Washing clothes may not be on every person’s list of enjoyable activities. Besides dealing with messy and stained clothes, doing laundry can feel like a never-ending chore, especially if you have children in the household.
However, if you’re an Australian worker, you can claim tax deductions for work-related clothing and laundry expenses. So, you may ask, ‘how much laundry allowance can I claim?’ Laundry expenses for qualified clothing are pegged at AUD$150, according to law.
If this doesn’t apply to you, then laundry is like any other home task that you can’t escape. And the more you delay washing, the more clothes pile up, making laundry much more than an arduous activity. So, unless you’re open to wearing the same shirt repeatedly, you must do the laundry regularly and find a silver lining in such a tiresome task.
Here’s our laundry room essentials list curated for a more enjoyable clothes washing day.
- Laundry appliances
No laundry room is ever complete without laundry appliances like a washing machine and dryer. Washing machines either come in front load or top load designs. Front-loading machines are generally pricier, but they’re deemed more energy-efficient and require less water, translating to more considerable savings in the long term.
Conversely, top-load washing machines are cheaper, more reliable, and easier to have repaired than the other option. It’s up to you to pick the best solution for your washing needs, but don’t forget to consider the space in your laundry room, lifestyle, capacity requirements and budget.
2. Washing detergents
Laundry detergents come in different types, like powder, liquid and pods. Each has its upsides and downsides depending on its intended use and quality. For instance, liquid detergents are easy to use and dissolve quicker than solid ones. Additionally, they work better for delicate fabrics. Laundry pods are almost similar to their liquid counterparts, the only difference being that they’re repackaged into smaller sizes and may be more concentrated than the former.
On the other hand, laundry powder is the cheapest option and has the most extended shelf-life compared to the alternatives. Moreover, experts recommend powder detergents for eliminating persistent stains, as they contain higher concentrations of stain-removing compounds. While choosing the best laundry powder can be difficult, always opt for the product that fits your needs. It also wouldn’t hurt to consider sustainability when making a choice.
3. Water source
Water is crucial not only for drinking but for bathing and washing clothes. Your washing area must have 3-piece laundry taps to help enhance your clothes cleaning experience. Three-piece laundry taps are called such because they have three levers, one for the spout and one for hot and cold water.
Soak the soiled clothes in warm water to get rid of tough stains for a more effortless wash. On the other hand, cold water is meant for washing delicate fabrics, making 3-piece laundry taps a must-have in your laundry room essentials list.
4. Bleach, fabric conditioner, and dryer sheets
If detergents and soaking fail to do the job, you can use bleach and other stain removers to eliminate spots on your clothes. Dryer sheets are more than laundry accessories Bunnings has in its list of merchandise. They’re multi-purpose laundry essentials that remove odours and static, making fabrics fragrant and softer.
5. Dryer racks or indoor clotheslines
For locations often battered by violent storms and heavy rains, it’s best to have space-saving foldable dryer racks or indoor clotheslines to air-dry soft fabrics, school uniforms and workwear.
6. Laundry bags or baskets
Depending on the space available in your room, you may choose whether to have laundry baskets or foldable laundry bags. Most modular bags are the better option because they are space-saving and sustainable. Moreover, additional functions like wheels on the bottom are better than carrying a pile of clothes.
7. Essential laundry accessories
Designer laundry accessories are often viewed as unnecessary expenses. However, they serve their purpose in making clothes washing a better experience. Besides making laundry activities more exciting, these so-called ‘accessories’ provide convenience, enabling them to earn spots in this laundry room essentials list:
- Sewing materials for emergency clothes-mending
- Brightly-coloured stools to sit on while reading a book and waiting for the cycle to end
- Ironing board or mat to keep clothes slick
- Folding board to make dried clothes neat
- Towels to wipe spills and other mess
- Cleaning items like mop, broom, and a garbage bin to get rid of disposables
- A folder with instruction manuals and laundry symbol tags for easy fixes and proper washing instructions
The takeaway
Your laundry room essentials list will depend on your room size and how you plan to use it. A bigger room lets you do more; thus, you’d need more than washing supplies to store in it. That being said, it’s crucial to have a bright and spacious room as much as possible.
If you can’t, don’t fret because you can always get space-saving appliances and materials to optimise the area. By making things in your laundry room organised and tidy – with all the must-haves within your reach – washing clothes becomes less of a back-breaking job.
References
- Larkin, E. 10 December 2021. What to Store in the Laundry Room. www.thespruce.com https://www.thespruce.com/what-to-store-in-the-laundry-room-4150422. Accessed 09 August 2022
- Liles, M. 01 March 2022. Liquid vs. Powder Detergent vs Pods: Which Is Best to Use?. www.rd.com. https://www.rd.com/article/liquid-vs-powder-detergent/. Accessed 09 August 2022
- Conti, M. 05 January 2022. 14 Best Laundry Room Ideas and Essentials. www.hgtv.com. https://www.hgtv.com/design/rooms/other-rooms/10-laundry-room-essentials. Accessed 09 August 2022