The Organised Housewife
  • HOME
  • MY ONLINE STORE
  • New? Start Here
  • BACK TO SCHOOL
  • ORGANISING
  • CLEANING
  • RECIPES
    • RECIPES
    • Lunchbox Ideas
    • Meal Planning
  • COUPON CODES
  • MORE
    • BUDGET TIPS
    • THRIVING AT HOME
    • PRINTABLES
    • DECLUTTER
    • BACK TO SCHOOL TIPS
    • HOLIDAY SEASONS
      • HOMEMADE GIFT IDEAS
      • VALENTINES DAY
      • EASTER IDEAS
      • MOTHERS DAY
      • FATHERS DAY
      • HALLOWEEN
      • CHRISTMAS
      • TEACHER APPRECIATION
    • OTHER
      • ESSENTIAL OILS
        • What are Essential Oils
        • Why I use doTERRA Essential Oils
        • Current doTERRA Promotions
        • How to Buy doTERRA Essential Oils
        • Beginners Guide to Essential Oils
        • DIY with Essential Oils
        • A-Z Essential Oil Guide
        • More Essential Oil Tips
        • About Loyalty Rewards Program
        • How to Place a US doTERRA order from Australia
        • Become a Stockist
  • HELPFUL TIPS
  • FREE UPDATES
  • AFFILIATE PROGRAM
    • Become an affiliate
    • Affiliate Login
  • ABOUT
    • ABOUT KAT
    • Meet the Team
    • Media/Press
  • CONTACT KAT
    • General Enquiries
    • Advertising Enquiries
    • Shop/Printable Enquiries

The Organised Housewife

  • HOME
  • MY ONLINE STORE
  • New? Start Here
  • BACK TO SCHOOL
  • ORGANISING
  • CLEANING
  • RECIPES
    • RECIPES
    • Lunchbox Ideas
    • Meal Planning
  • COUPON CODES
  • MORE
    • BUDGET TIPS
    • THRIVING AT HOME
    • PRINTABLES
    • DECLUTTER
    • BACK TO SCHOOL TIPS
    • HOLIDAY SEASONS
      • HOMEMADE GIFT IDEAS
      • VALENTINES DAY
      • EASTER IDEAS
      • MOTHERS DAY
      • FATHERS DAY
      • HALLOWEEN
      • CHRISTMAS
      • TEACHER APPRECIATION
    • OTHER
      • ESSENTIAL OILS
        • What are Essential Oils
        • Why I use doTERRA Essential Oils
        • Current doTERRA Promotions
        • How to Buy doTERRA Essential Oils
        • Beginners Guide to Essential Oils
        • DIY with Essential Oils
        • A-Z Essential Oil Guide
        • More Essential Oil Tips
        • About Loyalty Rewards Program
        • How to Place a US doTERRA order from Australia
        • Become a Stockist
LaundryOrganising

Laundry Room Organisation + Homemade Laundry Powder

by Katrina - The Organised Housewife June 19, 2013November 8, 2017
June 19, 2013November 8, 2017

This is a guest post by Jess

Laundry rooms are usually the least chic room in the house, even though we as home keepers, spend a great deal of our time in there. I decided it was time to ‘pretty up’ my laundry room and make it functional rather than a catch all for all the bits and pieces that don’t have a home.

I tend to go for fairly neutral colours throughout my home, lots of brown, white, cream and grey. For my laundry room however, I wanted to make it really bright and cheery, a place that I really enjoy spending time in.

The first thing I did was pull every single thing out of the room, washer and dryer included. I gave it a really good clean then started sorting. While it was empty, I assessed the room. I thought about how I wanted it to function, most convenient placement for items, what I wanted to keep in the room, and how I wanted it to look.

On the top shelf in the cupboard I have 3 boxes, the first is for clothing to be donated. After the clothing item has been washed and dried, I throw it in the box. When the box is full, I put the clothing in a garbage bag and take it to an Op Shop. Having this box stops clothing that is no longer worn going back into our closets. The second box is similar to the first however it is for clothing to go into storage. This box would also be a good idea if you are collecting clothes to hand down to friends or relatives. The third box is for extra plastic and canvas shopping bags. We also keep our iron on the top shelf.

