Having a quick, effective solution to tackle stains can alleviate the stress of getting gleaming results when doing the laundry. Finding one that costs just 54p is even better.

From dealing with the unpleasant yellow stains from your pillows to removing coffee stains (like me, as you'll see later), when it comes to stain removal, a solution that doesn't involve endless scrubbing is always preferred.

This is why this expert cleaning hack immediately caught our attention, thanks to its lack of elbow grease and unexpected cleaning power – plus it being a budget household ingredient. That's right, the key to effortless stain removal has been hiding in our medicine cabinets all along – it's aspirin.

Aspirin laundry hack for tackling stains: expert recommendation

Stains seem to happen at the worst possible moments, usually on our whitest clothes. So, while you may know how to remove coffee stains around your home, tackling your clothes and bedding is a whole other ordeal.

"When it comes to stubborn stains and pesky mould in laundry, you don’t need to spend a fortune on expensive removers. The solution might already be in your medicine cabinet - aspirin," says Laundry expert Deyan Dimitrov, the CEO of Laundryheap.

He explains the cleaning power behind aspirin, "Aspirin contains acetylsalicylic acid, which helps break down stains, brighten whites, and even tackle mould spores lurking in fabric. It’s a game-changer for anyone dealing with yellowed shirts, sweat stains, or mildew odours on towels."

As well as being a powerful cleaner, you can pick up aspirin for a very low cost with own-brand packets starting at around 50p. Similar to cleaning with denture tablets, this hack is cheap, simple and effective.

"It’s also eco-friendly, free from harsh chemicals or artificial whiteners, and gentle on fabrics, unlike bleach, which can weaken fibres," adds Deyan. It's a similar story when cleaning with citric acid.

So, how do you achieve this natural deep clean? Deyan recommends crushing 5-6 uncoated aspirin tablets and dissolving them in a bowl of warm water. Then, soak the stained clothes in the solution for a few hours or overnight for more stubborn stains. All that's left to do is wash them as normal in your machine.

If you're struggling with preventing mould in your home then this hack can also help with affected fabrics.

"Aspiring is great for removing mildew from clothes, curtains, and even washing machines. Just crush five aspirin tablets and mix them with water to create a paste. For an extra boost, you can add white vinegar or lemon juice," explains Deyan.

"Apply the paste to affected areas, leave for 30 minutes, then wash as usual. You can also add dissolved aspirin to your detergent drawer to deep-clean your machine," He adds.

And it's not just stain removal, aspirin can also help whiten your best sheets, so they look brand new again. Talk about a wonder product.

Deyan says, "If your white sheets are looking a little yellow or grey, aspirin can bring them back to life. Dissolve 3-5 aspirin tablets in lukewarm water and add the solution to your wash. For an even brighter result, soak them overnight in the bathtub in this solution before popping them in the washing machine."

Now you're prepared for the next spaghetti spill, mouldy wardrobe discovery and even for reviving those grey-looking sheets. Life changed.

Best of all, this affordable and effective method works on most materials. "There's nothing to avoid washing with aspirin, as it's quite delicate on fabrics," Deyan confirms.

It does have another unusual laundry use, one which we can all relate to. "Balled up bits of tissue are the nemesis of any parent’s washing machine experience," says Deyan. Instead of fretting, try some aspirin."

"After giving the affected items a little shake outside to gently dust some of the tissue off, dissolve four aspirin tablets in a bucket of hot water, and place the affected garment in it. Leave the concoction for two hours before giving the items a quick rinse in the washing machine. To your delight, they ought to be as good as new!"

Don't have an aspirin in? Denyan says it's absolutely no problem, when you're in a bind you can use Alka-Seltzer as an alternative.

"Dissolve two tablets in 4 cups of water and leave your clothes to soak overnight, and then wash as usual. Outside of the medicine cabinet, you can also use white vinegar or baking soda as alternative stain removers you might already have in your home," he explains.

Weekly washing can quickly become one of the most dreaded household tasks, especially when it seems neverending. So when I saw cleaning expert Lynsey Crombie recommending a tool that lightens the load a little I was immediately sold.

Even when you know all the laundry drying mistakes to avoid, the whole process can take far longer than you'd like. You can end up dropping socks everywhere, forgetting half of the dark wash and tripping whilst holding a week's worth of clothes in your arms. Not any longer thanks to this quirky laundry aid.

Sound familiar? Well, it does to me, which is why when I saw this laundry apron doing the rounds on Instagram, and from the Queen of Clean herself Lynsey Crombie, I just had to give it a try.

Lynsey Crombie's laundry apron: my thoughts

Whether I'm drying clothes indoors without a dryer or taking advantage of the sun by hanging washing on the line, I'm a repeat offender when it comes to dropping clean clothes on the floor.

So being able to carry a load with both hands-frees to peg or hang, immediately caught my attention.

I won't lie, I put off purchasing this apron for several reasons. Firstly I was a little dubious that something so cheap could be helpful for tasks around the house. The second was that I questioned whether it would hurt my back, to hold that much weight. Luckily I was quickly proved wrong, on both counts.

In the same way, a dehumidifier is a helpful aid in drying clothes, I knew this wouldn't completely transform my laundry routine but it would certainly make it a lot easier and quicker. And that it did.

From having all my socks within reach to using it for a host of other jobs around the house, I actually don't know what I'd do without this apron now.

That's right, what surprised me was how handy this was for other jobs around the house. Normal tidying that would have me going back and forth more times than I can count now became one-trip jobs with the apron. I filled it with fallen dog toys, forgotten chargers and even Christmas decorations.

If you're always wondering how to declutter your home or require home organisation ideas for a tidy space, this might just be the item for you.

While the price is, of course, wonderfully affordable, I don't see this lasting me years and years. Since it is made of plastic, I'm sure the stitches will eventually begin to fray, so if you'd prefer to invest in something more long-term, you should look out for stronger fabric alternatives.

With the material in mind, I wouldn't load this apron with heaps of wet heavy washing. Avoiding jeans, towels and outerwear is probably best if you want it to last longer. But I found I appreciated it more for carrying the smaller things, especially socks and underwear, for me.

So, my verdict? This apron is an absolute steal for those of you who tidy all the time and pick up after kids, pets, or even yourself. For the price, it's a no-brainer and truly one of those small things that makes life just a touch easier.

Finding ways to streamline my weekly washing process is always going to be a goal, so finding tricks to speed up my tumble dryer cycle and ideas for transporting clothes are appreciated. After all, aside from the daily habits I do to keep my home clean and tidy, I'd really rather not be doing laundry every day and I know I'm not on my own there.

Battling the weekly wash is difficult enough, but finding somewhere to dry it all is the real challenge, especially in winter. Made all the more tricky because many of these methods should be avoided altogether.

Drying clothes indoors during winter proves tricky, especially if you are limited on space and don't have a tumble dryer. Even when you own one of the best-heated airers, there's the potential mistake of overloading it or loading it inefficiently, making drying times even longer.

With a long winter still ahead, now is the ideal time to discover common laundry drying mistakes to avoid, ensuring a season full of dry, fresh-smelling clothes, bedding and towels.

8 laundry drying mistakes to avoid this winter

In addition to making your home cosy, the colder months mean finding a way to dry your clothes fast and effectively indoors. You might think there aren't many laundry mistakes you can make in your home, but surprisingly, there are a fair few.

Whether you've run out of small laundry room ideas or have been faced with a particularly overwhelming, large load of washing without a dryer, you've probably had to get creative with your drying options.

With that in mind, we asked the experts to share any potential pitfalls and mistakes you could make when drying your clothes indoors to ensure the process is as smooth as possible.

1. Overcrowding

"One common mistake is overcrowding the clothes rack because airflow is everything," says Henrique Conceicao, area manager at Total Clean. "If clothes are packed too closely, the air can’t circulate properly. I learned early on, while preparing venues, how important it is to space things out for the best result."

This isn't considered a laundry mistake that makes your home untidy, but it will mean your clothes take forever to dry. You might pride yourself on never doing this but when you're in a rush throwing clothes on an airer or radiator without organising them is a big no-no.

"This is the 'clothes mountain' approach, where everything gets piled together in a jumbled mess, your clothes need to breathe just like you do, so if possible, get yourself a dedicated rack and try to position it in a warm area of the home, ensuring the clothes are evenly spaced out," Catherine Green, cleaning expert at Smol.

