Laundry Room Organization

I have to admit...I LOVE good laundry room organization! I mean, if you're going to do laundry, you might as well enjoy it, right?

And it doesn't take that much to organize your laundry area...in fact, the less complicated you get in this space, the better.

Most issues, in my experience, result from having too much stuff, NOT lack of organization!

So when you're setting up your laundry room organization, think simple, simple, simple.

Ideally, having a set of laundry room shelves (either wire or enclosed by cupboards) right above your washer and dryer is ideal. You can store your laundry detergent, bleach, dryer sheets, and any other products you use for laundry so they are all within easy reach while you're loading up the machines.

Another really great simplifier in the laundry is a hanging rod, ideally right next to or near your washer and dryer. In fact, I truly believe that if you have the space, this is a must-have.

The first time I had a hanging rod right by my dryer, I thought I had discovered the ultimate in luxury...OK, the truth is, I felt like I had died and gone to laundry heaven.

With the hanging rod, I could take clothes right out of the dryer, put them on hangers immediately, and completely eliminate the need to fold any clothes. (I dry my clothes for about 10 minutes to get the initial wrinkles out, then hang them on my favorite white plastic hangers, and then let them hang dry.) No ironing and no folding needed, EVER...I mean, seriously. What could be easier than that?

It's also a great idea to have a small drying rack for things like sweaters or delicate items that you don't want to hang or dry in the dryer.

Another biggie that will help your laundry room organization is a small trash can for when you empty out the lint trap. Otherwise, where is that lint going to go? Rather than giving yourself an extra trip to take the lint to the kitchen or the bathroom trash can, put one right in the laundry room and save yourself the time.

Many people also really like having one of those laundry organizers...you know, the ones with two or three separate areas so you can sort right as you put your clothes in the hamper. Lights, darks, and delicates can have their own special home, and when you get to laundry day, everything is all ready to go.

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