Spring Cleaning Laundry: Ultimate Tips to Reclaim Your Space

The laundry room is often one of the most overlooked spaces in the home, yet it is an important part of keeping your home running smoothly. When my undiagnosed ADHD was at its worst, one of my most significant barriers was not having clean laundry. Or if I did, it was in a wrinkled heap in a basket that I had to regularly dig through. Spring cleaning time comes around, and it is a perfect time to give your laundry room some much-needed attention. A clean, organized, and refreshed laundry room makes your chores easier and creates a more pleasant and functional space. Spring cleaning laundry doesn’t have to feel like a chore when you have a clear plan. In this post, I’ll share simple steps to declutter, deep clean, and transform your laundry room into a fresh and efficient space. Let’s get started with the spring cleaning laundry edition!

*This post may contain affiliate links, which means I will earn a small commission if you purchase through my link. Please see full disclosure for more information.

Why bother with organizing your laundry room during spring cleaning?

Spring cleaning laundry isn’t just about washing clothes; it’s also about organizing supplies and decluttering your space. Organizing your laundry room during spring cleaning is more than just about aesthetics—creating a space that saves you time, reduces stress, and improves efficiency. Organizing your laundry room helps you quickly find what you need and streamline the process. Plus, when everything has its place, you’re less likely to feel overwhelmed by piles of laundry or misplaced supplies. Taking the time to declutter and organize this space can turn a dreaded task into a smoother, even more enjoyable, routine.

Declutter and Donate – The first step to a clean and organized laundry room

The first step to a clean, organized laundry room is decluttering and donating. Spring cleaning laundry routines are the perfect opportunity to donate unused clothes and linens. First, it is essential to go through your laundry room and get rid of items you no longer need, like old cleaning supplies, mismatched socks, or worn-out sheets and towels. Old towels can be cut into smaller squares to use as cleaning rags.

This is also a great time to go through your clothes. Take out items you last wore a year ago, clothes with rips, holes, or stains, and clothes that no longer fit you. It is okay to put clothes that no longer fit you but are still in good condition and you still like them into a box if you might wear them again someday. But take them out of the rotation for now. The more clothes you have to manage, the more overwhelming your laundry routine will be. You can set aside any items that are still in good condition but that you no longer use to donate.

Decluttering creates a clean slate and frees up valuable space, making organizing and maintaining your laundry room and routine easier. Letting go of unnecessary items is the perfect way to kick off your spring cleaning!

• Get rid of items in your laundry room you no longer need.
• Donate clothing you no longer wear.
• Cut up old towels you no longer want to use as cleaning rags.

Think about storage solutions for an organized laundry room.

Having reasonable storage solutions is essential to creating an organized laundry room. This does not mean you need to run out and spend a bunch of money on fancy bins and such, but try to look at how you can make what you already have work more effectively. First, you want to make sure you are using any shelves or cabinets you have to maximize space. Keep frequently used items like detergent, stain remover, and fabric softener within easy reach.

Add bins, baskets, or clear jars to group similar items, such as stain removers, dryer sheets, or cleaning cloths. Label these containers for quick identification and to maintain order. Use wall-mounted racks or hooks for hanging tools like lint rollers or drying racks. If you have limited space, over-the-door organizers or pull-out carts can make the most of tight areas. With the proper storage solutions, your laundry room will stay tidy and efficient, making laundry day a breeze.

• Use shelves and cabinets to maximize space.
• Keep frequently used items like detergent, stain remover, and fabric softener within reach.
• Use bins or baskets to group similar items together.
• Label bins for quick identification.
• Use hooks for hanging tools like lint rollers, drying racks, and ironing boards.
• Utilize over-the-door organizers and pull-out carts if you have limited space.

Freshen up your laundry room.

Freshening up your laundry room can make a big difference in how inviting and functional the space feels. You could brighten the room with a fresh coat of paint in a light, cheerful color. If you have the space, you could add decorative touches like a stylish rug, framed artwork, or a small plant. Do not worry if your laundry room does not look like a Pinterest board, though. Keeping your laundry room clean and organized will make the space feel nicer.

The laundry room is unfinished in our current house, plus we are renting. It is really not conducive to decorating or painting. We kept our cats’ litter boxes in there and constantly felt like we were walking on sand to do laundry. I finally took those out and moved them elsewhere with new litter boxes and a mat, and the laundry room is so much better to go into now. The smallest changes can make a difference.

Adding a subtle air freshener or scented sachets can keep the room smelling clean and pleasant. These small changes can transform your laundry room into a space you enjoy spending time in. Don’t forget to include deep cleaning your machines in your spring cleaning laundry checklist!

• Learn the best way to deep clean a top-loading washing machine.
• Here is a helpful post I followed about cleaning a front-loading washer.
• These are some helpful tips for deep cleaning your dryer and lint trap.