2. Not using a heated airer

Perhaps because of caution around how much it costs to run a heated airer, many will forgo using one to dry clothes in winter but this could be considered a mistake.

Despite energy prices soaring it remains highly affordable to run a heated clothes airer to start the drying process. Not having a heated airer to help on really cold days can result in a fresh load of laundry smelling damp because it takes too long to dry properly.

From testing heated clothes airer we can confirm these laundry devices are pretty straightforward drying aids to use but there are some mistakes to be made when loading, in the same way as a traditional clothes airer (as mentioned above).

3. Doing large laundry loads

It can be very tempting to get all your washing done as quickly as possible, especially when you've got a whole house to deep clean on top of the laundry. But overloading your washer can have a knock-on effect on your clothes.

"You may be trying to get as much laundry done as possible or reduce the number of times you run your washing machine, but overloading the appliance with too many items can actually result in them being damper and more creased," explains Polya Petrova, an appliance and cleaning professional at Fantastic Services.

"This won’t only make the drying time longer, but you’ll also need to do more ironing afterwards," she adds.

4. Hanging laundry over bannisters and doors

Aside from filling a room with airers, most homeowners won't have the space indoors to be able to hang their washing to dry effectively. And that's where common laundry drying mistakes arise because we resort to using doors and bannisters.

"Whilst doors and bannisters may seem like a practical, cost-effective solution to drying bedding and laundry, this could be causing detrimental damage to your property," warns Paul Strong, the store operations Manager at Magnet Trade.

Whilst your wooden bannisters may seem like the perfect additional airer, using them for such a task can cause your home more damage than it's worth.

"Placing wet washing onto wooden surfaces could lead to long-term structural damage. Wood is an extremely porous material so when wet laundry is left on it, especially repeatedly, the wood can warp and even rot over time," explains Paul.

It's not just wood rot that can come from drying your clothes in these places, there's also the issue of mould growth over time. Paul says that wet wood is a breeding ground for mould growth as moisture can get trapped between the wet fabric and the wood surface. Your bannister just became one of the unexpected places you can find mould in your home.

5. Using radiators

"On the topic of mould, drying laundry on radiators should also be avoided," says Paul. "Drying clothes on your radiators will trap moisture against your walls, promoting mould growth."

Cramming your clothes onto a radiator or layering them on top of one another will also make your clothes smell damp as it slows down their drying process.

Not filling radiators with wet clothes is also an expert tip for saving energy around the home because it is an inefficient use of heating.

6. Not using a dehumidifier

Dehumidifiers are good for drying clothes, which is one of the many benefits of using a dehumidifier in winter.

We couldn't recommend anything else more than buying one of the best dehumidifiers to help you dry clothes. Whilst there are some fab dehumidifiers for your bathroom and other rooms specifically, they're great at helping dry your laundry without hiking up your energy bills.

Gwilym Snook, heated laundry expert at ao.com, recommends this as the best way to dry your clothes.

"The best method to dry your clothes indoors is to place your fabrics on a drying rack and pop your dehumidifier on. Since your dehumidifier pulls moisture from the air and prevents this from setting in the room, this will make drying your clothes far easier, particularly helpful in the colder months," says Gwilym.

7. Using hot air, rather than cool

When drying clothes indoors during winter, you would automatically assume hot air would be more beneficial, right? Wrong, according to market-leading dehumidifier brand Meaco, which has shared new research from a series of controlled tests looking to speed up the process of drying laundry indoors.

After testing a wide range of methods, the brand has developed a surprisingly simple formula that reduces drying time from 20 hours to just 2, using a cooling fan.

The brand’s founder, Chris Michael, told us," Our aim with these tests was simple: show how airflow and humidity really behave in a normal home so households can make decisions that save both time and money.”

After repeated experiments, Chris and the team settled on a standout combination: pairing an energy-efficient dehumidifier with a cooling fan. Together, the two appliances simulate the conditions of an outdoor washing-line environment: warm, dry air with good airflow.

8. Placing your clothes in direct sunlight

In the same way, your houseplants can get sunburnt when left in direct sunlight, your clothes can also be damaged from it.

"While sunlight can help with natural disinfection and stain removal, it may also cause fading or damage to more delicate fabrics. Instead, hang them in a shaded area of your home that’s still warm or use a fabric-friendly, UV-blocking cover," advises Polya.

Even opting for a warm room that doesn't have direct sunlight in it will dry your clothes much quicker and without the risk of damage.

Should you be hesitant to buy a dehumidifier even after reading the expert's opinion, they're not just useful in winter. Actually, there are several reasons you should buy a dehumidifier in summer too, so you really will get your money out of the appliance.

Now you can dry your clothes indoors with ease why not try out some laundry room organisation ideas and get your space ready to tackle winter laundry with ease?

When washing your clothes the last thing you want is to damage them or shorten their lifespan. That's why we love finding hacks like this one that will keep your clothes fresh and rich in colour for longer.

While you might already know all the things you shouldn't put in your washing machine, knowing how to keep your darks dark might still be a mystery to you.

Expert cleaning hacks can make tasks like laundry so much easier and hassle-free. And this handy hack is not only extremely effective, it also only costs pennies.

Expert's top tip for keeping dark colours dark

Finding natural powerful cleaning agents that will work to minimise the effort and time needed for a task is the best way to clean your home quickly. It's the reason why so many cleaning experts love cleaning with vinegar.

This hack, from the Queen of Clean Lynsey Crombie, uses the deodorising cleaning power of salt to lock in the colours of your dark clothes.

"Did you know that adding salt to your dark laundry can help lock in the colour, prevent colour run, AND stop fading?" Lynsey explains enthusiastically.

If you're finding that your black jeans are looking more grey these days it could be the wash cycle that might be diluting their colour. Even when you've been avoiding laundry mistakes, darks losing their colour is very common.

Lynsey's genius hack consists of taking an egg cup amount of regular table salt and putting it in your washing machine drum before you throw your dark clothes in.

The reason salt is great for keeping your dark clothes dark is due to the chlorides that are present in it. Salt is also a strong deodoriser and stain remover so using the cleaning agent with your laundry is great for several reasons.

Lynsey doesn't just stop with the washing advice, she also shares a bonus tip for drying your dark-coloured clothes.

She says, "When drying your dark clothes, choose a shady spot—sunlight can fade those beautiful deep tones!"

Even when you're drying your clothes indoors this winter, make sure your darks aren't sitting in the sun and use a heated airer for a heat source instead.

Shop our favourite laundry products

While making changes to your laundry routine it can be a good idea to try out some laundry room organisation tips. This way you can store all of your washing products, like table salt, together and never forget that step when cleaning your dark clothes.

The humble ceiling airer is not new, but it has seemingly been forgotten in recent years. However, my elevated clothes airer is an absolute saviour when it comes to drying laundry indoors, so I'm raising awareness to make it a must-have space-saving staple once again.

Traditional pulley ceiling clothes airers – also known as Clothes Maids or Kitchen Maids – date way back to the late eighteenth century but have become somewhat obsolete in modern households, perhaps reserved only for country homes and laundry rooms. But I truly believe this ingenious contraption has a place in every home to aid with drying clothes indoors, especially in smaller homes where space is at a premium.

Here's why I think elevated drying racks are a worthwhile investment ahead of the winter months, to help with laundry you can no longer dry outside in the sunshine.

Why I think every home should have a ceiling clothes airer

Drying laundry indoors is an inevitable fate once the autumn and winter months arrive, and while the best heated clothes airers are unbeatable in terms of quick drying results there's still such high value in having a traditional clothes airer on hand to lighten the laundry load.

I have a floor-standing clothes airer that I use but the problem I encounter is how long the items have to be left out to dry during the colder months – even with the heating on or using a dehumidifier to help dry clothes. I live in a small home where space is premium, therefore finding ways to make rooms feel bigger is imperative. That's where a ceiling-mounted clothes airer is game-changing.

Having the ability to lift the clothes up and out of the way to free up floor space is invaluable in making a small room feel bigger.

Consider it also as a cheap alternative, no costs of running a heated clothes airer or tumble dryer. And because heat rises it's the most logical place to dry laundry indoors.

When I viewed my flat there was a ceiling clothes airer in the kitchen which I was pleasantly surprised by – in a way feeling as though I had discovered a secret space-saving solution. However, when I moved it I was disheartened to discover that the previous owner had taken it with them. So I made this the first thing I ordered for my new home, and I literally couldn't envision how I'd ever manage without it.

