The laundry room is one of the most hardworking spaces in any home, yet it often gets neglected when it comes to organization. Piles of clothes, half-used detergent bottles, and random household items can quickly turn your laundry room into a chaotic space, making laundry day more stressful than it needs to be. By decluttering and organizing your laundry room, you can create a more efficient and serene environment that makes this essential household chore feel less overwhelming.

Whether your laundry room is large or small, this step-by-step guide will help you transform it into a clutter-free zone. Let’s dive into the process of decluttering, organizing, and maximizing the space in your laundry room.

Step 1: Clear Out the Room

The first step in decluttering your laundry room is to start with a clean slate. Begin by removing everything from the space—clothes, cleaning supplies, baskets, shelves, and any other items stored there. This may feel overwhelming at first, but clearing the room will allow you to see the full extent of the clutter and make better decisions about what to keep and what to get rid of.

As you remove items, sort them into categories: keep, donate, toss, or relocate. Be strict with yourself. If you haven’t used a certain product or item in months, ask yourself if it’s truly necessary to keep it. Old detergents, cleaning supplies, and worn-out laundry baskets can often be tossed, while clothes that no longer fit or are in good condition can be donated.

Once the room is empty, give it a deep clean. Wipe down shelves, clean out the lint trap, sweep and mop the floor, and dust any surfaces. Now you’re ready to begin the real work of decluttering and organizing.

Step 2: Declutter and Categorize Your Laundry Supplies

Laundry rooms tend to accumulate a lot of random items over time—multiple types of detergent, half-used bottles of stain remover, and cleaning products that you’ve forgotten about. Now is the time to declutter all of those items.

Take a hard look at your laundry products and decide what’s truly essential. If you have multiple types of laundry detergent, consider narrowing it down to just one all-purpose detergent. The same goes for fabric softeners, stain removers, and other cleaning products. Keep only what you regularly use.

Once you’ve pared down your laundry supplies, group similar items together. For example, detergents, fabric softeners, and dryer sheets should all be kept in one spot. Cleaning products for other parts of the home (such as window cleaner or all-purpose spray) can be stored in a separate category. This will help you maintain organization in the long run, as everything will have its designated space.

Step 3: Invest in Functional Storage Solutions

A well-organized laundry room is all about smart storage. After decluttering your supplies, it’s time to rethink how to store them effectively. The key here is to use storage solutions that make the most of your available space, no matter how small your laundry room might be.

Here are some storage ideas to consider:

  • Shelving: Wall-mounted shelves are a great way to keep your laundry essentials within easy reach while freeing up counter space. Use them to store detergents, softeners, and cleaning supplies in an organized way. If you want to maintain a clean aesthetic, consider using matching containers or baskets for storage.
  • Cabinets: If you prefer to keep things hidden from view, consider installing cabinets above or next to your washer and dryer. Cabinets provide ample space to store laundry products, extra towels, or cleaning supplies while keeping the room looking tidy.
  • Over-the-door storage: If your laundry room has a door, utilize the space behind it by hanging an over-the-door organizer. This can be a great spot to store smaller items like stain remover pens, dryer sheets, or lint rollers.
  • Laundry baskets: Make sure you have dedicated baskets for sorting laundry. A set of labeled baskets—one for whites, one for colors, and one for delicates—can help streamline the process on laundry day and prevent dirty clothes from piling up. Stackable or collapsible baskets can be a great space-saving option.
  • Folding station: If space allows, set up a small folding station in your laundry room. A simple table or countertop can provide a designated spot for folding clothes as soon as they come out of the dryer, which helps prevent laundry from piling up in other areas of your home.

Step 4: Implement a Laundry Routine

Decluttering your laundry room is only half the battle—keeping it organized is the next step. One of the best ways to prevent your laundry room from becoming cluttered again is by establishing a laundry routine that fits your family’s needs.

Here are a few tips to help you streamline your laundry routine:

  • Designate laundry days: Set specific days of the week for doing laundry. This will help you stay on top of the task and prevent dirty clothes from piling up. For example, designate Mondays for whites and Fridays for colors. Sticking to a schedule makes laundry more manageable.
  • Sort as you go: Make sorting laundry easier by pre-sorting throughout the week. Place labeled hampers in your laundry room or in each family member’s bedroom so that clothes are sorted as soon as they’re removed. This will save you time on laundry day and help maintain order.
  • Fold immediately: Avoid letting clean clothes pile up by folding them immediately after they come out of the dryer. Set aside a few minutes after each load to fold clothes and put them away. Not only does this prevent clutter, but it also helps keep clothes wrinkle-free.

Step 5: Keep the Space Tidy

Once your laundry room is decluttered and organized, it’s important to maintain the cleanliness and order. Small habits can go a long way in keeping your laundry room tidy and functional.

  • Wipe down surfaces regularly: Make it a habit to wipe down shelves, counters, and appliances once a week. Removing dust, detergent spills, and lint helps maintain a clean environment and keeps your laundry room looking fresh.
  • Clean the lint trap: After every load of laundry, clean out the lint trap in your dryer. Not only is this a safety measure, but it also helps your dryer run more efficiently.
  • Put things back in place: After using laundry supplies, make sure to return them to their designated spot. By consistently putting things back where they belong, you’ll avoid the build-up of clutter over time.
  • Keep it simple: Don’t allow unnecessary items to make their way into your laundry room. It’s easy for this space to become a catch-all for household items that don’t have a designated home. Be mindful of what you store in the laundry room and keep it limited to essential items only.

Step 6: Add Simple, Functional Décor

A decluttered space doesn’t have to be devoid of style. Once you’ve organized your laundry room, you can add a few simple touches to make it an enjoyable space. Consider hanging a piece of art, placing a small plant on a shelf, or using aesthetically pleasing containers for laundry supplies. The key is to keep it functional without adding unnecessary clutter.

Conclusion

Decluttering your laundry room is a transformative process that not only makes laundry day easier but also creates a more peaceful and organized space in your home. By following these step-by-step tips—clearing out the room, decluttering supplies, investing in smart storage, establishing a routine, and keeping the space tidy—you’ll be able to maintain a functional, clutter-free laundry room that works for your family’s needs. And who knows? You may even find yourself enjoying laundry day just a little bit more!