Laundry rooms are great to have, but boy, can they get messy. If yours is out of hand, don't worry. Whether you have a dedicated laundry room, a corner of the garage, or a washer tucked away in a hall closet, you can regain control and use of this space.
Step 1
Catch up the laundry. Get all the clean clothes put away. Wash dirty clothes that are in the laundry room and put those away, too. After that, if the laundry room itself is your target, bring in only one load at a time from other rooms.
Step 2
Clear the clutter. This is a particular problem if your laundry room doubles as a work area, mud room, pet food area, or storage area.
Step 3
If you store cleaning supplies in the laundry room, dispose safely of any hopelessly outdated stuff, especially if you don't use it anymore or the container appears to be in danger of spilling its contents. If you need to dispose of household chemicals, contact your municipality about proper disposal.
Step 4
Organize what remains. Place it in shelves, cabinets, or bins so that the items you use most are close at hand. If possible, clear the tops of the washer and dryer and any work surfaces.
Step 5
Dust the walls and cabinets. Lint buildup in a laundry room can make for a lot of dust on the walls. A long-handled duster or dust mop will make this a quicker job.
Step 6
Wipe off the outsides of your washer and dryer. Use a mild, diluted spray cleaner and a rag.
Step 7
Clean any counter tops and wipe out the laundry sink, if you have one. Laundry sinks often end up getting the messy jobs, like cleaning paint brushes or muddy shoes, so yours might not ever gleam. Just clean the worst of it and move on.
Step 8
Clean out your dryer vent about once a year. While it's not a visible mess, it does pose a fire hazard and reduce the efficiency of your dryer. A clogged vent can also contribute to dust in your home.
Step 9
Sweep and mop the floor, and shake or hose out any scatter rugs or mats.
Step 10
If you have hard water, try running a wash load with vinegar in it periodically. The acid will help to dissolve the minerals. You can even add it to the rinse cycle with your clothes, and no, your clothes will not reek of vinegar when they are dry.
Tips
- Clean the lint filter in your dryer every time you run a load. Your dryer will run more efficiently and you might cut down on dust.
- If you can do with a slightly disorderly drawer, stop folding underwear and socks. It will save you time.
- Do a little at a time, especially if the mess is severe. Start with a load or two of laundry one day and move on to the next steps another day. Do keep at it.
- Put the laundry room on a regular schedule so that it doesn't get this bad again. One simple thing is to clean just one thing each time you do a load of laundry. One load, wipe the washer and dryer. Another load, just sweep the floor.
- If your washing machine drains into your laundry sink, get a wire mesh lint filter to put over the end and replace it when it fills with lint. It looks like a coarsely knit wire sock, and it will help to keep the sink from clogging.
Warnings
- Never mix household chemicals or cleaners, and do not dispose of them by pouring them down the drain.
- Always keep household chemicals away from children and make sure the lid is on properly.
- Wear gloves when handling household cleaners and use them with adequate ventilation.