Where should you put a ceiling clothes airer?

The most traditional place is a laundry room, particularly handy as a small laundry room idea. But for those without a laundry room, the kitchen is the most obvious place to put a ceiling clothes airer for easy access to the washing machine. It's also a room that is often warmer due to the surplus heat provided by the many appliances and the oven.

But it is worth considering what you are cooking to ensure there are no cooking smells that could linger on your freshly laundered items hanging out to dry.

However, any space is potentially suitable – I have been told of friends who have a ceiling clothes airer in their stairwell to utilise space. Ultimately you want to place the airer in the most convenient space and one that is warm and well-ventilated, one that doesn't have a problem with humidity because it will not help your clothes to dry.

Look for ways to reduce humidity levels in your home to eliminate any potential issues.

Most pulley clothes airers are compatible with any ceiling, but there are less permanent 'elevated' rack solutions that can still help to free up space and make use of alternative drying methods.

With small space solutions being more popular than ever with most retailers there are always new, innovative laundry drying accessories. Here are just a few that I think are the most helpful for helping to streamline homes while drying clothes indoors.

More smart buys to help dry laundry in small spaces

Working on Country Homes & Interiors for years meant I frequently visited stunning country houses where this laundry accessory was often commonplace. But there's a misconception that you need to have a country-style kitchen trend or a dedicated laundry room to warrant having a ceiling clothes airer in your home. You don't, this simple drying accessory is ideal for homes and all styles, shapes and sizes.

The only common thread is a desire to dry clothes more efficiently indoors.

Even if you’re fortunate enough to have a room specifically allocated to laundry you might still find it challenging to keep it somewhat ordered and functional. With the weekly load of washing loaming over you, having tips and tricks to help keep the space streamlined will make a world of difference.

No matter how much space you have, knowing mindful home organisation ideas to make your laundry room more efficient will stop you from feeling overwhelmed by any amount of laundry. Every small laundry room idea ensuring that space stays ordered and peaceful will stop that feeling of dread creeping up every time you think of putting a load on.

From creating practical folding stations to choosing the right storage compartments, these simple ideas for organising a laundry room offer easy ways of creating order when doing chores. 

Laundry room organisation ideas: 10 expert tips

Thoughtful laundry room organisation ideas are all you need to maintain order when tending to household chores, to avoid common laundry mistakes that can make a house untidy.

Whether you are a daily washer or have a designated washing day, being overwhelmed by piles of laundry in a busy family home is a common occurrence. These small-space organisation solutions can help in keeping laundry rooms looking chic rather than chaotic. 

1. Keep it simple

One error that can easily be made when trying to be super efficient and organised is trying to make a small space too multi-functional by cramming lots into it. Just keep it simple. Decluttering is key to any successfully organized space.

A laundry room should be used for just that and nothing else, according to Marie Mandeville from Tailor My Space, a professional organising company. 

“Only keep laundry room-related items in the laundry room,” says Marie. “If you don’t have the space, don’t try and create it. For example, if your laundry room is not large enough to fold clothes once they are dry go ahead and take them out of the space.”

2. Get into a good routine

Whether washing your bed sheets or washing your towels setting alarms to remind you when the laundry is done being washed and then dried, will set your focus on finishing the job at hand. Folding the laundry right then and there in your laundry room and putting it straight away, prevents letting it gather in neverending piles that make the space feel less organised.  

“When you go to start a load of laundry, aim to be committed to the task until it is finished – meaning all the clothes are put away,” says Christina Colas from professional organising company Abundant Organizing.

“Having a routine for your laundry and a system for doing it from start to finish - with all the clothes being put away in their place - is what gets you to the finish line and keeps your laundry room organised.”

3. Label laundry essentials

Labels are the unsung hero of any organised laundry room, similar to an organised pantry, whether it be for the laundry bins or the laundry detergent jars.

Making it clear about what goes where means that everyone in the household knows where their laundry is supposed to be deposited. Then the organization becomes a shared responsibility, rather than the onus landing on one person’s shoulders. 

“Clearly label the bins that are designated for sorting so everyone who brings laundry to the laundry room can sort dirty laundry,” says Michele Vig from full-service organisational solution company Neat Little Nest. "This also means that anyone in the family can throw in a load of laundry when a sorting bin gets full."

4. Choose a laundry solution with compartments

Separating the white clothes from colours or delicates from the everyday cotton before they even reach the machine should be the first step in keeping the laundry organised. 

“Choose a location for dirty laundry and start the sorting process before you even start the laundry washing process,” says Christina. “A four-section laundry sorter is a great option allowing you to sort darks, lights, towels, and delicates. Then it can be rolled up to the washer when it's time to wash.” 

5. Designate an area for folding

Carve out room for a dedicated 'folding station'. Adding a shelf to your space or designating a surface specifically for folding laundry can be a game-changer when it comes to keeping a laundry organised according to Christina. 

“The best way to keep a laundry room organised is to follow through with a routine which involves folding any laundry that needs to be folded and then putting all away," Christina explains. This accessible area makes drying clothes indoors easier to deal with.

"If you have a designated area for folding laundry in your laundry room, then you can immediately fold it as soon as you take clothes out of the dryer or off a clothes rack. If you tend to hang a lot of your clothes, then have extra hangers so that you can quickly transition the clothes from the laundry room to the closet.”

Additionally keeping a counter clear makes the space less crowded, similar to how keeping counters clear in a small kitchen makes it feel bigger.

6. Introduce a zone for ironing

As an incentive to get the job done from start to finish, one of the first rules of keeping a laundry tidy and organised, consider keeping an iron and ironing board close to hand.

Doing so means clothes can be taken straight from the dryer or airer and be pressed ready to be transferred into your closet, rather than hanging around the laundry waiting for the magical ironing fairy to come along and sort it out.  

“Storing the iron and ironing board in the laundry room is always a good idea,” says Christina. “Find a spot to hang it that is easily accessible but frees up space when not in use.” Vertical wall space can also be used to hang lint rollers, scissors, and all those other utility/cleaning items. Using a pegboard for versatility or a good command hook always gets the job done.

7. Add storage cabinets

No matter how organised you can try to be in a laundry room, if all your dirty washing and boxes of detergent are on display it can look like a cluttered space again very quickly. The same applies to even the most organised of kitchens. “I like plenty of cabinets because it is a great way to not see what's in the space," says Marie. 

Like organised kitchen cupboards not only can they hide detergents, soap, and personal items such as underwear that you would rather your granny didn’t have to see but if your laundry machines are in an open space such as your kitchen, it is perfect for hiding them away and creating a mess-free, functional zone.

8. Incorporate a drying rack

Incorporating a fold-away drying rack directly with the room means that freshly washed laundry doesn't spill out into other rooms. Laundry is contained in one dedicated space to ensure the rest of the house isn't left looking untidy while your laundry is drying. Maybe consider using a dehumidifier to help dry laundry quicker.

Having a wall-mounted rack or a clothesmaid that is elevated out of the way ensures that once the laundry is dry you can minimise the impact of the drying rack on the concise organisation levels of your laundry room.

Of course, one of the best heated clothes airers is always a good idea, and you'll be surprised by how much it costs to run a heated clothes airer – before that puts you off.

9. Cut out the clutter

More ‘stuff’ means more work for you to do in the laundry to keep it looking organised. Trying to put an organisation plan into place when you can’t see the wood for the trees – or the washing basket for the laundry in this case – is tough.

Use the time you are spending on clothes washing and sorting to regularly declutter clothes items and throw away anything that no longer serves you. 

“Don’t forget to part ways with anything that is stained or tattered. This allows you to make room for what you actually will use,’ says Christina. “The less you have to maintain, the easier it is to maintain. By simplifying your spaces, it means you are therefore simplifying your life.”

10. Install a laundry chute

If there's enough budget then consider reconfiguring your whole approach to your existing laundry room. By building a laundry chute from a bathroom or landing area, clothes, and linens can be sent down and landed straight in the laundry room. 

It cuts out the time and helps everyone keep on top of their dirty items, rather than finding odd socks under the bed. “My ideal laundry would be two sets of washers and dryers, a counter for folding, and a laundry chute from the hallway,” says Marie. 

FAQs

How do you maximise space in a laundry room?

