What’s in My… Laundry Room?
If you’ve ever scrolled past a dreamy laundry room and thought, Sure, but is it actually functional?
Same.
I’m a big fan of order, but not because I’m trying to win “Most Organized.” I’m organized for one very practical reason: it saves time. The less I hunt, the faster I’m done.
And if you’re on a septic system like I am, you’ll appreciate these trusted staples, too.
Here’s what’s in my laundry room…
My Everyday Basics
- Molly’s Suds Liquid Laundry Soap
- My everyday detergent, simple, effective, and no lingering “laundry aisle perfume cloud.”
- Shout Color Catcher Sheets
- Laundry insurance. I toss one in with mixed loads (or anything new) so I’m not living on the edge.
- Distilled White Vinegar
- The unsung hero. I use it as a rinse booster and deodorizer, especially for towels and anything that comes out of the washer and still smells like… life.
Bright Whites + Power Boosters
- Rustic Strength Epic Washing Soda (washing soda / sodium carbonate)
- This is the heavy lifter. Washing soda is more alkaline, so it’s excellent for greasy kitchen towels, grimy loads, and anything that needs extra cleaning power. It’s also helpful in hard water because it boosts detergent performance.
- 20 Mule Team Borax (borax / sodium borate)
- Borax is more of a booster than a degreaser. I use it when laundry looks dull, smells a little off, or hard water is making detergent work overtime. It’s especially good for towels and sheets that need a refresh.
- Borax is more of a booster than a degreaser. I use it when laundry looks dull, smells a little off, or hard water is making detergent work overtime. It’s especially good for towels and sheets that need a refresh.
- Molly’s Suds Oxygen Whitener
- My go-to for brightening whites and refreshing sheets/towels without chlorine bleach. Great for stain soaks, too.
- Mrs. Stewart’s Liquid Bluing
- The “grandmother knew best” trick for whites that look dingy. A tiny amount makes whites look crisp again. Follow the bottle directions and don’t free-pour it like you’re seasoning soup. (Ask me how I know.) One drop is really all you need. Trust me!
Which one to use:
Grease + grime + heavy soil = Washing soda
Musty + dull + general boost (especially hard water) = Borax
All of the above? I use one at a time and assess.
Stains + Spot Treatment
- Fels-Naptha Laundry Soap Bar
- Old-school and effective for spot-treating. I use it on cuffs, collars, and mystery marks before washing.
- Stain Stick + Small Brush
- My stain philosophy: treat it quickly and move on. The little brush helps work product into textured fabric and stubborn spots.
- Laundry Brush (boar bristle)
- This is the gentle but effective brush for collars, cuffs, and everyday spot-treating. It lifts stains without roughing up fabric, especially on knits and linens. Here are two good options: Redecker Stain Brush or The Laundress Stain Brush
- Scrub Brush (stiff nylon)
- This one is for real-life messes: muddy hems, canvas, heavy towels, sneaker edges, and anything that needs actual elbow grease. Look for stiff nylon bristles and a sturdy handle that won’t wobble over time.
Delicates + Handle With Care
- Le Blanc Fragrance-Free Silk & Lingerie Wash (64 oz)
- For silk, lingerie, and anything delicate that I want to keep looking beautiful. Clean, gentle, and fragrance-free.
- Mesh Wash Bags
- Delicates, straps, knits, and anything that can snag, stretch, or tangle itself.
- OXO Good Grips Folding Dryer Rack
- For sweaters and knits that shouldn’t meet the dryer. It helps prevent stretching/shrinking and folds up neatly when you’re done.
Drying + Finishing Touches
- Wool Dryer Balls
- Cuts drying time and reduces static. Here are two good options: Friendsheep Dryer Stones and Smart Sheep Wool Dryer Balls
- Essential Oils (lavender + eucalyptus)
- I like just a whisper of scent. Individually or together, a few drops on a dryer ball impart a fresh, crisp, spa-like scent.
- Lint Roller + Fabric Shaver
- The fastest “make it look new again” duo, especially for dark clothes and sweaters. Here are two good options: Lint brush and Fabric shaver
Tools of The Trade
- Mounted Folding Table
- A real folding surface that disappears when you don’t need it.
- Chrome Clothing Garment Rack (rolling clothes organizer)
- My laundry-day sanity saver. Great for hang-dry items, wrinkle-prone pieces, and “I’ll put this away later” (so it doesn’t end up on a chair).
- Iron + Ironing Board
- Not daily, but essential for crisp linens, napkins, and the occasional outfit rescue.
- Handheld Steamer
- Sharp Fine Scissors
- For snipping loose threads, trimming tags, opening packages…a tiny tool, constant use.
- Silicone Measuring Cups
- For no-guessing laundry. They are easy to rinse, no cracking, no sticky residue.
- Labels
- Because once you pour anything into a bottle, you immediately forget what it is. Labels eliminate the mystery.
- Empty Spray Bottles
- For linen spray, pre-treat spray, vinegar-water mix…bonus points if they have a measurements to scale.
