| p>Do you dread doing laundry? Are the piles growing | | | | can install a hinge-top table that hangs from the wall |
| out of control? Putting it off won't make it go away. | | | | and folds out of the way when not in use; hang the |
| Let's face it - dirty laundry is a fact of life. But doing | | | | ironing board and iron on an over-the-door hanger to |
| laundry becomes less of a chore when you have an | | | | save space. |
| efficient, pleasing room to do it in. If you want to create | | | | Storing Strategies |
| a laundry room that not only looks good but also | | | | • Store laundry supplies in built-in cabinets or |
| works well, here are some tips to help. | | | | shelving over the machines or in a near-by |
| Purge First | | | | freestanding unit. For both convenience and safety, |
| Before making any attempt to organize the laundry | | | | make sure you install these at a height where you are |
| room, do a thorough purge of old, unused supplies. | | | | not reaching too high: no more than about 6 inches |
| Toss out misshapen hangers, the box of hardened | | | | above shoulder height. |
| laundry detergent and all those socks without partners | | | | • If space is tight, slide a skinny rolling caddy in the |
| you've been saving in hopes of a reunion. Any items | | | | gap between the washer and dryer to store laundry |
| that don't belong in a laundry room can be placed in a | | | | supplies. |
| 'move elsewhere' box for now and distributed to the | | | | • Use wicker baskets or clear plastic bins to house |
| appropriate room later. | | | | dust rags, mesh garment bags and dryer sheets. |
| Creating Zones | | | | Designate a basket for stain removal products and |
| Consider the various tasks that have to be done and | | | | sewing supplies (for quick repairs). Group items by |
| create proper places for these activities. In addition to | | | | type and label each container for easy access. |
| a washer, dryer and sink, you'll need an area to sort, | | | | • A mini-sized wastebasket on a shelf is a handy |
| air-dry and iron. You'll also need a convenient storage | | | | place to keep lint from the dryer or used dryer sheets |
| area for supplies. | | | | until garbage day. |
| Sorting Strategies | | | | • A small clear jar can act as a temporary home |
| • Save time and trouble by keeping a hamper for | | | | for loose change and buttons that mysteriously appear |
| dirty clothes in each bedroom. Lightweight hampers | | | | in the machines after you've done a load. |
| with handles can be carried to the laundry room easily. | | | | More Timesaving Tips |
| Vented hampers let clothes breathe to prevent | | | | • Designate a laundry basket in a different colour |
| mildew. | | | | for each family member. Label it with their name so |
| • Use a laundry sorter to divide dirty clothes into | | | | there's no confusion. As clean clothes come out of the |
| three basic groups: whites, darks/colours and delicates | | | | dryer, place them in the appropriate basket. Deliver |
| hand washables. Invest in a durable sorter; one with | | | | each person's basket to their bedroom and have them |
| canvas bags that hang from a metal frame will hold up | | | | fold and put away their things. |
| well. | | | | • Teach everyone in your home (over the age of |
| • To avoid the missing sock syndrome and make it | | | | about ten) how to do his or her own laundry. This is a |
| easier to distribute clean socks to their rightful owners, | | | | life skill that everyone needs to learn eventually. Post |
| give each family member a colour-coded mesh | | | | instructions on the wall for easy reference. If your |
| laundry bag for his or her dirty socks. Wash and dry | | | | children are too young, get them involved by helping to |
| the socks while they're still in the bag. Then, deposit the | | | | match socks or fold towels. |
| bag of clean socks in each person's laundry basket. | | | | Brighten Up |
| Drying Delicately | | | | Now that you've made your laundry room functional, |
| To air-dry delicate items, use a retractable clothes line, | | | | reward yourself by making it esthetically pleasing as |
| a folding drying rack, or a shower curtain tension rod | | | | well. Paint it a cheerful colour, add a colourful throw rug |
| hung over the washer and dryer. | | | | and hang something decorative on the wall. |
| Ironing With Ease | | | | Following these simple tips will wash away your |
| If you have a front-loading washer and dryer, install a | | | | laundry day blues, making the chore quicker, easier and |
| countertop over the machines for folding clothes. If you | | | | more pleasant. Once you've created an attractive, |
| want to use it as a handy ironing surface, build the | | | | functional space with easy access to all your supplies, |
| countertop out of MDF, glue some foam on top and | | | | you'll spend less time doing laundry and more time |
| cover it with heat-resistant sailcloth. Alternatively, you | | | | enjoying life. |