Messy laundry can be a thing of the past with an organized space.
Investing time to create a closet for laundry storage helps organize the flow of laundry. Designing space near your washer and dryer works best, since dirty laundry will come into the area on a regular basis. Storing clean laundry and linen for moving to bedrooms or other closets is easier with an organized laundry storage area. You will want to organize laundry products and ironing equipment as well. Above all, you will want to teach your family effectively use the new space, so it functions as you envision it. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Measure space for a laundry closet that is at least 6 feet long by 2 feet deep. Plan to utilize the space from floor to ceiling to store dirty laundry, folded laundry and hanging laundry. Think of ways to process all laundry, so everyone in the family can visualize the fastest and most orderly ways to wash, dry and store items.
2. Sketch out an area for dirty laundry that sorts pieces as they're deposited in the space--separate bins for whites, delicate clothes, colored clothing and towels, for example. Invent a system that's easy to remember for all family members. The sorting baskets or bins should be large enough to hold at least two loads of laundry each. Plan where you will install hanging rods to separate adults' shirts and blouses, for example, from kids' hanging clothes. Include hangers that fit children's clothing, so kids will be encouraged to hang their own clean laundry.
3. Plan ways to store detergents, stain removers and bleach in a section of the closet that is isolated from clothes. Avoid placing bleach, for example, where it might drip on clothes. Incorporate plastic bins to hold supplies on shelf areas. Make sure kids can reach detergent for doing their own laundry.
4. Decide where to place shelves to hold towels and sheets that have been washed and folded. Figure on having other shelves to lay folded sweaters, shirts and blouses. Design that space at a level family members can easily reach. Shelves could be specified for towels and bedding for each member of the family. Or plan closet shelves for each bathroom by color-coding certain towels designated for certain bathrooms. Consider labeling shelves for different bedrooms or bathrooms. Incorporate small baskets to carry towels or bedding to different areas of the house.
5. Reserve one end of the closet for an ironing board caddy. Design space near the ironing board to hold spray starch or other items needed to press clothes. Make room for a hanging rod near the ironing board caddy for dress shirts and blouses. Consider adding folding doors across the closet area that will open to expose all of the interior. Add standard interior closet doors if the room is large enough to accommodate full-sized doors.
Tags: dirty laundry, ironing board, shirts blouses, board caddy, clean laundry, closet that