Taking on board organisational tips to make your space work smarter and harder for you, and staying on top of the washing workload, means you don’t necessarily need to have a huge laundry to make it work. 

“The best way to maximize your laundry space is to have clear zones for sorting, washing, drying and to do your laundry regularly so it doesn’t pile up and become overwhelming," suggests Michele. 

"Having too much dirty laundry in the laundry room or having clean clothes in baskets, but not putting away leads to a lot of the clutter that is found in laundry rooms today." Incorporate your laundry into daily habits to keep your house clean and tidy.

How can I make my laundry room more functional?

There are hundreds of products on the market that promise to offer the perfect transformational solution to help you organise your space. But Michele says instead of spending money on fancy new items, keep it simple and instead consider where you are locating things to make the space work better for you.

“The top things to improve function in a laundry room are a counter for folding, sorting bins to put dirty laundry, a shelf/cabinet near the washer and dryer to store laundry care items, and a place to hang clean clothes,” Michele suggests.

How do you organise towels in a laundry room?

Making your laundry and linen closet look hotel-ready can be deeply satisfying, the same as making your bedroom feel like a luxury hotel. And there is a simple special knack to organising bundles of fresh fluffy towels straight out of the dryer, that can help you achieve this, says professional organiser Marie Mandeville from Tailor My Space. See our expert advice on how to soften towels to ensure they are ultra-fluffy.

“Find one fold and fold them all the same way,” she says. Thankfully you don’t have to be perfect at this to get the desired result, there is another way; “Think bins. This is a great way to store linens that are not perfectly folded.”

Once your laundry room is organised, why not try some kitchen organisation ideas and transform your countertops? Knowing how to organise your kitchen counters can mean more space for cooking and your space can look so much bigger too.

Generally, we keep our laundry baskets tucked in the corner out of the way, in the bedroom or bathroom, or perhaps on the landing. And we never really think about whether there might be a better place for them to go.

We are always looking for home organisation ideas to make our homes more functional, and any way to streamline our laundry routines is bound to help keep our houses clean and tidy.

So we turned to professional home organisers for their advice for a more seamless laundry day, and they had a "more is more" approach when it comes to where to keep this everyday essential.

The surprising place you should keep your laundry basket

The surprising place you should keep your laundry basket, according to our team of experts, is in any room where you get changed.

This might mean having one in the bathroom and one in the bedroom, as well as having individual laundry baskets in any children's rooms. Having a laundry hamper right there as we undress makes for the path of least resistance, and means the likelihood of piles of dirty clothes is, hopefully, significantly reduced.

Where you get changed

"The laundry basket should be stored where you remove your clothes," says home organiser and founder of The Simplified Island, Caroline Roberts. "You want the least resistance possible when it comes to putting dirty clothes away, so if you can take off clothes and immediately drop them in the hamper, then they are much less likely to end up on the floor."

It's also a good idea to invest in a foldable, portable basket, at Wayfair, for taking the washing to and from the machine without losing socks along the way. These are lightweight and fold down easily when not in use, so they don't take up too much space.

For better habits

You can also use your laundry basket placement to instil better, tidier habits. Home decluttering expert Helen Sanderson explains: "For example, if your basket is near the washing machine, but instead of making it there, your clothes tend to pile up in the bedroom, relocate the basket to the bedroom and help keep your laundry contained. 

"On the other hand, if your basket is in the bedroom and you are good at putting clothes in it, but they just sit there and don’t get washed, move the basket close to the washing machine, making the journey into the machine simpler and so more likely."

For kids

Cleaning expert Lindsay from Dazlin Cleaning says laundry baskets should always go in the bathroom where you are planning on showering or bathing. "However, I think a great way of making kids more independent is to give them their own basket in their room to save clothing from being left on the floor," she says. "It’s worked in our house!"

Home organiser Ema Di Monte from Pretty Damned Organised agrees and says that not only does it help to keep kids' bedrooms tidy, but it also teaches children from a young age that everything has a place. Plus, it helps the parent to organise a laundry day for each child. So you can avoid having all the clothes mixed together and you won't have to check each item to see to which child they belong – especially helpful when it comes to socks.

Whether there are kids around or not, home organiser Laura Price recommends having a laundry basket in both the bedroom and the bathroom, to contain dirty clothes and keep things neat. "The only exception is ensuites where you only need a basket in either the bedroom or ensuite," she says.

Can you put your laundry basket in a wardrobe?

"If you have the space, why not? But only if you have the space," says home organiser Laura Price. "Wardrobes are prime real estate and having a laundry basket outside of your wardrobe isn’t the end of the world." After all, it's hard enough to organise a small closet with a lot of clothes without adding a laundry basket into the mix.

How do you keep on top of laundry?

Laundry can feel never-ending, but it can be helpful to have designated laundry days and to do smaller loads more often to prevent it from piling up. Cleaning your  washing machine regularly will also prevent mould build-up or any unpleasant odours.

"If you live alone, you should dedicate a day where you prioritize laundry as your top cleaning task. If you have a family, having kids and partners take turns on who does laundry for the week also helps reduce the chore load for one person," says Haven Polich, laundry expert and ASKO product manager.

"Teaching children to properly wash, dry and fold their clothes is a valuable life lesson that will benefit them in the future. If they prefer to wash their own clothes, create a schedule that works for everybody to determine who gets to do laundry on what day."

How can I keep my laundry space organised?

"The most important factor when organising a laundry space is to make sure the most-used items are the most accessible," says professional home organiser Caroline Roberts. "Many laundry spaces have hard-to-reach shelves, so those are perfect for the less-used items.

"In my laundry space, the detergent, stain remover, and mesh lingerie bag are front and centre, while the lint brush, camp laundry bags, and sweater shaver are toward the back."

In all of life's uncertainty, one thing can be counted on: somewhere there's a pile of laundry requiring attention. There are differing opinions about things like the best time of day to do laundry and how often you should wash your bed sheets, but we can all agree that it's hard to keep on top of, no matter the size of our household. 

Plus, the whole laundry process can make our homes look messy. From piles of folded clothes waiting to be put away making a mockery of beautifully decluttered bedrooms, to half-dried bed sheets hanging over doorframes, laundry has a sneaky habit of taking over.

We asked professional home organisers what common mistakes people make that end up making our homes unnecessarily untidy. Below, they share simple but effective ways to streamline our laundry routines once and for all.

Laundry mistakes making your home untidy

Whether you have a small laundry room for completing laundry tasks in away from the rest of the house, or have the washing machine in the kitchen, avoid these missteps for a tidier home.

1. Not having a heated rack

"One of the most common laundry mistakes is not having a heated drying rack, even if you have a tumble dryer," says professional home organiser Laura Price. "Heated drying racks are a game changer when it comes to streamlining your drying. The quicker your clothes dry, the quicker they can be put away and your home is tidy and clear of washing again."

The best-heated clothes airers are inexpensive to run and stop a drying rack of damp clothes from becoming a permanent fixture in the living room, a worthwhile investment.

2. Too many laundry products

Laura Price also says we have a habit of overcomplicating things with too many stain removers and laundry detergents cluttering up the space under the kitchen sink.

"There are so many laundry products out there and we can end up with an unnecessarily large collection of seemingly 'different' products that all end up doing the same thing," she says. "Try to reduce the amount of products you have to keep your laundry space tidy. If you have more than one of the same product, it’s time to run it down and throw it away."

The fewer products we have, the easier it is to keep a laundry room organised and under the kitchen sink organised too.

3. Not having a schedule

According to the professional home organiser and founder of Pretty Damned Organised, Ema Di Monte, we can't possibly have a tidy home without a dedicated 'laundry day'. So if you're currently winging it, consider making it more of a scheduled routine. Adopting small daily habits can help to keep the house clean.

"I always recommend having designated days for laundry and folding or ironing – personally, I iron on Sunday evenings while listening to a podcast, and I do washing on Wednesday and Saturday," she says. "Do the laundry in small batches to make it easier to manage and assign specific days for each family member's laundry, making it easier to keep track of."

Another tip Ema shares is to involve other family members, perhaps pairing socks while watching TV together.

4. Washing too frequently

While we always want our clothes to feel fresh and clean when we put them on in the morning, we can probably afford not to wash them quite as frequently as we do. APDO member and founder of Tidy Happy Calm, Kate Yiannacou points out that if we can get into the habit of wearing an item one more time, this can help prevent the laundry from piles from snowballing.

