Laundry Room Cabinets and Shelves: Settings, Products, and Timing
Laundry Room Cabinets and Shelves: Settings, Products, and Timing
You want to organize your laundry room with cabinets and shelves. Maybe your supplies are cluttered, you can’t find what you need, or you want a more functional laundry space. Laundry room cabinets and shelves keep supplies organized, protect them from moisture, and make laundry tasks easier. Here’s a guide to laundry room cabinets and shelves, including settings, products, and timing.
Laundry room cabinets and shelves are storage solutions designed for the laundry room to organize detergent, stain removers, fabric care products, and laundry accessories. Cabinets provide enclosed storage that protects supplies from moisture and dust, while shelves provide open storage for items used frequently. The key is choosing the right type, placing them efficiently, and organizing products for easy access.
To set up laundry room cabinets and shelves, measure your space, choose between wall cabinets and freestanding shelves, install at the right height, organize products by frequency of use, keep detergent and stain removers at eye level, and store less-used items up high. Use moisture-resistant materials, don’t overload shelves, and keep products away from the dryer’s heat.
Types of Laundry Room Storage
Wall Cabinets
Wall cabinets are mounted on the wall above the washer and dryer. They provide enclosed storage that protects supplies from moisture and dust.
Best for: Detergent, stain removers, and frequently used products.
Freestanding Shelves
Freestanding shelves stand on the floor and provide open storage. They’re easy to install and move.
Best for: Bulk items, baskets, and laundry baskets.
Floating Shelves
Floating shelves are mounted on the wall without visible brackets. They provide a clean, modern look.
Best for: Decorative items, frequently used products, and small containers.
Over-the-Washer Shelves
Over-the-washer shelves are designed to span the space above the washer and dryer. They maximize vertical space.
Best for: Detergent, fabric softener, and items used during every load.
Tall Cabinets
Tall cabinets are freestanding cabinets that provide maximum storage. They’re similar to pantry cabinets.
Best for: Bulk storage, ironing boards, and cleaning supplies.
Base Cabinets
Base cabinets sit on the floor and provide counter space for folding. They’re similar to kitchen cabinets.
Best for: Counter space for folding, hidden storage for supplies.
Settings Guide
Placement
Above the washer and dryer: Install wall cabinets or shelves 18 to 24 inches above the washer and dryer. This provides easy access without bending.
Beside the washer and dryer: Install tall cabinets or freestanding shelves beside the appliances for bulk storage.
Behind the door: Use over-the-door organizers or shallow shelves behind the laundry room door for small items.
Above the sink: Install shelves above the sink for stain removers and pre-treatment products.
Height
Eye level: Keep detergent and frequently used products at eye level (60 to 66 inches from the floor).
Above eye level: Store less-used items above eye level (66 to 84 inches).
Below eye level: Store heavy items below eye level (below 60 inches).
Moisture Resistance
Choose moisture-resistant materials for laundry room storage. The laundry room is humid, so avoid untreated wood that can warp or mold. Use laminate, metal, or treated wood.
Ventilation
Ensure good ventilation in the laundry room to prevent moisture buildup. Open windows or use a fan when running the washer or dryer.
Products Guide
Laundry Products to Store
Organize your laundry room with these products:
Detergent: Tide Free and Gentle
Stain removers:
- OxiClean Max Force Spray
- Dawn Ultra Dish Soap
- Shout Advanced Grease Busting Foam
- Amodex Ink and Stain Remover
Boosters:
Disinfectant: Lysol Laundry Sanitizer
Machine cleaner: affresh Washing Machine Cleaner
Storage Containers
Use clear containers for easy identification. Label each container with the product name. Use baskets for small items.
Organizing Tools
Use drawer dividers, shelf organizers, and pull-out baskets to maximize storage efficiency.
Timing Guide
| Task | When | How Often |
|---|---|---|
| Install cabinets and shelves | When setting up the laundry room | Once |
| Organize products | After installation | Once, then maintain |
| Declutter expired products | Every 6 months | Twice a year |
| Clean shelves and cabinets | Monthly | Monthly |
| Restock supplies | When running low | As needed |
| Check moisture damage | Every 3 months | Quarterly |
How to Organize Laundry Room Cabinets and Shelves
Step 1: Measure Your Space
Measure the width, depth, and height of your laundry room. Note the location of the washer, dryer, sink, and door.
Step 2: Choose the Right Storage
Choose the right type of storage based on your space and needs. Wall cabinets for enclosed storage, shelves for open storage, tall cabinets for bulk storage.
Step 3: Install at the Right Height
Install cabinets and shelves at the right height for easy access. Eye level for frequently used products, above for less used, below for heavy items.
Step 4: Organize by Frequency of Use
Organize products by how often you use them. Most used at eye level, less used above, heavy items below.
Step 5: Label Containers
Label each container with the product name for easy identification.
Step 6: Keep Stain Removers Together
Keep all stain removers (OxiClean, Dawn, Shout, Amodex) together in one area for quick access.
Step 7: Keep Machine Care Products Together
Keep affresh and Lysol together for monthly machine maintenance.
Step 8: Store Away from Heat
Don’t store products directly above or next to the dryer, which can get hot. Store at least 12 inches from the dryer.
What Not to Do
Don’t use untreated wood. Untreated wood can warp and mold in the humid laundry room. Use laminate, metal, or treated wood.
Don’t overload shelves. Overloading can cause shelves to sag or fall. Follow the weight limit.
Don’t store products near the dryer’s heat. Heat can degrade products. Store at least 12 inches from the dryer.
Don’t store products on the floor. Floor storage is vulnerable to water damage. Use shelves or cabinets.
Don’t forget to clean shelves. Dust and moisture can build up on shelves. Clean monthly.
Don’t store expired products. Check expiration dates every 6 months and discard expired products.
FAQ
What are the best laundry room cabinets and shelves? Wall cabinets above the washer and dryer for enclosed storage, freestanding shelves for bulk items, and floating shelves for frequently used products. Choose moisture-resistant materials like laminate or metal.
How high should laundry room shelves be? Install shelves 18 to 24 inches above the washer and dryer. Keep frequently used products at eye level (60 to 66 inches from the floor). Store less-used items above and heavy items below.
What should you store in laundry room cabinets? Store detergent, stain removers, fabric care products, machine cleaners, and laundry accessories. Keep stain removers together for quick access and machine care products together for monthly maintenance.
How do you organize a laundry room? Measure your space, choose the right storage, install at the right height, organize by frequency of use, label containers, keep stain removers together, keep machine care products together, and store away from the dryer’s heat.
What materials are best for laundry room storage? Moisture-resistant materials like laminate, metal, and treated wood are best for laundry room storage. Avoid untreated wood, which can warp and mold.
References
- The Spruce. “Laundry Room Storage Guide.” thespruce.com.
- Good Housekeeping. “Laundry Room Organization.” goodhousekeeping.com.
- HGTV. “Laundry Room Design Guide.” hgtv.com.
- Better Homes and Gardens. “Laundry Room Ideas.” bhg.com.