• Brighten up the room with a fresh coat of paint.
• If space allows add some decorative items to make the space feel nicer.
• Add an air freshner or scented sachets to keep the room smelling pleasant.

DIY projects to spruce up your laundry room.

DIY projects are a great way to spruce up your laundry room while adding a personal touch. Start by creating a custom pegboard to hang frequently used tools like lint rollers, scissors, or reusable bags, keeping them within easy reach. Build a simple folding station using a sturdy countertop or repurpose an old table for a practical workspace. You don’t have to break the bank. Make some inexpensive framed prints with laundry themes or quotes. Floating shelves can be used for extra storage, and you can upcycle jars and baskets to organize small items like clothespins and detergent pods.

• Create a custom pegboard to hang frequently used tools and save space.
• Build a simple folding station.
• Create your own laundry room prints.
• Use floating shelves for extra storage.

Daily habits to maintain a tidy and efficient laundry room.

Maintaining a tidy and efficient laundry room starts with building simple daily habits. After each use, put supplies like detergent and stain removers back in their designated spots to prevent clutter. Make sure you are emptying the lint trap in your drier after every load to ensure safety and efficiency. Make it a habit to wipe down surfaces, including the washer and dryer, to prevent dust and residue from building up. Sort and fold laundry promptly to avoid piles accumulating in the space. Finally, quickly scan the room at the end of the day to ensure everything is in order. These small, consistent actions will keep your laundry room clean, organized, and ready for use.

The whole household should be involved in keeping the laundry room clean. Try to encourage your family members to put their clean clothes away immediately and clean up after themselves in the laundry room. Teach your family to sort their clothes into whites, darks, and colors. This will make laundry time more efficient.

The whole household should be involved in keeping the laundry room clean. Encourage everyone to put away their clean clothes promptly and to clean up any spills or messes they make. By making it a team effort, you’ll ensure your laundry room stays clean and efficient for the long haul.

• Put away all your laundry supplies after each use.
• Clean the dryer lint trap after each load.
• Wipe down surfaces including washer and dryer regularly.
• Sort and fold laundry promptly.

Simplify Your Laundry Routine

Simplifying your laundry routine can save time, reduce stress, and make the process more efficient. The first thing you want to do is create a system for sorting your clothes. You can use color-coded hampers or labeled baskets or do a quick sort when you gather the clothes and are ready to start washing. Start by creating a system for sorting clothes—whether it’s color-coded hampers, labeled baskets, or a quick-sorting method before each wash. To minimize clutter, you can stick to only essential supplies like an all-in-one detergent or multi-purpose stain remover.

Do a little each day or set a specific day of the week.

Set specific laundry days to avoid last-minute loads piling up. There are two schools of thought on this. I have followed a cleaning account that says to do one load of laundry daily, and I’ve also seen it where people assign a specific day for laundry. I believe FlyLady recommends always keeping your laundry moving. Start a load in the morning, switch it to the dryer in the afternoon, and then fold and put it away in the evening. Do that every day to stay on top of it.

CleanMama is another account I follow that I believe also recommends doing a load every day but then has assigned days of the week for bedding and towels. I have a partner who does almost all of the laundry, but our routine is to do it all on Sunday. Try both ways and see what works best for you and your family! Another tip is to organize your space with a dedicated folding station and storage solutions that keep everything within reach for faster folding. Try to remove any barriers that make folding laundry harder to accomplish!

• Create a system for sorting your clothes.
• Try to minimize clutter and keep only essential supplies.
• Decide if you want to set a specific day to do laundry or try to do a load every day to stay on top of it.
• Set up a fold station and storage solutions.

Time-saving hacks for efficient laundry days

Time-saving hacks can make your laundry days more efficient and less overwhelming. Start by sorting laundry as you go using divided hampers for whites, colors, and delicates. Then, your laundry is ready to toss into the machine. Use quick-wash cycles for lightly soiled items to save time and energy.

Dryer balls are great for speeding up drying time, reducing wrinkles, and reducing the need to iron or steam your clothes. Treat stains as soon as they happen. This will make them more likely to come out and have less work later. To save steps, try creating a setup to fold and hang clothes directly from the dryer. Be sure to enlist your family members to help fold and put away their laundry! These simple hacks will streamline your laundry process and reclaim more of your day.

• Sort your laundry ahead of time.
• Use quick wash cycles for lightly soiled items.
• Use dryer balls or tennis balls to speed up drying time and reduce wrinkles.
• Treat stains as soon as they happen.
• Fold or hang clothes directly from the dryer.

Separate and Sort – Tips for sorting your laundry like a pro

Sorting your laundry like a pro is key to protecting your clothes and achieving the best wash results. Start by separating clothes into categories: whites, darks, and colors. For even better care, further sort by fabric type, such as delicates, heavy items like towels or jeans, and items that require specific care, like wool or silk.