 The last box on the top shelf is my favourite, it is for storage containers {Yes, a storage container for storage containers}. I change things around quite a bit in my home so whenever I have an extra container I put it in this box. Similarly, when I am organising, instead of going shopping for new containers I look here first and usually I have something that will fit.

The next shelf down has four plastic baskets. The first has all our extra laundry supplies and stain removers. The second holds extra cleaning supplies, gloves, and ingredients I use to make my own cleaners. The next basket has my microfibre cloths and enjo gloves and the last basket holds our extension cords and power boards.

I have a bucket with vacuum attachments and extra mop pads on the next shelf, which is next to my cleaning caddy. I have all the supplies I need in my cleaning caddy which makes cleaning my house so much easier. On this shelf I also have a big box with paper towel and a spare box of tissues.

A big box with toilet paper is on the next shelf, with our empty washing baskets.

Down the bottom is where we keep our vacuum cleaner. There is also a small hamper next to the vacuum cleaner. This is for all our dirty kitchen cloths, tea towels and microfibre cloths. When the box is getting full, I throw them all in the machine together.

In the side section of the cupboard we have some hangers for clean clothes and our ironing board. There are also some hooks for our broom and mop and a garbage bin for all that dryer lint and pocket rubbish.

We have three big hampers in our laundry room, for darks, lights and linen. I made a bench to go over the top of the hampers to make best use of that space. I do all my folding on this bench before the clothes leave the laundry room, I hate playing catch up with folding if I dump it somewhere else to ‘do later’. On top of the bench I keep a basket for delicate clothes that need to be hand washed. Clothes that need soaking also go in this basket.

Above the bench, I have put up a floating shelf which holds 3 baskets. The first has clothes to be mended, the second is for odd socks or socks waiting for their mate to be washed, and the third basket is for all those odds and ends from our pockets. I usually go through these baskets once a week and mend, pair or relocate their contents.

On the other end of the bench I have some glass jars with our washing soaps. The large one holds homemade washing powder, the other has laundry soaking powder, and the bottle contains our fabric softener.

Above the sink I installed a towel rail, which I use to hang a container for hand soap and a microfibre cloth. I also use this rail to hang up wet items like swimmers before putting them into the hamper. The art above is a DIY piece; I bought a blank canvas and some print material. I stretched the material over the canvas and stapled it on the back.

My favourite part of the laundry room is the rug. I couldn’t find exactly what I wanted (for the price I wanted to pay) so I decided to make it myself. I ended up spending about $20 and it is perfect. You can read all about it and find the tutorial here.

Homemade Washing Powder Recipe

For the lovely Organised Housewife readers I have my homemade laundry powder recipe. This is made using all natural ingredients that you can find at your local supermarket (you may have to search a bit, they are usually either up high or down low).

  • 2 Bars Laundry Soap
  • 2 cups Washing Soda
  • 1 cup Borax
  • 1 cup Laundry Soaking Powder
  1. First, you need to grate your 2 bars of soap, you can use your hand grater or if you have a food processor that grates, it is much quicker.
  2. Put the soap into a large bowl and add the other ingredients.
  3. Give it a really good mix and pour it into an airtight container.
  4. Use 1 tablespoon for each load (2 for a really dirty load).

I usually double the mixture, which will make about 3kg. Also if you double the mixture you will use the whole box of soap, bag of washing soda and tub of borax so you won’t have extra lying around.

This homemade washing powder will cost $7.60, using the same ingredients I used, and will do about 75 loads. Best of all, it is all natural with no harmful chemicals. If you are worried about the use of Borax, I found this article to be very informative.

I am thrilled with how my laundry room turned out. It is now a joy to do my laundry (well, maybe not quite but it has made a huge difference). I hope I have inspired you to make your laundry a happier place to be.


