assign a shelf to each child and make it their responsibility to bring the clothes to their bedroom and put them away whenever they see their shelf full.

Place a basket on top of the washer for items found in pockets when doing a final check before throwing clothes into the wash. At least once per week empty the basket and return all items to their rightful homes.

Post a Stain Removal Chart like this one in your laundry room and create Fabric First Aid Kit using the items referenced.

For more ideas to help keep your laundry room running efficiently, check out these washing machine and laundry tips.

Organize Your Laundry Room
Daily Maintenance

• Try to do at least one load of laundry per day to keep up with it.

• Keep cleanser in your laundry room to wipe down the tops of your washer and dryer.

• Remember to empty the lint trap in your dryer frequently. This not only helps to keep the dryer clean and functioning properly, but lint buildup can actually be a fire hazard.

• Wash your laundry room floor at least once per week. Since it is difficult to move the washer and dryer, invest in a long flat duster to get underneath them. Use it every time you wash the floor.

• If you have laundry hampers with removable canvas, wash them regularly to remove any dirt that may have fallen off of the dirty clothes inside them.

Now that you know how to organize your laundry room, airing your dirty laundry won't be such a tough job.