It is not difficult to organize the laundry room or linen closet. This easy to follow checklist takes the guesswork out of what you need to do. You’ll have an organized laundry room in just a few hours by following these tips.
Whether you have a full-size closet for your linens or if they are on a shelf in your laundry space or even a cabinet in your bathroom, this is prime real estate as you have many items you have to keep here.
From sheets and towels to toilet tissue, cleaning supplies, and more, these spaces are home to many items you need — some of them every single day. The idea is to keep this space clean and organized so that you can find what you need when you need it. That can be a virtually impossible task if your area is not kept tidy and organized.
Since some people have a linen closet and laundry room combined, and others have separate areas, I wanted to make sure our checklist would work for all of you. Print it out by signing up below (access our library to find all of the forms).
You will also find all steps outlined at the bottom of this post in detail, to help you understand more about what each step entails.
Catch up on our ENTIRE 21 Days to a More Organized Home series!!
Grab this checklist to use as a guide when you are ready to organize your laundry room or your linen closet. Check each item off as DONE!
MUST HAVE PRODUCTS FOR AN ORGANIZED LAUNDRY ROOM
Once you get the space cleaned up, you want to keep it clean and organized. That means finding the right tools and products that are so simple to use – that even your family can do it (or at least we can dream they can do it).
Also see: 6 Small Room Organization Ideas to Keep Your Home Clutter Free
But in all seriousness, there are countless products out there that promise to keep your room organized. The truth is that most of them aren’t worth the investment. I am not big on spending money if I do not need to, but if there is a way I can do so that makes my life easier, then it is worth it!
Laundry Organization Station
Most people use a traditional hamper, where all of the dirty clothes get piled, one item on top of the other. When you use a laundry cart, you can sort your items as they are added. Imagine walking in to do a load of laundry, and all of your darks, lights, and whites are sorted and ready to be washed. What a time saver!
The one pictured above has three sections, but you can find others with four and even five sections that will make sorting and getting caught up on laundry a breeze!
Baskets & Bins
Use baskets to collect items such as money from the washer, missing socks, and other treasures you happen to find in your machines. I love this set of three sizes — so that they can hold an array of items!
You can also get larger cloth bins to stack your kids’ clothes in so that they can transport them to their bedrooms to be put away. Teaching your kids how to do laundry at a young age will ensure they know what to do as they grow up.
Foldable Drying Rack
You will have sweaters and other clothes that can’t be tossed into the dryer. That means they need to hang to dry. Investing in a foldable drying rack means it can be put away when not in use – keeping your space organized.
Laundry Cheat Sheet
As your kids get older, they need to help with the laundry. Grab this handy washing guide that helps you tackle every stain and even the settings to use when washing clothes. A must-have for every laundry room! (Here’s a tip — print it out, put it into a frame, and hang it on your wall. It is “useful” artwork).
Laundry Guard
There is nothing more frustrating than those freshly washed shirts sliding off the back or side of your machine –to be retrieved covered in lint! UGH! Use a laundry guard that surrounds the top of your machine so nothing can fall off and end up right back into the wash again.
Storage Cart
If you lack space with shelving or cabinets in your laundry room, get a small rolling cart that will fit between your machines! You can slide your supplies out of view when not doing laundry, but they are right at your fingertips when needed.
Add Wall Hooks
You will have towels, bags, and other things that need to be hung up. Find decorative wall hooks that will not only compliment your space but look gorgeous! Above, you can see examples of an industrial, farmhouse and a shabby chic look.
Small Ironing Board
Yes, believe it or not, many people still iron clothes. But there is no need for a large, heavy, awkward board. You can get a small table top ironing board that can be stored away and pulled out only when needed.
Also See: How To Organize A Small Closet
HOW TO ORGANIZE THE LAUNDRY ROOM AND LINEN CLOSET
Step 1: Remove all items that do not belong in the space
This is the first thing you must do when you want to organize the laundry room. You may see shoes, blankets, or even toys lying in the laundry room.
Your linen closet may be housing electrical cords or items that should be in another location in your home. Take a moment to move these to their proper place (make sure you put them away so you don’t create more clutter in a new space).
Step 2: Remove all items from closets, shelves, and cupboards
Empty all cabinets and drawers and set the things aside. Wipe everything down before returning any items.
Step 3: Go through all items removed before returning them to their place
Before you put anything back, you should go through it all. Here is a simple guide to follow:
TOWELS and WASHCLOTHS
1. Keep no more than 2 – 3 bath towels, two hand towels, and four washcloths per person living in your home.
2. Fold large towels in half and then half again, and finally into thirds to ensure they fit onto the shelf correctly.
3. Check for holes in threads and discard.
4. If new towels are needed, make a note so you can order them at the next big sale.
SHEETS
1. Keep no more than two sets of sheets per bed (if more than one is the same size, you can keep just two total).
2. Fold the flat and fitted sheets and one pillowcase and place inside of one pillowcase. Doing so holds everything together and makes it easy to grab when needed.
CLEANING SUPPLIES
1. Toss anything that you no longer use.
2. Discard anything that is leaking or torn packaging.
3. If the item is more than one year old, dispose of properly.
4. Make a list of anything you need to purchase.
4. Put items back into the cabinet or closet neatly
Place like items together and keep those you do not use as frequently higher up on the shelves. You may also need to add bins or baskets to help hold smaller items so that they do not roll around and fall onto the floor
TOP SHELF:
1. Sheets
2. Paper Towels
3. Additional household supplies (cleaning, soaps, etc.)
CENTER SHELVES: (eye level for ease of accessing)
1. Bath Towels
2. Washcloths
3. Hand Towels
4. Basket with smaller items (brushes, sponges, etc.)
BOTTOM SHELF OR FLOOR:
1. Toilet Paper
2. Kleenex
3. Trash Bags
5. Clean appliances
Make a bowl with hot, soapy water (I use dish soap). Scrub the sides and doors as well as the top. Make sure to clean the soap dispenser as well. You may need to use bleach to remove mildew or mold that may build upon the gasket around your washing machine door.
Use a vacuum to clean out the lint trap on your dryer. If needed, use a crevice tool to get into small cracks
6. Clean behind appliances
Move the appliances, vacuum, and clean behind/underneath. You want to get all of the lint and dirt that has accumulated cleaned up.
There you go! Now you have a laundry room that is clean and organized – so you can find what you need – when you need it!