About Jess – Jess lives in Canberra with 2 gorgeous daughters and husband. Jess used to blog at Forever Organised.  She is a lover of all things organised, meal plans, chocolate, craft projects, Washi Tape and writing lists. Jess can’t live with out her day planner and a cup of tea in the mornings.As a long time fan I am thrilled to be a guest on The Organised Housewife.

 

 

 

 

35 comments
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinStumbleuponEmail
previous post
Afternoon Tea: Five for Five
next post
Five Picture Books Perfect for Bedtime Cuddles & Snuggles

You may also like

Organising the fridge

Organising: Pantry

Goodbye Clutter, Hello Organisation

What is clutter?

5 steps to clear your clutter

Organising Kitchen Drawers

35 comments

Victoria June 19, 2013 - 9:50 AM

Love the turquoise but think the labelling is overkill. You know where everything lives I’m sure and how many visitors actually use your laundry room? But the colours are lovely…

Reply
Katrina June 19, 2013 - 10:37 AM

I like the labelling, not excuses for hubby not to put things back where they belong LOL.

Reply
Susan Auden Wood July 3, 2013 - 10:58 PM

Love the labelling, plus some of us just need it when we get older. No overkill here, I don’t remember where anything lives.

Reply
Samm June 19, 2013 - 1:04 PM

Where do you make hose labellers?

Reply
Kathy June 20, 2013 - 8:03 PM

I agree I love those labels! If you made or bought please tell!!

Reply
Jess @ Forever Organised June 20, 2013 - 10:28 PM

Hi Samm, you can find a tutorial to make the labels here – http://foreverorganised.blogspot.com.au/2013/06/how-to-make-super-cute-labels-using.html

Reply
Jarni June 19, 2013 - 1:06 PM

I think the labels are wonderful. Where did you get them from?

Reply
Jess @ Forever Organised June 20, 2013 - 10:28 PM

Thanks Jarni. You can find a tutorial to make the labels here – http://foreverorganised.blogspot.com.au/2013/06/how-to-make-super-cute-labels-using.html

Reply
Nadine Linn June 19, 2013 - 5:27 PM

can that soap powder be used in a front loading washing machine?

Reply
Belle June 19, 2013 - 7:00 PM

Yes – I make this laundry powder as well (minus the soaking powder due to allergies & I add some bi-carb) and Ive found you need to place it straight in the washing machine on the clothes – NOT in the dispenser (it wont dissolve if you put it in there) 🙂

Reply
Jess @ Forever Organised June 20, 2013 - 10:30 PM

Hi Nadine, I have a top loader but I have been told by quite a few people that it works just fine. As Belle says bellow, maybe try putting it directly into the washing machine not the dispenser.

Reply
Kj June 19, 2013 - 5:47 PM

My laundry drives me crazy with dryer fluff and dust. I don’t even use the dryer very often. How do you stop it dirtying your baskets and everything? Do you pull it all out every few months and wash everything? That is what I am about to do this school holidays but I would love a way to reduce the amount of flyaway “stuff” that just lands all through my laundry. Any ideas?

Reply
Katrina June 19, 2013 - 8:46 PM

Kj my dryer doesn’t throw fluff around, I’ve not heard of that happening before, do you empty the lint catcher regularly?

Reply
Jess @ Forever Organised June 20, 2013 - 10:27 PM

Hi Kj, the fluff drives me crazy too. To reduce it I clean the lint catcher after every cycle and give the room a quick suck with my handheld vacuum. Once a month I pull everything out and give the room a really good clean.

Hope this helps 🙂

Reply
Lou June 19, 2013 - 9:04 PM

What a gorgeous laundry!! Just wondering where you found your hampers? I have been looking for something similar, and wanting a set of three as well ( 6 people in my house! ) Thanks, love it and the colour scheme is great!

Reply
Jess @ Forever Organised June 20, 2013 - 10:24 PM

Thanks Lou. The hampers I got from Bunnings a couple of years ago, I’m not sure if they still have them in stock but you may be able to find something similar 🙂

Reply
Eliza September 8, 2018 - 9:43 AM

Can you please advise what brand these hampers are? I know they’re from Bunnings from a while ago and they don’t stock them now but just wondering if I could see if this company still make them. They would be a perfect fit for our laundry as we have the same setup.

