Doing laundry is a necessary part of life, but your laundry area doesn’t have to be a chaotic, cluttered mess. Whether you have a spacious laundry room or just a closet-sized nook, a few smart organizing strategies can make a big difference. As a professional organizer, I’ve helped countless clients streamline their laundry routines using functional storage solutions, simple systems, and space-saving products.
In my own home with two young kids laundry feels like a daily task. Now that the kids are getting older we have incorporated them in the process. For instance, they let me know when their laundry is full, carry it down for me, and help put it in the washer. When it is done they fold it (well pretend to) and put it away. It isn’t always perfect, but having them take ownership over their clothes is a gamechanger.
When they were younger, I always folded and put away laundry while the kids were in the bathtub or showering. By forcing it to be a routine at that time every night it forced me and my husband to keep up with the piles every time there was a new basket to fold.
Having a solid system that the whole family is on board with is essential for not letting the piles overtake couches, bedrooms, tables and floors. When your laundry space is accessible and organized it is much easier to keep the laundry cycle moving.
Here are my favorite laundry room organization tips plus recommended organizing products to make your space work better for you.
1. Use Wall Space Wisely
Tip: Install wall-mounted organizers to get supplies off counters and floors. Think shelving, hooks, or pegboards for items like brooms, ironing boards, and laundry baskets.
If you can’t do custom shelving or cabinets for your space these items can be a quick way to use your wall space and create extra storage on an open wall.
Product Recommendation:
Wall-Mounted Laundry Organizer with Hooks & Basket – Perfect for storing detergents, dryer sheets, and small accessories.
Ironing Board Holder with Iron Storage – A compact solution to store both the ironing board and iron vertically.
2. Use Clear Containers for Detergents
Tip: Ditch bulky boxes and bags. Transfer detergent, pods, dryer sheets, and scent boosters into clear, labeled containers to give your laundry area a cleaner, more organized look. In addition, you will know when you are running low on supplies because of the clear containers.
There are many great and creative options out there depending on your décor. Classic shapes and minimalist labels add to the clean vibe you want to feel in a laundry area.
Product Recommendation:
Acrylic Laundry Storage Containers with Lids & Labels – Stylish, airtight, and functional.
Glass Jars with Scoops – Great for powdered detergent or OxiClean. I also use them for dryer balls, laundry pods and other loose items in my laundry room.
3. Sort Smarter with Baskets & Hampers
Tip: Designate a basket or hamper for each laundry category: lights, darks, delicates, and towels. This saves time when it’s time to wash and teaches the whole family to pre-sort.
I love my laundry sorter with an ironing board pad on the top. I keep it in my walk-in closet. I sort lights, darks and hand washables in each container. The bags detach to take straight down to the laundry room. The ironing mat on the top is great for quick touch-ups and small ironing projects (like ironing my kids Perler bead projects) without having to take out the huge board.
Product Recommendation:
3-Bin Laundry Sorter with Wheels & Ironing Board – A space-saving way to divide and conquer laundry loads.
Slim Rolling Laundry Cart – Fits snugly between machines or cabinets for extra storage. A great way to have hidden storage and laundry supplies handy without building shelving.
4. Maximize Vertical Storage
Tip: If you’re tight on space, think up. Use tall cabinets or over-the-door organizers to store less frequently used items. There are so many ways to use your extra wall space for storage. If
Product Recommendation:
Over-the-Door Storage Rack – Easy to install and great for dryer sheets, stain removers, and lost socks and other overflow supplies like paper towels and toilet paper.
Over the door Folding Drying Rack: I love this because it also fits on shower rods. When you need a little extra space for drying sweaters flat this product works great. It folds flat for easy storage.
Over Washer and Dryer Shelves – Ideal for wall space above the machine when you don’t want to install shelving. This is a simple way to create storage for baskets, bins, laundry supplies and linens you can’t fit elsewhere.
5. Create a Folding & Sorting Station
Tip: If space allows, install a countertop above your front-loading washer and dryer. If not, use a portable folding table that you can tuck away. Pre-folding your clothes can really make putting them away much more efficient.
I sort folded clothes into hamper sections before heading to my closet. It takes just five minutes to put everything away. Grouping by drawer or hanging area saves time.
Product Recommendation:
Wall-Mounted Folding Table – Folds flat against the wall when not in use. This is a great way to get a little extra mobility in your laundry room without taking up permanent space.
Rolling Utility Cart with Flat Top – Multi-purpose and mobile. If you only have a little space to work with this can give you just enough surface area to pile up folded clothes. As a bonus you can store items in it too.
6. Add a Lost Sock Bin & Lint Trash Can
Tip: Corral those lone socks and keep lint out of your kitchen trash. While these are not necessities in a laundry area, they are a great way to add some fun and décor while still creating an organization purpose.
Product Recommendation:
“Lost Socks” Sign with Clip Hooks – Cute and practical! Hang the rogue socks after folding from the dryer and hopefully your match will magically appear in a drawer or in another laundry load. If they last on the board too long it is time to make them into a dusting cloth.
Mini Countertop Trash Can with Lid – A compact can for lint and tags. If you don’t have room for a little trash can in your space, consider this countertop bin to add some classic décor with function.
7. Label Everything
Tip: Label baskets, jars, drawers, and bins so everyone knows where everything goes—and where to put it back. These label options can be a great way to create a minimalist yet modern look in your laundry room while informing the family members where to find the supplies to clean their clothes without you.
Product Recommendation:
Waterproof Laundry Room Labels Set – Stylish and laundry-specific.
Chalkboard Labels with Pen – Reusable and customizable. The bin clips are create for baskets and clear plastic bins.
8. Keep a Laundry Routine Checklist Nearby
Tip: Print and post a simple laundry guide (great for kids or house guests). Include washing symbols, stain treatment tips, and your weekly routine. I have created several printables to help maintain your linen closet and laundry supplies. In addition, a system to stay on top of cleaning and cleaning supplies. Each printable comes with checklists, instructions and checklists that you can print and use over and over again.
Printable Suggestion:
Check out the digital download printable Linen Closet Organizer and Cleaning Routine System for guides to organize cleaning supplies and create routines at shoplifeslists.com.
Final Thoughts
An organized laundry room not only looks better but also makes the process feel less like a chore. With the right layout, smart storage, and a few game-changing Amazon products, your laundry area can run like a well-oiled machine.
Ready to upgrade your laundry area? Start small, choose a few of the tools above, and watch your routine become more efficient and stress-free.
Happy Organizing!
Kristin
If this topic interested you, you might also like these blogs:
How to Organize your Kids’ Clothes for Back to School Success – learn tips to keep on top of kids clothing so your laundry piles don’t include clothing that no longer fits!
How to Set Up a Cleaning Routine: Learn ways to create a cleaning routine your whole family can get on board with to promote less stress and less fighting over chores.
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