Are you afraid of doing laundry? Are batteries growing out of control? Putting it off won’t make it go away. Let’s face it: dirty laundry is a fact of life. But doing laundry becomes less of a chore when you have a nice, efficient room to do it in. If you want to create a laundry room that not only looks good but also works well, here are some tips to help you.

purge first

Before attempting to organize the laundry room, thoroughly purge old and unused supplies. Throw out the misshapen hangers, the box of hardened laundry detergent, and all those mismatched socks you’ve been saving in hopes of a reunion. Any items that don’t belong in a laundry room can be placed in a ‘move elsewhere’ box for now and distributed to the appropriate room later.

Creating Zones

Consider the various tasks that need to be accomplished and create suitable locations for these activities. In addition to a washer, dryer, and sink, you’ll need an area for sorting, air-drying, and ironing. You’ll also need a convenient storage area for supplies.

Classification Strategies

• Save time and trouble by keeping a laundry hamper in each bedroom. Lightweight baskets with handles can be easily carried into the laundry room. Vented baskets allow clothes to breathe to prevent mold and mildew.

• Use a laundry sorter to divide laundry into three basic groups: white, dark/colored, and delicate/hand washable. Invest in a sustainable species; one with duffel bags hanging from a metal frame will hold up just fine.

• To prevent lost-sock syndrome and make it easier to distribute clean socks to their rightful owners, provide each family member with a color-coded mesh laundry bag for their dirty socks. Wash and dry the socks while they are still in the bag. Then, place the bag of clean socks in each person’s laundry basket.

delicate drying

To air dry delicate items, use a retractable clothesline, collapsible clothesline, or shower curtain tension rod hung over the washer and dryer.

iron with ease

If you have a front-loading washer and dryer, install a counter over the folding machines. If you want to use it as a handy ironing surface, build the countertop out of MDF, glue some foam on top, and cover it with heat-resistant canvas. Alternatively, you can install a hinged table that hangs on the wall and folds up when not in use; Hang the ironing board and iron on an over-the-door hanger to save space.

storage strategies

• Store laundry supplies in built-in cabinets or shelves above the machines or in a free-standing unit nearby. For both convenience and safety, be sure to install them at a height where you won’t reach too far—no more than 6 inches above shoulder height.

• If space is tight, slide a slim rolling cart into the space between the washer and dryer to store laundry supplies.

• Use wicker baskets or clear plastic containers to store dust cloths, mesh laundry bags, and dryer sheets. Designate a basket for stain removers and sewing supplies (for quick repairs). Group items by type and label each bin for easy access.

• A small trash can on a shelf is a handy place to store dryer lint or used dryer sheets until trash day.

• A small clear jar can act as a temporary home for loose change and buttons that mysteriously appear in the machines after a load has been done.

More tips to save time

• Designate a laundry basket in a different color for each family member. Label him with his name so there is no confusion. As the clean clothes come out of the dryer, place them in the corresponding basket. Give each person’s basket to their bedroom and ask them to fold and put away their things.

• Teach everyone in your household (over the age of ten) how to do their own laundry. This is a life skill that everyone needs to learn eventually. Post the instructions on the wall for easy reference. If your children are too young, involve them by helping them match socks or fold towels.

Glow up

Now that you’ve made your laundry room functional, reward yourself by making it aesthetically pleasing as well. Paint it a bright color, add a colorful rug, and hang something decorative on the wall.

Following these simple tips will take the blues out of laundry day, making the chore quicker, easier, and more enjoyable. Once you’ve created an attractive and functional space with easy access to all your supplies, you’ll spend less time doing laundry and more time enjoying life.