Reply
Jessica June 20, 2013 - 1:42 PM

Love this laundry, it is gorgeous! Can anyone tell me where to get glass jars like the ones that the laundry poweder is kept in?

Reply
Jess @ Forever Organised June 20, 2013 - 10:22 PM

Thanks Jessica. The big glass jar I got from Hot Dollar at the end of last year, I’m not sure if they would still have them in stock but you should be able to find something similar at a dollar store 🙂

Reply
Cassie June 22, 2013 - 2:45 PM

Just wondering where you got the big blue tubs that you use for toilet paper and paper towel. Your laundry is amazing. I would love to get mine to this stage.

Reply
Justine June 26, 2013 - 2:29 PM

Hi, I am also wondering where you got the big blue tubs from? I am in Adelaide and I am continually looking around for storage boxes with no luck. But I really do like the look of those ones.

Reply
Deanna Kemp July 6, 2013 - 10:32 AM

Where did you get your labels from I a mad labler!!

Reply
Becci Sundberg July 9, 2013 - 10:52 AM

Fabulous Laundry. If only I had storage like that in mine!
I make my own washing powder too. Was a little worried about the borax too after hearing so many thing so I switched to using bicarb in the same quantities and it works excellent. For me I have to travel to the next town to buy borax whereas I can get bicarb in the local supermarket and it’s cheaper. So for those that are worried still about borax (I’m still confused about it all lol) you can switch it for good old bicarb no problems.
I’m also dropping the amount of ‘Napisan’ that I use now the boys are getting a little older and not so grubby.

Reply
ayami July 29, 2013 - 11:04 PM

Oh my goodness its so lovely!!!!!!!!Im gonna clean my laundry room NOW!

Reply
Charde Negus November 25, 2013 - 11:40 AM

Hi there, I absolutely love your blog. I am going to attempt to make my own washing powder this weekend. Just wondering if you could go without the: 1 cup Laundry Soaking Powder? Thanks, Charde

Reply
Charde Negus January 17, 2014 - 6:20 AM

Also does it have to be stored in an airtight container? I have a nice tin that I put my laundry powder in but I am wondering if this effects it as air can get in? Thanks, Charde

Reply
Eliza Bathory March 15, 2014 - 10:26 AM

this is very inspiring. unfortunately our ‘laundry room’ is a washing machine in a spare part of the downstairs garage. I think however I can definitely use some of the concepts you have outlines to improve it somewhat

Reply
Meg Supel May 26, 2014 - 4:32 PM

Love the blue & White, my favourite colour scheme. Very inspired to turn my laundry Into a place i like to be! Love the labels as i ways forget what i have allocated where. Where r the blue bins from? Also r the White boxes up the top cardboard? They look fairly solid?

Reply
Julia September 25, 2015 - 4:25 AM

Very wonderful project, Jess! Nice job!

Reply
Louise April 28, 2017 - 8:18 PM

So organised, I love it. Do you keep your linen and towels in the laundry too, or do you have a seperate cupboard somewhere else?

Reply
Liz October 20, 2018 - 7:49 AM

Can you use the washing powder in cold water or is hot water best ?

Reply
Katrina - The Organised Housewife October 22, 2018 - 9:46 AM

I use it in both 🙂

Reply
Kelly February 21, 2019 - 8:58 AM

My laundry is tiny. There are no cupboards or shelves and as rent we aren’t allowed. It has a dryer, washing machine and sink and that’s all. But your laundry looks absolutely beautiful I would love to do laundry in there.

Reply
Alison October 21, 2019 - 7:57 PM

The washing powder doesn’t actually clean but it does smell great ?

