We all want everything in life to be easier—including a convenient spot to put dirty laundry. It is much easier to complete a task if the tools are right at hand. Laundry hampers are more likely to be used if they are placed in spots where dirty clothes are removed—bathrooms, bedroom closets, mudrooms, and entryways.
There are plenty of convenient places that you can keep a laundry basket, but the most popular places to keep it include: The Bedroom. The Bedroom Closet. The Bathroom. The Laundry Room.
Generally, we keep our laundry baskets tucked in the corner out of the way, in the bedroom or bathroom, or perhaps on the landing. And we never really think about whether there might be a better place for them to go.
Putting a laundry room near your kitchen is a popular choice. This works particularly well in an open-floor-plan or one-story home. It keeps the laundry room near the areas of your home where you are living and working every day. Be sure to give the laundry room doors so you can contain any laundry-related clutter.
A laundry room that is located too far away from living and working areas such as the kitchen is inconvenient and adds even more work to laundry day. Keep the laundry room within a realistic distance of the areas of the house where you work and relax.
Good locations include inside the kitchen or bathroom or directly next to one of those rooms. It will also be easier to route plumbing this way. Buildings usually stack the wet zones in a vertical line. Putting a washer and dryer in your bedroom closet wouldn't be permitted even if there's room for one.
The most important organizing tool you can have in your bedroom is a hamper. All clothes should be placed into your hamper when they are dirty. When selecting a hamper, purchase one that will fit into the space where you get dressed and undressed.
At the end of the season, store clean clothes in a cool, dry environment to avoid bacteria and mold. Make sure to give proper aeration and provide adequate space between hangers to keep clothes fresh. Using wooden or fabric-padded hangers will avoid stretching the shoulders of garments.
1. BASKETS & BINS. Take care of your dirty clothes with a stylish laundry basket. In a small bathroom something like this square laundry hamper, from OYOY, in woven bamboo is ideal as it sits snug in a free corner.
Having laundry hampers integrate with your closet system, both walk-in and reach-in, is highly convenient. By having a hamper ready in your closet, you're able to manage your clean and dirty clothes in the area that you put them on and take them off the most.
Clothes can dry indoors in winter, but it can affect air quality, humidity and lead to mould. Try avoiding drying laundry in the rooms where you spend the most time e.g., your living room and bedroom. Instead, place the drying rack in the bathroom, the kitchen or hallway where you spend less time.
Most pests love moisture and warmth, so laundry rooms provide ideal conditions. Not to mention the dirt and food crumbs that accumulate in the piles of soiled clothes and towels. Where do bed bugs hide? Laundry rooms.
Even if there is no obvious food or drink remaining in your room, old stains or spills could create an odor as well. Dirty laundry — Your laundry hamper is another breeding ground for bacteria.
Where do most people keep their laundry basket? More often than not, laundry baskets are kept in a bedroom or bathroom, usually in a corner out of the way. These are great places as they keep the baskets functional and within easy reach while getting dressed, but it is not the most attractive option.
Without regular cleaning, your hamper can collect lots of germs and bacteria. If you use the same basket to hold dirty laundry AND to transport clean clothes to and from the laundry room or laundromat, you'll want to be extra careful to keep them spotless.
In Australia they're called laundries – a place to do the washing and ironing that often becomes a dumping ground for all the family's stuff. But in many countries, this room is called a “mud room”.
Don't wash those clothes
This is an odd one. According to folklore, if you wash clothes on New Year's Day, you'll be “washing for the dead” or washing a loved one away -- meaning someone in your household will die in the coming year. Get your laundry washed, dried, folded and put away by New Year's Eve.
Use a portable drying rack/clothes airer that you can move around your garden to follow the sunshine or make the most of the wind. Rotating your clothes can help them dry more evenly. Maximise the surface area exposed to the wind and sun, and hang clothes so the thickest parts are at the top.
Ideally your laundry should be placed in the hallway, flowing directly to the back door of the house, where you can easily access the outdoor clothesline. Try to be away from bedrooms and living areas if possible, so that it doesn't interfere with these areas when your washing machine is in use.
The bathroom is the obvious choice for the washing machine – the plumbing and electrical points are already in place. If you have only the washer, put it under the washbasin counter on one side – this way you still have place for drawers.