A well-equipped laundry room is essential for keeping clothes and linens fresh and clean. Having the right tools and appliances can make doing laundry easier and more efficient. Here are 10 of the most useful laundry room essentials:
Washing Machine
A washing machine is arguably the most important piece of laundry equipment. When selecting a washing machine, key factors to consider include:
- Capacity – Choose a size that can handle the needs of your household. Front-loading washers typically have capacities of 4-6 cubic feet. Top loaders may have capacities of 3-5 cubic feet.
- Cycles – Look for different wash cycles to handle various fabrics and levels of dirtiness. Some common cycles are normal, permanent press, delicate, and sanitizing.
- Efficiency – Front-loading and top-loading high efficiency (HE) washers use less water and energy compared to conventional models. They gently tumble clothes rather than agitate them.
- Noise – Front-load washers tend to operate more quietly than top-load versions. Look for sound dampening features if noise is a concern.
- Cleaning technology – Some washers have built-in steam cycles or sanitize modes that help kill bacteria and remove stains.
Selecting an ENERGY STAR certified washing machine can help reduce utility costs and environmental impact. When shopping, take note of capacity, cycle options, efficiency, noise level, and cleaning technology to find the right fit.
Dryer
After washing clothes, having a dryer makes quick work of getting them dry, fluffy, and ready to wear. There are a few main dryer types:
- Electric dryers – These run on 220-volt electricity. They tend to heat up faster and have a lower risk of gas leaks. However, electric dryers typically cost more to operate long-term.
- Gas dryers – Gas dryers hook up to a gas supply line. They are usually less expensive to run than electric dryers. However, gas lines require special installation.
- Ventless dryers – These condensing dryers exhaust heat and moisture into the room instead of outside. They don’t require external venting but can make the laundry room hot.
- Heat pump dryers – Heat pump dryers recycle hot air from the clothes to dry them efficiently. They use less energy but have longer run times.
Key factors when selecting a dryer include fuel type, venting, capacity, cycles, and efficiency. Like washers, ENERGY STAR models help reduce utility usage and costs.
Laundry Detergent
Having a good laundry detergent is essential for removing dirt, odors, and stains from fabrics. When selecting detergent, consider:
- Form – Powder, liquid, pods/packets, or tablets
- Regular vs. HE – Use HE detergent for front-loading or HE machines
- Scent – Fragrance free or scented versions like floral, citrus, etc.
- Purpose – Types for whites, colors, sensitive skin, odor elimination, etc.
- Stain-fighting ingredients – Formulas with enzymes to break down stains
- Plant-based – Made from natural, renewable ingredients
- Eco-friendly – Free of phosphates, dyes, etc. that may harm the environment
Testing different detergents can help determine which cleans clothes best for your household’s needs.
Dryer Sheets
Dryer sheets impart a fresh scent and soft feel to laundry loads. They help reduce static cling in clothes pulled warm from the dryer. Some options provide fabric softening, wrinkle release, and static control in one product. Use unscented dryer sheets for people sensitive to perfumes.
Stain Remover Spray or Bar
Having a good stain remover helps pre-treat pesky spots before laundry. Spray or bar formulas can target oil, grease, food stains, grass, ink, makeup, blood, and other messes. Check clothing care tags first and test remover on an inconspicuous area. Let it sit for a few minutes before washing.
Clothespins
Simple but essential, clothespins securely hang wet laundry to dry. Opt for sturdy wooden or plastic pins. Steel variations can rust over time. Buy extra packages so you always have enough pins on hand for each load.
Drying Rack
A drying rack provides space to air dry clothing, towels, delicate fabrics, and items that can’t go in the dryer. Consider a collapsible rack to save space or a tiered version to maximize drying area. Place the rack in a room with good ventilation and air circulation.
Laundry Basket or Hamper
A basket or hamper neatly corrals dirty clothes until washing. Look for sturdy baskets with handles for easy transport. Select a hamper size to handle 1-2 laundry loads. Adding a lid helps contain odors. Get separate hampers for each family member to simplify sorting.
Garment Steamer
A lightweight garment steamer quickly removes wrinkles and refreshes clothes right on the hanger. It’s perfect for delicate fabrics and heavy drapes. Choose a model with variable steam settings and a decent-sized water tank. Make sure it heats up quickly and has an automatic shut-off for safety.
