Suds and Storage: Practical Tips for a Perfectly Organized Laundry Space

A laundry room, like any other space in your home, can be a source of stress. Cluttered laundry space can be a hazard for the occupants and reduce accessibility to certain places, leading to a “hasslesome” laundering experience. Learning the art of laundry room organization can prevent homeowners from encountering these issues and maintain a more functional and good-looking laundry space.

In this article, homeowners will learn laundry room organization practices that can save laundry time, reduce unnecessary clutter, and improve the overall laundry room experience. These helpful tips can give homeowners peace of mind and, maybe, prevent any judgmental remarks from nosy guests. Find out how below!

Assessing your space

In pursuing an organized laundry room, you must properly evaluate the available space and tailor organizational strategies to the room’s unique characteristics. Here are some practical tips to guide this process:

Measure and take inventory

Start your organizational journey by carefully measuring the dimensions of your laundry room. At the same time, take inventory of existing storage units, appliances, and any fixed elements. This step provides a clear understanding of the spatial constraints and opportunities regarding designs for laundry rooms.

Consider workflow

Thoughtfully assess the natural flow of activities in your laundry room. Position key elements such as the washer, dryer, utility sink, and storage cabinets for the laundry room to facilitate a logical workflow. This enhances efficiency by minimizing unnecessary movements during laundry tasks.

Tailor storage solutions to room size

Tailor your organizational approach to the size of your laundry room. In smaller spaces, opt for compact and stackable appliances, preserving valuable floor space. Incorporate fold-down or pull-out laundry room storage and utility room storage options to maintain adaptability in a confined setting.

Decluttering strategies

Embarking on your decluttering journey requires a systematic and mindful approach to sifting through the array of items in your possession. Here are the fundamental strategies to efficiently declutter unnecessary items from your laundry room:

• Round up all items. Collect all the belongings into one area for easy assessment.
• Clean the surface. Start cleaning all the surfaces of dust, excess products, and dirt.
• Categorize the items. Categorize the items based on types and frequency of use to create order and ease of access.
• Discard the unusable items. Items that are not deemed usable, such as excess detergents, clothing tags, or torn rags, can be thrown away.
• Rearrange the items. Designate a place for each type of item and arrange it harmoniously to optimize functionality and aesthetic appeal.

Read more: Stop Procrastinating, Start Decluttering 

Storage solutions

This section delves into innovative and practical storage ideas, specifically focusing on maximizing vertical space and incorporating built-in solutions. By strategically utilizing available space, you can enhance the efficiency of the laundry area, providing creative yet practical storage designs for small laundry rooms that store a range of supplies essential to home organization.

Wall-mounted shelves

Floating shelves for the laundry room, like those sturdy, wall-mounted shelves above your washer and dryer, are beneficial to utilize vertical space efficiently. This provides a convenient spot for storing detergent, fabric softener, and other frequently used items. These types of shelves can be bought from the nearest furniture store and are self-assembled, although they can also be self-made from a sturdy plank of wood and metal brackets.

Pull-out drawers or baskets

Homeowners can also benefit from a pull-out storage shelf for the laundry room, usually integrated beneath the laundry machines. These can be discreetly tucked away when unused, offering a neat solution for organizing smaller items like stain removers, dryer sheets, and lint rollers.

This feature is functional and space-efficient because the drawers usually come in a similar dimension to the laundry machines. The furniture stacked beneath the laundry machines will utilize vertical space instead of covering more floor area.

Over-door storage

Being one of the most underutilized spaces, homeowners are encouraged to utilize the back of doors for the laundry room.

Over-door organizers or racks attached to the back doors are perfect for storing items such as cleaning brushes, spray bottles, and even small towels. This can prevent homeowners from buying another storage covering more floor space.

Hanging rod for air-drying

It is essential to include a hanging rod above the sink or counter space for air-drying delicate garments. For this type of feature, it is necessary to call for professionals to measure the dimensions of the needed space and attach the hanging rod to the ceiling or walls. Other than adding functionality without sacrificing valuable storage space, hanging rods facilitate a more energy-efficient option for drying clothes and preserving fabric quality.

