Whether your laundry area is a small closet or spacious room, having the right appliances and a good system of organization can make cleaning clothes less of a chore. After all, a bright, orderly space is a welcoming one, and a nicer place to do something that has to be done.
Upgrade Your Appliances
As long as your old appliances work, you might not think you need an upgrade, but they could be costing more than you think. Look into high-efficiency laundry appliances that save on water and energy costs. ENERGY STAR washers can save you more than $100 a year on utility bills. Look for innovative appliances like dryers with steam technology that reduce the need for ironing and dry cleaning which also saves time, money and energy.
Consider Extra Storage Space
You might consider the advantages of washer and dryer pedestals. Not only do they provide another storage solution for detergents and softeners, but they raise the appliances to take some strain off your back as you load and unload. Pedestals are practical accessories for front loading washers and dryers. You can find pedestals that match your appliances, or mix them up for an extra color pop.
Stack Your Appliances
By stacking your front-loading washer and dryer, you’ll save space and won’t have to worry about straining your back while unloading laundry. Stacking kits make it easy and safe to attach the appliances on top of each other—and you’ll free up space for other laundry essentials like a folding table, ironing board or a drying rack.
Consider Adding Color
The laundry room is the perfect place to take a style risk with a bolder hue than you might choose for a kitchen appliance. Have fun with it. Go beyond basic white and indulge in a bright red, orange, or blue washer and dryer set. The splash of color will make the room more inviting, and doing laundry won’t seem quite so tedious.
Clean Up the Clutter
Streamline your routine by organizing and storing laundry supplies by type and arranging them where they’ll be used. For example use a caddy to organize and store bleach, stain removers, detergents and laundry boosters by the washer. Do the same for fabric softener and dryer sheets, but store them near the dryer. Keep separate bins or bags for lights, darks, delicates and dry cleaning to help with pre-sorts and a small container for mismatched socks or loose change is also a good idea.
Ironing and Household Ergonomics
Laundry can be physically challenging. If you have to iron, make sure the board is at a comfortable height that doesn’t require hunching over. As a general rule, the top of the ironing board should be level with your hip, and the same goes for a folding table or counter.
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