As someone in her sixties, settled far away from India, I often find myself reflecting on the ways in which my approach to life has changed over the years. Simplicity, I have come to realize, is the ultimate sophistication. This realization has permeated not only my outlook on relationships, health, and daily routines but also how I approach my home, particularly the laundry room. Now, that might sound surprising. But if you have ever been in the midst of sorting laundry for the umpteenth time or feeling overwhelmed by the clutter of detergents and misplaced socks, you’ll understand why.

For those of us who have migrated from India to the West, we often carry with us a blend of two worlds. Our homes are an amalgamation of cherished traditions and the modern conveniences we have embraced abroad. One area of the home that I believe benefits immensely from a minimalist approach is the laundry room. Let me explain why this unassuming space, when simplified, can contribute so much to a sense of peace and order in the household.

Laundry: More Than Just a Chore

Growing up in India, laundry was a communal task. I still remember the sight of colorful saris and kurtas drying under the sun, their crisp smell after being washed with traditional soaps. Laundry, like many other household tasks, was not just about the task itself but about the process, the rhythm of daily life, and the sense of accomplishment once the clothes were dry and neatly folded.

Here in the West, laundry has become less of a communal activity and more of a solitary, mundane chore. You load the machine, pour in detergent, and wait. Yet, even with all the conveniences, it’s easy to let the laundry room become a source of stress rather than simplicity. That’s where the value of minimalism comes in.

Why Minimalism?

Minimalism, at its core, is about removing the unnecessary and focusing on what’s essential. It’s about freeing up mental and physical space. While we often associate minimalism with decluttering our wardrobes or living rooms, I have found that a minimalist laundry room can be just as transformative.

Consider this: How many times have you had to rummage through piles of laundry or dig through cabinets stuffed with half-used detergent bottles? Or perhaps you have found yourself overwhelmed by the sheer amount of laundry coming from every corner of the house. Adopting a minimalist approach not only saves time and energy but also makes the entire laundry process more efficient and enjoyable.

Step 1: Declutter and Organize

The first step toward a minimalist laundry room is decluttering. When I first approached my own laundry room with this mindset, I was shocked at how many unnecessary items I had accumulated over the years. Detergents I no longer used, mismatched socks, clothes that were torn or stained beyond repair—it all had to go.

I started by sorting everything into three piles: keep, donate, and discard. I kept only the essentials: a high-quality detergent, fabric softener, a stain remover, and dryer sheets. Instead of holding onto the 20 odd bottles of various products, I realized that just a handful of well-chosen items were more than enough. It felt freeing, like lifting a weight off my shoulders.

Step 2: Rethink the Space

The laundry room doesn’t have to be a big space, but it does need to be functional. After clearing out the clutter, I took a moment to rethink the layout of the room. I asked myself, “How can I make this space work better for me?”

I opted for wall-mounted shelves to keep the floor clear. A few well-placed baskets for sorting laundry and a designated spot for folded clothes made the space more efficient. I also added a simple drying rack for delicates that don’t go in the dryer. By keeping only what I needed and finding designated spots for each item, the laundry room suddenly became a more inviting place to be.

Step 3: Streamline the Laundry Routine

Once the physical space was decluttered and organized, I turned my attention to the laundry process itself. I’m not one for complicated routines at this stage in my life. I prefer simplicity and ease, and that’s exactly what minimalism in the laundry room offers.

Instead of doing laundry randomly throughout the week, I set aside two specific days for it. On those days, I gather all the clothes, sort them, and get the laundry done in one go. It sounds simple, but it’s made a world of difference. No more small, unending loads of laundry. Instead, I have a set routine, and it feels incredibly satisfying to complete it all at once.

The Spiritual Side of Minimalism

In many ways, the shift toward minimalism in the laundry room is also spiritual. As someone raised in a Hindu household, I’ve always been taught the value of mindfulness in everyday tasks. In India, we see our homes as an extension of ourselves. Keeping it clean and organized is not just about aesthetics but also about creating a peaceful environment conducive to positive energy (or “vaastu“).

By decluttering and simplifying the laundry room, I have found that I am able to approach laundry with a sense of mindfulness and calm, rather than dread. Folding clothes now feels like a meditative act, something I do with focus rather than as an afterthought.

Less Is Truly More

Living abroad, many of us NRIs are caught between two cultures—the expansive materialism of the West and the deep-rooted simplicity of the East. A minimalist laundry room represents the perfect blend of these two worlds. It encourages efficiency and practicality while also honoring the more mindful, spiritual aspects of housekeeping that I grew up with.

I often think about how, in our youth, we are drawn to more—more things, more experiences, more everything. But with age comes the wisdom that less can actually bring more joy. This applies to the laundry room as much as it applies to life in general.

A Space for the Next Generation

As I watch my children and grandchildren navigate their own homes, I see how much more complicated life has become for them. The constant demands of work, family, and social commitments often leave little time for reflection. I like to think that by simplifying areas of my own home, like the laundry room, I’m setting an example for them.

A minimalist laundry room may not seem like a grand statement, but in its quiet, practical simplicity, it speaks volumes. It’s a reminder that in a world that often demands more and more of us, we have the power to reclaim some peace by simply choosing less.

So the next time you feel overwhelmed by laundry or the clutter that builds up in that small, humble space, remember—minimalism isn’t about deprivation. It’s about creating room for the things that truly matter. And sometimes, that begins with a tidy, well-organized laundry room.