Read more: Creative Ways to Utilize Your Under-Stairs Storage 

Space maximization in small laundry rooms

In the quest for an organized home, the laundry room often contends with limited space, presenting unique challenges. However, with strategic planning and integration of multi-functional furniture and storage solutions, your laundry designs for small spaces can create efficient and orderly hubs.

This discussion will explore specific tips tailored for small laundry room organization. From clever storage solutions to multi-purpose furnishings, these ideas are crafted to make the most of every inch, ensuring a streamlined and functional laundry area.

Stackable washer-dryer combo

If your space allows, consider investing in a stackable washer-dryer combo. This vertical arrangement maximizes floor space, leaving room for additional storage or other essential laundry accessories. The stackable configuration also allows homeowners to perform both washing and drying in a single unit, which is beneficial for streamlining the laundry process.

Wall-mounted drying rack

Install a wall-mounted drying rack that can be folded down when needed and tucked away when not in use. This provides a convenient solution for air-drying clothes without sacrificing precious floor space. The wall-mounted drying rack also facilitates proper air circulation for your clothes. This can save the fabric quality and be more energy-efficient than machine drying.

Slim rolling cart

Utilize a slim rolling cart with multiple tiers to store laundry supplies. This mobile storage solution can be easily moved around and tucked away when unnecessary, offering flexibility in a confined space. Its spatial optimization, portability, and adaptability make it a valuable asset for individuals focused on effective and flexible organization within their laundry room space.

Fold-down ironing board

Consider a fold-down ironing board that can be discreetly stored when not in use. This space-saving solution ensures that ironing tasks can be efficiently handled within the laundry room.

Fold-down ironing boards often come with built-in features such as storage shelves or cabinets, providing a designated space for ironing essentials. This integrated storage further supports efficient household management by keeping ironing accessories readily accessible.

Maintenance tips

Learning all the necessary tips for organizing a laundry room is not nearly enough without learning how to maintain them. The clutter can creep back in quickly; you usually only realize it when it is too late. Nevertheless, you can prevent getting into the situation by learning effective daily and weekly routines.

Daily routines

The laundry room can be home to spilled detergents, price tags, and unfolded clean clothes. When ignored, these items can turn into unnecessary clutter. Therefore, it is crucial to maintain a daily routine to keep your laundry room in check.

• Return items after use. Always put all items such as detergents, hangers, or baskets where they belong after use. This routine can reduce the time spent searching for them later.
• Empty the lint trap. An uncleaned lint trap can prevent the washing machine from performing optimally. Always make it a habit to clean it after using the machine.
• Deal with laundered clothes. Be mindful of all the freshly-laundered clothes and deal with them immediately. Fold or hang all the clothes after laundry to prevent pile-ups.
• Clean the surface. Be aware of any spills or residue of detergents. Always clean them up after laundering activity to prevent grime and slippery floors.

Weekly routines

Weekly routines are essential for ensuring the long-term effectiveness of the laundry room arrangements. It can also be a weekly inspection in case there are things that the homeowners have missed during their daily routines.

• Inspect all the products. Be mindful of the expiration dates and the frequency of usage of your products. All the expired and rarely-used products can be thrown away.
• Sweep and vacuum. Be aware of the cleanliness of the space. Try to sweep and vacuum the floor weekly to remove lint or dust.
• Inspect and maintain the machinery. Always inspect the performance of your dryer and washer. Be mindful of potential hazards or disruptions the machine could bring for future use.
• Empty the trash bin. Clear your trash bin weekly to prevent odors and an unsavory environment.
• Assess your storage solutions. If certain bins or baskets are not serving their purpose, consider reorganizing or investing in more suitable storage options.

In conclusion

The laundry room is always on the brink of catastrophe, and it is up to you to prepare for it. This article provided tips on decluttering strategies, storage solutions, space maximization, and maintenance to help you on your conquest. By learning these home organization techniques, you too can achieve a functional, good-looking, and hassle-free laundry room!

If you would like to see more resources on laundry room organization, check out the Home Organization Science Labs. The lab uses the research of the Institute for Life Management Science to produce courses, certifications, podcasts, videos, and other tools. Visit the Home Organization Science Labs today.

Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels