Laundry and Storage Room: What Works and What to Avoid

You want to set up a laundry and storage room. Maybe you have a small space that needs to handle both laundry and storage. Combining these functions saves space but requires careful planning. The wrong setup can create clutter, trap moisture, and damage clothes. Here’s what works and what to avoid for a laundry and storage room.

A laundry and storage room is a multi-purpose space that combines laundry equipment (washer, dryer, sink) with clothing storage (shelves, bins, racks). This setup is common in small homes, apartments, and utility rooms. A well-designed laundry and storage room handles both functions efficiently without cross-contamination.

To set up a laundry and storage room, separate the laundry zone from the storage zone, use shelving and bins for organization, keep storage away from moisture, ventilate the space, use the right products, and maintain the space regularly. Don’t store clothes near the dryer vent, don’t store dirty and clean clothes together, and don’t block airflow.

What Works

Separate the Laundry Zone from the Storage Zone

Keep the laundry area (washer, dryer, sink) separate from the storage area (shelves, bins, racks). Use physical barriers like shelving units or curtains.

Use Shelving and Bins

Shelving: Use adjustable wire shelving for flexibility. Install shelves at least 12 inches deep.

Bins: Use labeled bins for out-of-season clothes, extra bedding, and bulky items. Use fabric bins for breathable storage and plastic bins for airtight storage.

Keep Storage Away from Moisture

Don’t store clothes near the washer, dryer vent, or sink. Moisture from laundry can damage stored clothes.

Ventilate the Space

Install an exhaust fan or open a window. Good ventilation prevents mold and mildew.

Use a Drying Rack

Use a wall-mounted or folding drying rack for air-drying clothes. This saves energy and is gentler on clothes.

Use a Folding Table

Use a folding table or countertop for folding clothes. This makes laundry easier and keeps the space organized.

Use the Right Products

Detergent: Tide Free and Gentle

Stain removers: OxiClean Max Force Spray, Dawn Ultra Dish Soap, Shout Advanced Grease Busting Foam

Odor absorber: Arm and Hammer Baking Soda

Machine cleaner: affresh Washing Machine Cleaner

Laundry sanitizer: Lysol Laundry Sanitizer

Ink remover: Amodex Ink and Stain Remover

Label Everything

Label bins, shelves, and zones. This keeps the space organized.

Use Vertical Space

Install shelves up to the ceiling for items you don’t need often. Use a step stool for access.

Keep the Floor Clear

A clear floor makes the space easier to clean and use.

Maintain the Space Regularly

Clean the room weekly. Clean the machines monthly with affresh. Check stored clothes every 6 months.

What to Avoid

Don’t store clothes near the dryer vent. Heat and moisture from the dryer can damage stored clothes.

Don’t store dirty and clean clothes together. Dirty clothes attract pests and cause odors.

Don’t block airflow. Keep vents and fans clear. Poor ventilation causes mold and mildew.

Don’t use cardboard boxes for long-term storage. Cardboard attracts pests and absorbs moisture.

Don’t store clothes on the floor. Use shelves or bins. Floor storage attracts pests and moisture.

Don’t overload the space. Leave room to move and work.

Don’t forget to clean the machines. Use affresh monthly.

Don’t store chemicals near clothes. Keep detergent and cleaning products away from stored clothes.

FAQ

How do you set up a laundry and storage room? Separate the laundry zone from the storage zone, use shelving and bins, keep storage away from moisture, ventilate the space, use a drying rack and folding table, label everything, and use vertical space.

Can you combine laundry and storage in one room? Yes, with careful planning. Keep storage away from moisture, ventilate the space, and separate the zones.

What should you avoid in a laundry and storage room? Don’t store clothes near the dryer vent, don’t store dirty and clean clothes together, don’t block airflow, don’t use cardboard boxes, don’t store clothes on the floor, and don’t overload the space.

How do you organize a small laundry and storage room? Use vertical space, adjustable shelving, labeled bins, wall-mounted drying racks, and a folding table. Keep the floor clear.

How often should you clean a laundry and storage room? Clean the room weekly. Clean the machines monthly with affresh. Check stored clothes every 6 months.

References

1. The Spruce. “Laundry Room Guide.” thespruce.com.
2. Good Housekeeping. “Laundry Room Ideas.” goodhousekeeping.com.
3. Better Homes and Gardens. “Laundry Room Guide.” bhg.com.
4. Container Store. “Storage Guide.” containerstore.com.