Declutter Diaries: Laundry Room

By Y.M. Lowy

Welcome back to Declutter Diaries, your go-to guide for transforming cluttered spaces into organized, functional havens! This week, we’re tackling the laundry room. Whether your laundry space is small, large, or just a corner of your house, a little organization can make a big difference in streamlining your routine and turning chaos into calm.

Organize This: 

Even if your laundry room is tiny, there’s no reason it can’t be efficient and tidy. Focusing on smart storage solutions and decluttering essentials will make laundry day easier (and maybe even more enjoyable!). 

• 1. Start Fresh: Clear out the entire laundry room. Starting with space lets you assess what you need. It’s also the perfect opportunity to wipe down shelves, clean appliances, and refresh the room. You can also run an empty washer cycle with cleaner or vinegar to clean the drum.
• 2. Sort Through Your Supplies: Go through detergents, softeners, and other laundry products. Toss anything that’s expired or nearly empty and combine supplies in clearly labeled bins for easier access in the future.
• 3. Go Vertical: Maximize wall space with shelves, cabinets, or hanging hooks. These can hold detergents, towels, and even small tools. A slim shelf between or beside your washer and dryer can be a game-changer in small spaces.
• 4. Tame the Piles: A hamper in each bedroom or bathroom can streamline the sorting process. Invest in separate laundry baskets, sorted by type, for easy sorting when it's time to wash.

Did You Know?

In ancient times, people washed their clothes by beating them with rocks or wooden paddles in rivers. This method was used to remove dirt and stains long before washing machines!

Myth Busting:

Myth: You should always fill up the detergent to the top for every load.

Reality: Filling the detergent dispenser to the top is unnecessary and can lead to detergent buildup, which may damage your washing machine over time. Most loads only require a small amount of detergent. Washing clothes with less detergent can help preserve the fiber in your fabrics.

One-Item Purge Challenge:

This week’s challenge is to examine your sock collection for single socks. We all have those lonely survivors who have lost their match in the washing process. While you’re at it, if you have socks with holes or threadbare tights, it's time to part with them, too!

How Do You Do It?

When it comes to laundry, do you prefer to do it in one big marathon session, or do you tackle it in smaller loads throughout the week?

Let us know in the comments below!

Photo: Shutterstock