"Controversial one – consider how much you really need to wash items, as washing clothes after every single wear is going to create a lot of laundry," says Kate. "A good tip for the winter is to wear a thin layer under a thick jumper so that you only really need to wash the thin item that has been next to your skin, not the heavy jumper that is going to take ages to dry and clog up your laundry process."

This method doesn't apply when it comes to considering how often to wash your sheets or how often to wash your towels for obvious hygiene reasons.

Kate also suggests using spot-cleaning techniques to avoid having to fully wash items that aren’t very dirty so you can get them back into your wardrobe more quickly. You can also refresh clothing with byMatters Another Day fabric spray, which removes odours and cleans fabrics between washes.

5. Leaving the job unfinished

"One of the biggest laundry mistakes is believing you have to live with laundry taking over your house, leaving you spending days looking at hanging clothes and piles all over the place," begins clutter expert Helen Sanderson. 

"This is down to what I would define as a failure to complete the full "laundry cycle". This usually means that items end up dried, but not folded; or folded, but not put away. 

"Commit to my mantra: complete, complete, complete and you will reap the benefits of not having piles of laundry everywhere," says Helen. She says it's common to skip the putting away task and wear things from the hanging rail, leaving our stuffed wardrobes redundant. Similar to finding the motivation to declutter it's often the thought of spending time doing laundry that feels worse than the task itself.

But Helen encourages us to commit to focusing our energy on getting things washed, dried, and folded (and ironed if we choose) and back in their rightful home in dedicated drawers and cupboards in a set period of time. 

'Not everyone is a completer-finisher, but if you change your mindset and manage your laundry routine better, you can use it as a mindfulness practice where the ultimate reward is a clearer, more organised space,' she explains.

What are the best products for streamlining laundry?

"If you’re tight for floor space, a ceiling airer, at Lakeland. can be a good option to get things out of the way as they dry, since heat rises they stand more chance of being warmer and so dry quicker up high," says home organiser Kate Yiannacou.

Cleaning expert Lindsay from Dazlin Cleaning recommends investing in one of the best dehumidifiers. "Not everyone has the luxury of space for a tumble dryer, so using a dehumidifier on a timer or heated airer will speed up drying time so you won’t have laundry hanging around for days on end. It's also energy efficient and cheap to run" she says.

Remember to clean your washing machine regularly to keep it running smoothly, too. Products like this Dettol washing machine cleaner, at Amazon, can do a lot of the hard work for you.

Heated airers, often called heated clothes dryers too, are a quick and cost-effective way of drying your clothes. If you're looking for the best one, there's just one factor you need to make your mind up on and then I've got the easy answer for the one that suits you.

Every home will have a different drying demand, but I promise that there's a heated airer that will meet yours. Tiered airers are some of the most space and cost-efficient ways to dry your clothes indoors whilst ladder airers are really effective for towels and smaller tasks. Then there are winged-airers (a compact godsend for drying sheets) and heated hangers, which are made for travelling, but they’re my secret to drying delicates and cashmere quickly.

Once you know what kind of drying you'll be doing, the choice is easy. I've tested the best heated airers, from the likes of John Lewis, Dry:Soon, Dunelm, Beldray, and Aldi in all seasons. The one that I've settled on as the best of all time if the trusty Dry:Soon 3-Tier Heated Airer. It's perfect for a family and, when I ran the numbers on the costs of running a heated clothes airer, it came out on top. Whatever you’re after, I’ve got all the nitty gritty details below, written with my warmest wishes for your wardrobe.

The best heated airers: tried and tested

If you want the headlines on the six best heated clothes airers on the market, look no further. I've condensed all my weeks of testing into a quick summary for you. Then, if there's one that piques your interest, you can read more details further down the article.

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Best heated clothes airer overall

If you've already started your research into the best heated clothes airers on the market, you'll have come across the Dry:Soon 3-Tier model again, and again, and again. It's famously good. And even though it's one of the most expensive models on the market, it's worth the investment.

The Dry:Soon can hold up to 15kgs of laundry, but you wouldn't know it from how much floor space that this takes up. The space that it needs is more vertical than horizontal and, even then, it didn't feel obtrusive in my urban flat. When you choose to flatten it, this is only 8cm deep and can slot inside a cupboard or at the back of a wardrobe.

I actually ended up buying one last year and have used mine through each season, because it dries clothes so quickly, efficiently, and cheaply, it's hard to want anything else. You can adapt the shelves to choose to hang shirts alongside what is effectively a hot wall, or even lie delicate cashmere jumpers flat on each shelf. It's wonderfully versatile.

I've done a week's worth of washing (12 kgs) and drying in a day with the Dry:Soon and it only cost me £1.20. That's with 12 hours running (it's 10p per hour), which is significantly cheaper and much more gentle on clothes.

The only downside of the Dry:Soon is that it's also the most expensive heated clothes airer on the market. You can opt for the regular version, but you'll only save about £50 and the Deluxe has a lot more to offer. It's quicker, sturdier, and has some neat features integrated: you can store your plug in a special clip, the control panel lets you set an auto-switch-off. In short, it's worth the splurge.

You can find out more in my full Dry:Soon 3-Tier Heated Airer review.

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Best ladder heated clothes airer

Tall heated airers aren't the most helpful when it comes to saving space and money, unless you can find yourself an A-Frame model like this one. At just £100, it's an absolute steal, especially when you consider that there's room to dry almost 15 kgs of clothing (the same as the Dry:Soon above) as well as shoes and gloves on the special holders at the bottom of the rack.

After using the Dunelm in my home I'm sceptical that this could rival the Dry:Soon's capacity and drying speed, but think of this as 1/3 less spacious and 1/3 slower and a lot cheaper. If you don't mind those compromises, this is amazing.

I put jeans, towels, and heavy jumpers on the Dunelm and they were dry and ready to go in the cupboard in five hours. If you have a family of three or four, this has plenty to offer. You just need to make sure that you hang clothes from the inside out, otherwise, it can topple.

Unsurprisingly, this budget option does come up a little basic in places. There are no auto-shut-off settings, so you can only turn the airer on and off. The 1.85m cable length also comes up a little short if you've not got lots of plugs around the house.

You can find out more in my full Dunelm A Frame Heated Airer review.

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Best budget heated clothes airer

Aldi's viral Ambiano Heated Airer stole the show for this style of clothes drying, but I actually prefer Beldray's. It's an inexpensive upgrade from Aldi's simplistic design. It's easier to fold away, the controls are more trustworthy, it feels more robust, and I found it dried my clothes a touch quicker.

I always end up recommending this to people who live in small spaces, because it packs to being just 8cm deep. That's slim enough for a cupboard, under a bed, or just about anywhere. Even though it's compact, the Beldray folds out to offer 15 kgs of space for drying, which is the most that I've seen any heated airer offer, even tower models.

The rubber feet help to keep this stable on the floor, though you'll need to load it from the inside out. I found it easy to hang my clothes off and, even with my boisterous dog bumping up against it, this stayed flat on the floor.

With a full load, this took six hours to get all of my clothes cupboard dry. It's faster than air drying and costs 8p per hour to run. Compared to the other models on this list, Beldray takes a low and slow approach, so it's one to go for if you don't mind adding another hour to your drying demands.

You can find out more in my full Beldray Winged Heated Electric Clothes Airer review.

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Best portable heated clothes airer

When I first saw heated clothes airer hangers coming to the market, I'll admit that I was sceptical. They look like gimmicks, but I've actually ended up using this to support my Dry:Soon Heated Airer every week and it's saved me from some serious squeezes. I dried my soaking wet trainers in just over an hour; took a lot of dampness out of a hand-washed wool jumper (so it didn't smell stale); and emergency-dried a shirt in 40 minutes.

The Aerative works a lot like the pod airer. You set it running and it blows hot air through whatever you choose to hang off the two hooks. These can be positioned like a normal clothes hanger, or to sit in shoes, so you have to dry clothes item by item, but that's why it's great for travelling or emergencies.

Everything from the packaging to the storage bag for the Aerative feels premium. It comes with pegs for drying delicates and a velvet storage bag. This isn't the cheapest way to dry clothes when you consider that it works one item at a time, but the sheer speed and size of it make up for any inconveniences. I can't recommend it enough.

You can read more in my full Aerative Heated Clothes Airer Hanger review.