Reply
Katrina - The Organised Housewife October 29, 2019 - 8:58 AM

Alison it does smell lovely doesn’t it?! A few other people have had great results by putting the laundry powder directly into their washing machine as opposed to in the dispenser. I hope this helps 🙂 Kat x

Reply

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Keep in touch

Facebook Twitter Google + Instagram Pinterest Youtube Email

About Me

About Me

Katrina Springer, The Organised Housewife. Gold Coast, QLD

Global Inspiration, Social Influencer, Author, Celebrity Ambassador, Winner 2019 Gold Coast Women of the Year People Choice Award & Finalist Gold Coast Women Entrepreneur Of The Year.

I share a daily dose of domestic advice to make life simpler and tidier. If you are struggling, you can gain back the control, to have a home you enjoy spending time in and create calm to replace the chaos. Read more.

STAY UP TO DATE

SEARCH THE BLOG

AWARDS

KAT’S FAV SHOE

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

FEATURED IN

the organised housewife featured in

ARCHIVES

COPYRIGHT

Wanting to feature an idea or recipe on your blog that you have found on The Organised Housewife? I'm honoured! If you do, please use only one image, do not crop my logo and provide a direct link back to the original post. You may not share a post in its entirety without my permission.

theorganisedhousewife

The Organised Housewife™
If this is what the batter looks like, imagine how If this is what the batter looks like, imagine how tasty the finished product will be!! 😋⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
These are my Blueberry Muffins with a crunchy topping! Whenever I see those ripe blueberries at the shops, I get a craving for these! They're delicious and soft with pops of fruity flavour throughout. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The recipe is on my blog, just tap the link in my bio to read! The batter is versatile too, you could add any berries to it – raspberries, strawberries, blackberries… even banana, apple or peaches if you wanted to! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#kidfreindlyrecipes #bakingtime #bakinglove #bakingwithkids #bakingblog #bakingrecipes #bakingathome #bakingtools #blueberryrecipe
My dentist told me I need a crown...⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I was like "I know, right??" 👑 💁‍♀️⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#quotes #ilovequotes #quote #motivation #quoteoftheday #lifequotes #quotestoliveby #lovequotes #inspiration #motivation #motivationalquotes #inspirationalquotes #instagood #lifequotes #quotesaboutlife #quotesoftheday #quotesdaily  #goals #inspire
I thought about introducing my review of the Miele I thought about introducing my review of the Miele Triflex HXI Pro with a vacuum joke… but then realised they always suck (sorry, I couldn’t help myself – lol!)
 
In all honesty though, I have a lot of boxes I like ticked when picking the perfect vacuum cleaner. Visit the link in my bio to see if Miele’s first handstick vacuum managed to tick all these boxes for me!


#TOHcollab #cordlessvacuum #cleanhousecleanmind #vacuumcleaner #cleanfloors #cleanhousecleanmind #mieleaustralia #mielepartner #Triflex #3in1innovation
Toddlers:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The face of a Toddlers:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The face of a baby, ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
the attitude of a teenage girl ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
and the ability to go ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
angel to psycho in ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
2.7 seconds flat 👶⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#kidquotes #stuffkidssay #quotes #ilovequotes #quote #motivation #quoteoftheday #lifequotes #quotestoliveby #lovequotes #inspiration #motivation #motivationalquotes #inspirationalquotes #instagood #lifequotes #quotesaboutlife #quotesoftheday #quotesdaily  #goals #inspire
One day I'm going to be the one making onions cry! One day I'm going to be the one making onions cry! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#quotes  #quote #motivation #quoteoftheday #lifequotes #quotestoliveby #lovequotes #inspiration #motivation #motivationalquotes #inspirationalquotes #instagood #lifequotes #quotesaboutlife #quotesoftheday #quotesdailylife
My day has consisted of a moment of binge watching My day has consisted of a moment of binge watching Firefly Lane. Then running kids around. 

I’m putting a candle on to sit for a moment. Then it involves more mums taxi. I’ll cherish these moments though cause they will stop soon enough. Then what am I going to do when I’m not running kids around? Ooh the thought 🤪
Load More… Follow on Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Youtube
  • Email

© 2021 The Organised Housewife. ABN: 96 162 992 074. All Rights Reserved.   Disclosure Policy  |  Privacy Policy


Back To Top