How To Make Basement Laundry A Bit More Enjoyable

Living in a city comes with a lot of benefits, but one of its pitfalls often includes basement laundry. While it’s better to have basement laundry in the building than not having one at all, it’s still not the most pleasant experience to go through. While you dream about in-unit washer and dryer, there are some things you can do in order to make basement laundry trips a little less miserable. Here are some tips to make this happen.

Use Cute Storage Containers

Many times basement laundry areas are very cluttered and full of old moving boxes, plastic storage containers, and other random odds and ends. You can invest in some cute caskets to make things feel a bit cozier. Ashley Murphey, co-founder of NEAT Method says: “These beautiful and functional baskets are great for corralling all your laundry room essentials.” Investing in a few storage items can really made all the difference.

Use A Washable Rug

One of the worst parts of basement laundry rooms is the gross, usually moist and cold basement floor. Start by clearing it of any debris and dirt and then add a washable rug. According to Marissa Hagmeyer of NEAT Method, “This will polish off the space and make it feel more comfortable when you are downstairs tackling piles of clothes.” Best of all, once it gets all gross itself, just toss it into the laundry, which is literally right there.

Try Out New Laundry Products

Doing laundry is never exactly fun, but you can change up your routine by trying out new products that can keep things interesting. Hanna Yokoji, brand director of The Laundress, suggests getting a kit that provides samples of a few different products that you can also display on a shelf.

Make It Smell Better

A lot of times, basement laundry rooms just smell plain old musty. There are some solutions for this that don’t require much work and can make a world of a difference. Buy (or make your own!) lavender pouches and tuck them into several areas around the room. You can add in an odor-absorber to catch those unpleasant smells too.

Find An Air-Drying Area

If there is no designated area for air-drying your items, it’s time to make one. Not only does it prevent damaging dry-only items, it also uses less energy. Yokoji suggests: “Dedicate an area for air-drying delicate garments. We’re big fans of hanging to dry when possible  — it’s better for fabrics and the environment. Consider collapsible wall-mounted racks or a closet rack.”