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Best heated clothes airer pod

Pod heated airers might look a little strange, but they're really useful for very specific needs. Rather than using heated rails, this has arms which are designed to hold hangers with damp clothes on them. It was easy enough to put together, but it does come almost completely disassembled, which means it might not be the right option for those who want something that’s ready to use straight out of the box.

The cover of this airer (which must be used) looks a bit intimidating but is actually very simple to fold around your hanging items. After this, the machine is switched on and the fan heater comes on, circulating hot air around your encased laundry. Because of this, this airer emits a hairdryer-like sound, which is something the majority of heated airers with hot rails don’t. It also means that this costs 30p, rather than 1-10p to run.

There are six settings on the machine that allow you to customise your drying time, which I found very useful to guarantee it doesn't stay running if I get distracted with other jobs. I got some heavy jumpers and jeans dry in three hours, so you don't need to run it for long, which is great news, because the noise isn't ideal. Putting it up is fiddly, but once it's working, this is a great option for small spaces.

You can find out more in my full Dry:Soon Drying Pod Heated Airer review.

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Best heated clothes airer for small spaces

I'll be upfront here, the Dry:Soon Heated Ladder Airer isn't going to replace your tumble dryer or a big tower heated airer, but it will be a useful addition to any small spaces, such as a bathroom or overloaded laundry room. The low, slim design is perfect for taking the dampness out of your towels without you needing to turn the central heating on. It costs pennies to run and I got all my damp towels (after a shower or bath) toasty and warm on the six 50°C bars.

Six bars sound like a lot, but you'll need to leave space if you want your clothes to dry quickly. The control panel let me set a 2 and 4-hour timer, but I found that if I filled all the bars, the clothes or towels needed five hours, which meant that I had to remember to come back to the heated airer to turn it on.

So, as a small supplement for compact spaces, the slim heated ladder is a brilliant investment, just know that you'll probably need a bigger, main source for drying too.

You can read more in my full Dry:Soon Heated Ladder Airer review

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The ones that just missed the list

I've told you that I tested more than six to make this list and, whilst the decision making was relatively easy, there were a few heated airers that only just missed placing on the roundup. These aren't as stand-out as the six above, but they're still worth considering if you haven't quite found what you're after yet.

How we test heated clothes airers

I've been leading our tests of the best heated clothes airers over at woman&home and, let me tell you, it's serious business. Before I even start thinking about putting a laundry load in, I do my research. I keep on top of the latest releases on the market, whilst also keeping an eye on the old-but-gold models that everyone talks about.

I make sure any model I see all the models that would suit your home. Then, I test them. To get a formal review, I use a heated airer for months, because this is the best way to find any teething issues and day-to-day gripes with the airer. I make notes on everything from unboxing and setting up right through to storage and how much it costs to run, so that you know exactly what you're signing up for.

Most importantly, I have three tests that each heated airer has to pass. I do a light load (3-5kgs), medium load (6-10kgs) and a heavy load (10-15kgs) of washing. This will cover a range of fabrics, from denim to cotton and then I'll time how long it takes to dry the clothes. I'll use each airer with and without a cover, looking for ways to save money and speed up drying times, because nobody wants to leave one of these on display in their home.

After that, I measure how big the heated clothes airer is, how deep it is, and how you can store it. Most of the time that this is in your home, it'll be in storage, so it needs to be neat and compact, to keep your home clutter free.

Whilst I'm using the airer, I'm making comparisons in my head between the different models. In our reviews, I take the opportunity to get this down in writing. I like to pick a couple of models that are either a little more expensive or a little cheaper. That way, I can place the heated airer in the market for you and you'll be able to tell whether you're getting good value for money, as well as whether you'd like to upgrade.

After all that, I'll come to my conclusion and answer 'should you buy it?' Not every heated airer suits every home, so I give guidance as to who the heated airer suits as well as where you could go if you wanted something else.

If you want to find out more, you can read all about how we test heated clothes airers over here.

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FAQs

Are heated airers worth the money?

There's no escaping the fact that heated airers cost more than their non-heated counterparts. That's why it's sensible to consider whether stumping up the money for the more expensive option is worth it.

As someone who has recently been converted over to the heated airer club, I have to say that I think they're worth the money. I've run the maths on how much heated airers cost to run (pennies), what they're like to store (no tricker than a non-heated model), and the effect that they have on my clothes (they're more gentle than tumble dryers). The fact that some of the best heated clothes airers cost only £40 means that you don't even have to splurge too much to get the benefits of these handy home accessories. It's a no-brainer.

Do heated clothes airers use a lot of electricity?

Heated clothes airers inevitably use some electricity – however, it's probably not as much as you think, as heating expert Peter Clayton from Trade Plumbing explains.

"On average, a heated clothes airer runs at 300 watts, which is 0.3 kW per hour when based on the 27p/kWh energy price cap that's a cost of £0.08 per hour. Drying clothes using a heated airer can take roughly 4-8 hours per 10kg load, thus consuming anything from £0.32 to £0.64," he says.

To put this into context with your other household appliances, running your washing machine once will generally cost you around 26p while running a dishwasher cycle will likely set you back between 51p-£1. So in comparison, a heated clothes airer uses a fairly minimal amount of electricity – and considering the benefits it’ll provide, it tends to be well worth the extra electricity usage for many households.

Should I use a heated clothes airer or a dehumidifier to dry my clothes indoors?

Dehumidifiers are bigger, bulkier, and louder than most heated airers and their main job isn't drying laundry. For that reason, as long as you don't have damp issues, I would always opt for a heated clothes airer instead of a dehumidifier. However, that doesn't mean that you can't use dehumidifiers to dry laundry, especially over the winter.

The best dehumidifiers work well in rooms where the air is already damp. Even though they're generally slower than heated airers, they will be more effective in damp laundry rooms than a heated airer and they'll ensure that the air doesn't get too oppressive. Before you switch your airer for a dehumidifier, you might want to take a look at how much it costs to run a dehumidifier. They're not generally expensive, but it will depend on your model.

Is it cheaper to run a tumble dryer or heated airer?

Tumble dryers are undoubtedly a very speedy and effective way of drying laundry, and are often even quicker than using a heated airer. However, when it comes to the expense of using both appliances, there’s a clear winner, both in terms of the initial purchase cost, and the running costs. Heated airers will cost between 7-10p per hour to run, whereas tumble dryers will need 1.8 kW to 5 kW meaning there is a potential for tumble dryers to cost £1.35 per 1 hour load of laundry.

If you're going away on holiday, using your tumble dryer may be worth the extra expense. But overall, heated airers will cost you far less to run, even if they do take that little bit longer to dry your laundry.

Can I leave a heated airer on overnight?

If you ask the experts, they'll generally recommend that you don't leave a heated airer on overnight. It's always better to err on the side of caution. However, there are some models that are set with overnight functions and automatic shut-offs that make these safe to leave running in the background.

Do I need a cover for my heated clothes airer?

Some heated airers come with covers, others don't. Whilst these can be useful for speeding up the drying time of your clothes, you might be weighing up whether you want to splash another £20 on a piece of fabric that might only shave a few minutes off your clothes drying. I don't use my cover every time that I dry clothes. It can take thirty minutes off drying a load of washing, but that's the most that you'll save.

Do heated clothes airers cause condensation?

Washing your clothes will add a lot of moisture into the air in your home environment, so it's likely that your heated airer will speed up the rate at which you see condensation on your windows. This isn't any worse than if you were using a normal clothes airer, so don't worry.

Final thoughts

Heated clothes airers bring plenty of benefits to your home, especially around the winter. Your clothes won't sit damp and stale for days, instead, they'll be as crisp and cupboard-dry as they were when you could hang them on the line. You don't need to put them through the aggressive (and expensive) tumble dryer. And your heated airer works using your vertical space, which would otherwise be empty. We're not even at my favourite part yet. The best heated airers don't even cost a lot of money to run. I calculated that some could dry your clothes for 7p. That's money well spent.

The one thing to note is that drying wet clothes inside can create some extra moisture, so you'l want to think about expert-approved methods of reducing humidity levels in your home or even the best plants to help with condensation.

If you have resigned yourself to the fact that there isn't space in your home to fit in a room dedicated to washing your clothes, our small laundry room ideas are here to prove you wrong. 

That said, good planning is essential from the outset to ensure that you select the optimum layout for the needs of your laundry room organisation ideas. 