Iron and Ironing Board
For crisply pressed shirts, pants, and dresses, an iron and ironing board are essential laundry room tools. Look for an iron with adjustable heat, steam burst, and flow settings. A retractable power cord makes storage easier. For the board, select a sturdy wide model with adjustable height and ventilation holes.
Laundry Sorter
A divided laundry sorter makes it easy to separate lights, darks, colors, delicates, and whites for washing. Sectioned hamper styles have removable bags that can go right into the washer. Or opt for a freestanding sorter with chutes designated by fabric type. Proper sorting prevents dye transfer issues.
Lint Roller
A lint roller quickly removes stubborn fuzz, pet hair, and lint from laundry before folding or wearing. Roll-on sticky sheets conveniently clean clothes right in the laundry room. Reusable fabric shavers also work well. Having a lint remover prevents transferred lint on freshly washed clothes.
Laundry Room Extras
A few optional extras help streamline laundry day:
- Laundry storage – Wall mounted racks, over the door hooks, and cubbies to store supplies.
- Folding table – Provides space for folding and sorting clothes.
- Sink – For handwashing and pretreating stains.
- Laundry bags – Mesh bags protect delicates in the washer and dryer.
- Stain remover brush – Helps scrub out tough set-in stains.
- Fabric shavers – Battery operated devices remove pills and fuzz.
- Wrinkle release spray – Quickly smooths wrinkles between washes.
Laundry Room Tips
Follow these tips and best practices for smooth laundry operations:
- Sort clothes by color, fabric, and soil level before washing.
- Pre-treat any stains and heavily soiled areas.
- Read clothing care labels and wash items on the right cycle.
- Use high efficiency (HE) detergent for HE washers.
- Only fill the washer drum 2/3 full. Overloading causes uneven cleaning.
- Clean the washing machine monthly to prevent mold and mildew.
- Clean the dryer lint screen before and after each load.
- Let the dryer run 5-10 minutes after clothes are dry to fluff items.
- Immediately remove clothes from the dryer to prevent wrinkling.
- Hang or fold clothes right away to cut down on ironing needs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Laundry Room Equipment
What size washing machine do I need?
For most households, a washer with 4-5 cubic feet of capacity can handle 6-8 pounds of laundry per load. Go up to 5-6 cubic feet for bigger loads or larger families. Compact 2-3 cubic foot models work well for apartments or laundry closets.
Should I get a top-load or front-load washer?
Front-load washers are typically more water and energy efficient. They work well when stacking units. Top-load washers may cost less upfront and be easier to load. Pick the configuration that best fits your space and budget.
What wash cycles should my washing machine have?
Aim for a washer with normal, heavy duty, delicate/hand wash, perm press/wrinkle control, whites, and quick wash cycles. Additional cycles like sanitize are useful too. The more options, the more versatility for handling different fabric types.
Do I need a high efficiency (HE) washer?
HE washers use less water and energy. To enjoy these savings, make sure to pair an HE washer with HE detergent. Look for an ENERGY STAR model to reduce utility costs.
How do I know what laundry detergent to use?
Always check clothing labels for washing instructions. Use powder or liquid HE detergent for front loaders. Standard top-load machines can use powder, liquid, or single dose pod detergents. Test to see which cleans your laundry best.
Should I get a gas or electric dryer?
Factor in your utility costs. Gas dryers tend to be cheaper to operate but require a gas line hookup. Electric dryers simply need a standard outlet. Heat pump dryers use less energy than conventional electric models.
What size laundry hamper should I get?
Choose a hamper about 1.5 times the size of your washer drum. For example, pair a 3 cubic foot washer with a 4-5 cubic foot hamper. Get a style with removable bags that go right into the machine.
How do I prevent lint on washed clothes?
Wipe down the washing drum monthly to remove built-up residue. Clean the lint trap before each dryer load. Use a lint roller on clothes before folding. Wash lint-causing items like towels separately from lin- attracting clothes.
What is the best way to dry clothes indoors?
An adjustable drying rack placed in a room with good airflow works well. For faster drying, position a fan to blow air across the rack. Hang or lay delicates flat to dry. Check clothes every few hours until completely dry.
Conclusion
Creating a fully-functioning laundry room takes more than just a washer and dryer. Include laundry essentials like an effective detergent, garment care tools, drying rack, hamper, and other accessories tailored to your household needs. Investing in the right equipment helps streamline cleaning, drying, and care for all your family’s favorite clothes and linens. With this checklist of laundry room must-haves, you can upgrade your current setup or design an efficient new space for tackling mountains of dirty clothes with ease.