Always check clothing labels for washing instructions, and separate anything that needs a cold, gentle, or hand-wash cycle. To prevent mishaps, sort out items with zippers or hooks that could snag delicate fabrics. Finally, wash heavily soiled items separately to avoid transferring dirt or odors. Taking a few extra minutes to sort correctly will keep your laundry looking its best and help your machines work more efficiently.

• Sort clothes into categories – whites, darks, and colors.
• Sort by fabric type. Delicates, heavy items like towels and jeans, or items that require specific care.
• Check clothing labels for washing and drying instructions.
• Sort out items with zippers or hooks that could snag delicate fabric.

Tackling stubborn stains.

Make spring cleaning laundry more efficient by pre-sorting clothes and tackling stains ahead of time. Tackling stubborn stains doesn’t have to be daunting if you act quickly and use the proper techniques. Start by blotting (not rubbing) the stain with a cloth to remove as much of the stain as possible. Pre-treat the area with a stain remover or a DIY solution like a mix of baking soda and water or dish soap and hydrogen peroxide, depending on the fabric and stain type. Rub the stain remover into the stain with your fingers or a soft brush and let it sit for at least 10 minutes before washing.

The type of stain and the fabric will determine the temperature at which you wash the stained items. Here is a guide I found for choosing what temp to wash at based on the type of stain. Always check the stain before drying—heat can set it permanently. If you can’t see the stain while the clothes are still wet, I like to let the item air dry. Repeat the process if necessary, and consider specialized products for tougher stains like grease or ink.

• Treat stains immediately.
• Blot the stain to remove as much of the substance as possible.
• Pre-treat with a stain remover or a DIY solution of baking soda and water or dish soap and hydrogen peroxide. Let sit for at least 10 minutes.
• Wash stained items at the appropriate temperature.
• Check to see if the stain is out before drying. Repeat the process if necessary.

Drying hacks to make your life easier.

Efficiently drying your laundry can save time and energy while keeping your clothes in great shape. Shaking out each piece of clothing before you put it in the dryer can reduce wrinkles and improve air circulation to help your clothes dry faster. Clean tennis or dryer balls can also speed up drying time and prevent items from sticking together. For delicate items or those prone to shrinking, air-dry them on a drying rack or hang them on padded hangers to maintain their shape.

If you’re in a hurry, toss a clean, dry towel into the dryer with your wet clothes to absorb moisture and reduce drying time. For wrinkle-prone items, remove them while they’re still slightly damp and hang or fold them immediately. These simple hacks will make drying laundry easier and keep your garments looking fresh and wrinkle-free.

• Shake out each piece of clothing before you put it in the dryer.
• Use clean tennis balls or dryer balls to speed up drying time.
• Hang delicate items on a drying rack or padded hanger.
• If you’re in a hurry, toss a clean, dry towel in with wet clothes to absorb moisture and reduce drying time.
• For wrinkle-prone items, remove them while slightly damp and hang or fold immediately.

Fold and Hang – Easy ways to keep your clothes wrinkle-free and ready to wear

Correctly folding and hanging your clothes can keep them wrinkle-free and ready to wear, saving you time and effort later. Start by removing clothes from the dryer immediately to prevent creases from setting. Smooth out each garment by giving it a quick shake or gently tugging on the fabric before folding or hanging. Use padded or non-slip hangers for delicate items and heavier fabrics to maintain shape. For shirts, button the top button when hanging to avoid sagging collars. Fold clothes along their natural seams and stack them neatly to prevent unnecessary wrinkles. For clothing that wrinkles easily, consider rolling them instead of folding them. These simple techniques will help you to have clothing that is always ready to wear!

• Remove clothes from the dryer immediately to prevent creases from setting.
• Smooth out each garment before folding or hanging.
• Use padded or non-slip hangers for delicate items and heavier fabrics.
• Button the top button on shirts to avoid sagging collars.
• Fold clothes along natural seams and stack them neatly.
• For clothes that wrinkle easily, consider rolling instead of folding.

Spring cleaning laundry tips – there you go!

Spring cleaning your laundry room is a rewarding project that transforms this hardworking space into a clean, organized, and efficient area. By decluttering, deep cleaning, and implementing smart storage solutions, you can create a laundry room that looks great and makes your chores easier. Simple touches like DIY upgrades, decorative accents, and maintenance habits can keep the space fresh and functional all year.

Whether tackling stubborn stains, streamlining your routine, or brightening the room with a fresh coat of paint, every step contributes to a more enjoyable and stress-free laundry experience. So, roll up your sleeves and get started—your refreshed laundry room awaits! If you want more tips and tricks, be sure to connect with me on Instagram or join my private Facebook group for even more updates and advice. Happy cleaning!