The best way to do this is to outline all your objectives for the space and prioritise those that offer the biggest impact on your daily life. For example, if you also want to use the space as a mudroom then you’ll need to account for the associated plethora of dirty shoes, boots, and coats on top of the usual laundry needs. 

To take you a few steps closer to being the proud owner of a small yet highly useful laundry space, we’ve rounded up the best ideas to maximise space.

15 savvy small laundry room ideas

While laundry rooms are often ruled out by those tight on space, they are such useful areas and most definitely one of the interior design features that will help sell your house.

The secret to success lies in thorough planning and prioritisation. 

"When designing utility room layouts, prioritising functionality and organization is key," says Claire Garner, director of Claire Garner Interiors. "Start by assessing your storage needs and incorporating ample cabinets, shelves, and drawers to keep cleaning supplies, laundry essentials, and household items neatly organised and easily accessible."

The design and organisation experts at deVOL kitchens also believe it's an area worth investing in to get right, "We love that these spaces have become popular again in recent years; how wonderful to have somewhere dedicated to keeping you organised and the rest of your home uncluttered and simple."

With the help of our top tips and expert advice, there is no reason to let a little thing like space restrictions put you off. 

1. Think outside the box when it comes to location

If you don't have the space to dedicate an entire room to accommodate your laundry needs, you are going to have to get a little bit creative and look into how to organise a small space wisely.

"Finding space to fit a laundry room into a house involves assessing the flow and storage needs of the home to identify under-utilised areas such as cupboards, under stair spaces, or corners of larger rooms, such as the kitchen or bathroom," explains Molly Chandler, Designer at Willis & Stone. 

"These small, overlooked spaces can be repurposed into efficient and stylish laundry rooms with a bit of creative thinking."

In this space, which was designed by Claire Garner Interiors, the corner of a room has been sectioned off and is now home to an invaluable laundry space which also incorporates plenty of storage to ensure the main kitchen remains clutter-free. 

These Underground Parts Limited Rustic Solid Wood Wall Shelves from Amazon offer a similar look to the shelves here. 

2. Keep all the essentials to hand

Although the principle of the 'working triangle' in kitchen design might now seem a little dated, there is so much to be said for ensuring that practical spaces are laid out to be a joy to use. A poor layout is one of those laundry room mistakes to avoid at all costs. 

"Ensure efficient workflow by positioning appliances such as washing machines, dryers, and sinks in a logical arrangement, allowing for smooth transitions between tasks and maximise space efficiency by utilising vertical storage options such as wall-mounted racks or overhead cabinets," suggests Claire Garner. "Finally, don't overlook lighting; ensure adequate task lighting to illuminate work areas effectively."

This small, yet perfectly formed, laundry room manages to pack in all the essentials, including a deep sink for handwashing, plenty of storage and a built-in washing machine and dryer. 

Love stylish wall lights? Take a look at Pvczool Industrial Wall Sconce Lights from Amazon. 

3. Create the illusion of more space

Wondering how to make a small room look bigger? There are lots of clever ways to do this - so why not use them to make your laundry room somewhere to look forward to spending time in?

From keeping your wall colours fresh and light to maximising any natural light that the room receives, this is a space that should feel clean, airy and bright. A great way to do this is to use a large mirror as the splashback behind your work surfaces and sink - it really will make the room feel twice its real size. 

For an easy mirrored splashback, take a look at the BELOFAY Grey Tempered Glass Mirror Splashback from Amazon.

Of course, as well as looking great, this is a room that also needs to function brilliantly from a practical perspective. 

"Consider installing a countertop for folding clothes or sorting laundry, providing a dedicated workspace within the utility room and opt for durable and easy-to-clean materials for surfaces and flooring to withstand daily use," advises Claire Garner.

4. Declutter to create a sense of space

Decluttering will ensure your laundry feels more spacious and you’ll be far more productive in a room where you don’t have to clear space on the work surface before starting your chores. 

Decluttered laundry rooms needn’t feel sterile and empty; a stylish example of a perfectly organised laundry and boot room space is that of experienced home renovator Helen Pexton aka Instagram's @myconvertedcottage. 

Helen’s tips for planning a successful laundry space from scratch are to “plan, plan, plan and do lots of research,” she says, “Always try and have your own style and go with what you love”. 

If you’re looking for small laundry room ideas because you are tackling a revamp or makeover, then the sterling advice Lisa J Honiball, interior designer and founder of Interior Design Insiders shared with us will be invaluable.

 “In any room where space is restricted, your first step is to declutter and ‘re-home’ items. Much like the box bedroom, the laundry room can be prone to becoming a bit of a dumping ground,” says Lisa. 

“Does everything in your laundry room need to be there? Often you can find homes for items elsewhere in your house (or get rid of them completely if you are holding on to items you don’t need or use). 

5. Think vertically to maximise restricted space

 “Once you’ve decluttered - think vertically," advises Lisa. Vertical storage is the ideal way to make any small space feel bigger.

"Take cabinetry or shelving all the way up to the ceiling to make the most of all of the storage space available. And consider pegboards and hooks if you don’t have the depth for cabinetry.” All of which is invaluable advice when looking for small kitchen storage ideas.

Another top tip is to “Use every available space. If there is a small gap at the end of the cabinetry run, this could be perfect for storing your ironing board or drying rack,”  says Lisa.

Claire Roswell, a talented interior designer and founder of Mollins Antis Interiors, demonstrates how to incorporate stunning cabinetry and use all the available wall space with this practical and beautiful blue laundry room that she designed for a client. 

The open compartments, complete with stylish storage baskets, offer quick access to essential items whilst maintaining an organized and uncluttered aesthetic. 

6. Use open shelving and hanging pegs

Similar to organising a small kitchen open shelving is a great way to store essential items in your small laundry, in addition to making a style statement and elevating the feel of your space at the same time. 

Talented designer Nicola Ash, aka @loveallthingsquirky, shows us how it’s done in this stylish and supremely organised laundry area. 

The concealed storage is ideal for hiding those items you don’t want on display, whilst the hanging peg hooks perfectly display the more aesthetically pleasing laundry items while making good use of the over-counter wall space. 

You could store washing powder or pods in attractive glass jars on your open shelving combined with pretty pegs for the clothesline paired with items like a vase of fresh flowers to make you smile while you attend to chores.  

These Anchor Hocking Heritage Hill Storage Jars from Amazon come in a range of different sizes to suit all storage configurations.

7. Add essential task lighting

When space is tight and you’re considering small laundry room ideas, great lighting can save the day. Lots of natural light is ideal as it bounces around, making the area feel more spacious and appealing and will make completing your chosen tasks easier too. 

If your small laundry room doesn’t have windows, perhaps it's a converted cupboard or basement conversion, then you might need to get a bit creative.   

Designer and content creator Joanne Hardcastle aka @hardcastletowers knows a thing or two about interior design and used all her tricks and techniques on a basement conversion project complete with a laundry room area. Lots of storage and natural light pulled into the space through cleverly positioned roof lights are the real heroes. 

If natural light isn’t an option, recessed light fittings will help from a space perspective as flush to the wall or ceiling, but as always, layered lighting is the best way to get the most from a room – to avoid common lighting mistakes that can make the space feel less functional.

You’ll need some task lighting to ensure you can complete all your laundry-related chores effectively and some accent lighting, perhaps some pretty scones over an open shelf, will elevate the room's aesthetic  

8. Use storage baskets and containers

Grouping essential laundry items together and storing them in easy-access baskets or neatly labelled lidded containers is a great way to organize a small laundry room – similar to how you can pleasingly organise under a kitchen sink. 

You can opt for sustainable materials like these Orthex Group recycled plastic containers with bamboo lids or use natural materials like jute, rattan, and seagrass for a stylish and rustic look.

Labelling containers is one of those small laundry room ideas that saves time and means you don’t have to open several to find the product you need. 

Stacked containers with neat labels can add to the aesthetic by giving your small laundry room an expertly organised feel. These Cleaning Collection Contemporary Design Cleaning Sticky Labels from Amazon make it easy to organise in style. 

9. Install a fold-out ironing board in a drawer

Home renovator and content creator Trina Staunton, aka Instagram's @lifeasmrsbuilder, is a bit of an expert when it comes to designing beautiful yet functional interiors. 

Trina regularly shares her tips and tricks with her followers on social media. And whilst her whole home is crammed full of genius space-saving and super-functional design features when it comes to home organisation goals, her laundry room is arguably the pièce de résistance. 

