How to Keep my Laundry Room Minimalistic and ECO-FRIENDLY?
I have heard so many times doing laundry is not most people’s favorite thing to do, although I know some people that can simply fold it while watching TV and they are pretty chill about it. To me this part is actually UGH! and it feels even less attractive if your laundry room is a mess.
But beyond this open and solid statement, I know that doing laundry can be not so favorable to the earth and its resources. So many chemicals in most detergents and the use of energy and water is noticeable. That is why I want to show you how to keep your laundry room minimalistic and eco-friendly and because this month we celebrate Earth Day.
Please let me start by saying: having a good storage system is essential. Try first with a stacked washer and dryer and consider all kinds of storage ideas for laundry room, including hidden storage. Take everything out of your laundry room -but the washer and dryer- and start sorting out all your products based on how often you use them to improve the functionality of the area. Finally, consider about changing into cleaner and less laundry products.
I also like the idea of starting to classify laundry as it gets elegible to go to the basket and sometimes having a couple of dirty laundry baskets with nice designs promoting the vibe you want for your room, besides being very helpful for this sorting, is a great option as well. Choose something that promotes excitement to you so you’re more likely to use it, in addition to picking the right size to not let you overflow your laundry abilities with a huge pile lol.
And this is just the start point.
INSTALL A DRYING RACK
This one is short. Simply think about your delicate fabrics, swimming suits, lingerie, underwear, etc. They need you to install a drying rack on the wall or attached to your laundry cabinets/shelves. It will save you not only floor space but energy from the dryer and your most vulnerable clothes, plus it looks pretty good if you hang it by colors!
STORE SUPPLIES IN CONTAINERS
Storage your laundry supplies in glass (or crystal clear plastic) containers and canisters, and place them more accessible to you from most to least used. From lower or closer shelf/storage to further and upper ones. I suggest building a streamlined or symmetrical appearance, and using a glass drink dispenser to store your liquid detergent that you can fill and pour with a cup. Thanks goodness no more ugly detergent containers taking so much space, yay!
SLIDING STORAGE CABINET
If your washer and dryer are not stacked, make some tiny space between them and slide a tiered cabinet with wheels, where you can actually storage your less needed and heavy laundry products like stain removers, bleach, irons and steamers. If the cabinet does not fit there, try between one of the machines and the side wall. It is a great way to hide visual clutter. Go for it!
GET BUILT-INS
Design your own combination of shelves and hanging space that works for your laundry room, personal preferences and needs. Consider a high and long shelf in the middle and make everything look pretty and minimalist. Store the products you need regularly towards the bottom and fill the upper shelves with baskets to hide clutter, make sure to label everything. Add any personal touch for decoration such as wall paper, stickers, signs, mat, flowers or plants, etc. and keep it low key.
MINIMIZE YOUR CLOTHING
The secret to make laundry duties more meditative and definitively more eco-friendly is reducing your clothing to mainly your favorite pieces, those you cannot stop using cause it DOES feel and look SO good and according to the seasons. Setting a laundry process and schedule can also help you to integrate this into your week instead of turning into an emergency task. Establish two or three categories: dark colors, white, or linen/delicates, etc. And propose yourself the intention of annually letting go those items you never use or don’t like anymore. Put them on sale or give them away.
CHOOSE NATURAL MATERIALS
Laundry rooms can be fancy and stylish. Using natural fibers and wood can give it a visually sense of freshness, lighter, neutral and cleaner look. In these commonly reduced spaces, opting for minimalism is knocking your door now that you know all this, and I believe natural materials are perfect for this purpose and for keeping it clean to be more benevolent with Planet Earth.
I really hope you are loving every single idea I am sharing here and actually see yourself making it happen. Please don’t forget to enjoy the process and celebrate yourself for the results. See you next time!