Trina’s fold-out ironing board in a drawer is a standout feature as it solves the age-old problem of where to store the often cumbersome item when not in use. We recommend the best-selling Nisorpa Pull Out Ironing Board at Amazon for a similar.

10. Fit a range of useful hanging rails

Hanging rails are your friend when you have a lot of laundry to contend with, as hanging wet clothes helps reduce creases, so saves time and effort on ironing. 

In a restricted space, pull-out or retractable hanging rails are super handy, especially when they are mounted on the wall, saving precious floor space. A clothes maid or pulley-operated, ceiling-mounted clothes airer is always a good idea as it lifts the clothes up and out of the way, freeing up space below to complete other laundry-related chores.

Plus as heat rises, the ceiling is often the best place to dry clothes indoors quickly saving you time too. But if you want to save time, also consider buying one of the best heated clothes airers on the market.

11. Save floorspace by stacking your appliances

When it comes to small laundry room ideas, stacking your appliances is a great way to reduce their footprint on your valuable floor space. Instead, utilise vertical space. One of the biggest kitchen appliance trends of 2024 is to stack appliances on top of one another.

"Consider installing compact, stackable washer and dryer units and utilising vertical space with wall-mounted shelves and cabinets," advises Molly Chandler. 

There are a few obvious prerequisites to implementing this setup, the appliances must be front-loading and the dryer (always installed on top) mustn’t have a larger footprint than the washer. 

Top-loading appliances generally have a larger capacity, so these restrictions might be viewed negatively by those with large families, but the space-saving benefits should more than make up for it. 

You’ll need to invest in a stacking kit, taking care to purchase the correct one for your appliances as these are not universal. Some kits come with excellent pull-out trays or drawers, located between the appliances, which are very handy for resting your laundry basket when loading and unloading the dryer. 

You’ll need to check your floor is level and ensure you have adequate weight-bearing requirements beforehand too. The NIUXX Universal Stacking Kit for Washer and Dryer from Amazon features everything you need to stack appliances safely. 

12. Get creative and commandeer a cupboard

If space is super limited and a whole laundry room just isn’t an option, then don’t despair. With the right home storage, the tiniest of spaces, yes, even a cupboard or small nook can be converted into a functional laundry area.

 Joanna Jeyes, interior designer and owner of Crocus Interior Design explains, “If you don’t have space for a whole utility room, look at under-stairs cupboards, downstairs toilets, unused space in the hallway that can be closed off with some folding doors and hide your washing machine in there. Remember to consider the noise of a washing machine, though, before you pop one in your office.” 

In addition to exploring our under-stair storage ideas, it's worth taking a look at our inspirational IKEA closet hacks if you are considering this solution.

The Vita 3-Door Cabinet from Amazon is a brilliant all-in-one solution for laundry room storage. 

13. Save space with sliding doors

There's a reason the pocket door design trend is firmly back in fashion. Never underestimate how useful sliding and bifold doors can be when working with smaller homes. 

They are the perfect way to create new spaces without encroaching on the floorplan - plus, if you opt for glazed designs, the flow of light won't be interfered with either, making them a popular choice for those looking at how to organise a small hallway. 

"Sliding or bi-fold doors can enclose the laundry area without taking up additional floor space," agrees Molly Chandler. She also suggests being wise with your furniture choices and sticking to those that offer maximum bang for their buck. 

"Consider multifunctional furniture or cabinetry that can double as a laundry station, blending practicality with design," says Molly. 

The fantastic sliding solution here is from Sliding Robes Direct.

14. Create a multi-functional space by adding a dog shower

Most dog owners will have experienced the pain of returning from a particularly muddy walk only to face the dilemma of how to get man’s best friend upstairs and into the bath without covering the whole house with mud in the process. 

Incorporating a mud room dog shower into your laundry area can be a game-changer, especially if you can locate it at an entry point into the home, and having a restricted space doesn’t mean this can’t be done. 

Clare Duffy, aka @clareduffyxx, runs a popular and inspiring interiors-focused Instagram account where she regularly shares stylish room makeovers and interior styling tips. With open shelving, dark hues, and pretty panelling, Clare’s laundry room is a brilliant example of organising a small space perfectly and has achieved the right balance between practical and stylish. 

Clare’s laundry room ticks so many of the boxes for getting the most out of a smaller space and the addition of a dog shower in this stylish laundry room is pretty genius. You can create your own using Hansgrohe's DogShower 3-Spray Dog Shower Handset from Victorian Plumbing.   

15. Use a bespoke solution to maximise space

Although it might not be the most cost-effective solution, having your laundry room furniture custom-made to exactly fit your individual space will usually be the best way to ensure not a single millimetre gets wasted. 

You can also specify exactly what you want from the space, be that somewhere to store your ironing board or space to hang sopping wet washing. Taking a bespoke approach is also highly recommended if you are looking at how to organise kitchen cupboards.

It is usually cheaper to take your plans and ideas to a local carpenter or joiner to be made up.

This beautiful pink laundry room manages to pack in a washer, dryer, roomy ceramic sink, plenty of storage and a handy built-in dirty laundry bin.

FAQs

How do I maximise space in my small laundry?

To maximise space in your small laundry, you’ll need to combine all the tips, tricks and techniques shared by our experts.

• Plan ahead and choose a layout that offers the most scope for functionality.
• Opt for retractable and foldable hanging rails and clothes airers.
• Declutter the room and carefully select the items you house in your small laundry room.
• Squeeze in as much storage as possible, this can be a combination of cabinetry, open shelving, baskets and drawers.
• Get creative and use every inch of available space, including the gaps above and to the side of cupboards and shelves.

How do you do laundry in a small space?

Similar to successful kitchen storage ideas, doing your laundry in a small space requires a robust system with adequate storage and organisation. When contemplating small laundry room ideas you’ll want to make the most of every available inch of space and the back of the door is a great but often overlooked area.

Following these top tips from Lisa Honiball will get you off to a great start, “Clever solutions like a slide-out worktop can be useful for folding laundry and then tuck back out of the way when not in use. Instead of a standard radiator consider a towel radiator – handy for laundry days and wet coats.”

How can I make my laundry room look nice?

The smallest rooms in the house are often the safest to make bold design choices for because a bold colour or pattern won’t be present on a large enough scale to become overwhelming. It's surprising how you can make a room look bigger with paint choices. 

When it comes to interior design, playing it safe in a tiny room can make the space feel even smaller because of an underwhelming lack of character and personality. The key to success is taking a considered approach to your scheme being sure to provide interest and depth. For example, if you are using bold patterned wallpaper trends, then perhaps pair it with half-height wall panelling in a complementary colour. 

Laundry rooms, however small, provide ample interior styling opportunities and it’s these little touches that will lift your mood and make you want to spend time in them, like a beautifully styled shelf adorned with a candle in your favourite scent or your favourite print in a lovely frame on the wall. 

Lisa Honiball offers the following great advice, “Your laundry room is a work-horse – often performing several functions, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be pretty. I always say if you have to spend time doing laundry it might as well be in a pretty space. Decant laundry pods into pretty jars, use wicker storage baskets or paint the room your favourite colour. Whatever makes doing the laundry slightly less of a chore."

Where do you hang laundry in a small laundry room?

As we have seen, there are lots of ways to incorporate hanging rails and racks into a small laundry room. Whilst you can fill the limited floorspace with freestanding airers, the best use of space usually involves going vertically and mounting rails and racks on the walls and ceiling. 

When shopping for wall-mounted airers and hanging rails to use in a small laundry room with restricted space, look for products with a low profile that can be folded away when not in use. Clothes maids, aka ceiling-mounted airers operated by a pulley system, are also great for hanging clothes in a restricted space. 

Does my laundry room have to be downstairs?

It’s fair to say that in most homes, the washing machine and, therefore, the laundry room, if present, is usually downstairs. But as many interior designers and home organisers will tell you, this isn’t always the most practical solution. 

Joanna Jeyes explains why, “Upstairs is where all the clothes are. Where they are all thrown on the floor, and left in piles because nobody can be bothered to bring them downstairs to the washing machine. Upstairs is where all the wardrobes and clothes storage is. Why on earth did we think having a washing machine downstairs made sense?” This is an undeniably convincing argument for why an upstairs laundry room might be best. Jo adds the following point to consider, “think about how much noise a washing machine makes and plan accordingly”.