Most homeowners have a laundry room – if you’re unsure, the laundry room is the room where you keep your washing machine. Indeed, the trend in North America is to move the washing machine and tumble dryer outside of the kitchen or the bathroom and to place it in a dedicated area – this becomes your laundry room.
More often than not, it’s a room that we take for granted. Unlike the rest of your home, the laundry room is a place that is purely functional. Therefore, it is also the last room you’re going to decorate – if you decorate it at all. It’s also the room in which hazards of all sorts can develop freely and undisturbed. Indeed, if you consider how long to takes to put your laundry in the wash and then into the tumble dryer; with a weekly wash, that’s less than 10 minutes you’re going to spend in the laundry room. It’s not enough to think about how the room might affect your health, or even notice potential issues. If you’ve skipped the laundry room check during your spring cleaning programme, now’s the best time to give it some much-deserved attention.
#1. How’s The Plumbing?
Even in the most recent new builds, things can break or malfunction. Typically, when something needs repairing at home, it doesn’t take long to get noticed. But when the issue is in the laundry room, you may not spot it immediately. Now imagine that the problem is not visible at first like it could be the case with your plumbing system. When a pipe bursts, the only indication of a malfunction is the leak. You may not even get to see that anything is wrong until you next use the washing machine. But there are some preliminary signs that can help you to figure out whether it’s time to call a plumber. First of all, it’s fair to say that the typical plumbing material has a limited lifespan. After 15 to 20 years, you might want to check for eroded pipes, especially as they could lead to significant damages. Aside from the age of your plumbing systems, if you notice that the water pressure has changed or the washing machine takes longer to fill up, it’s worth calling on a specialist to review pipe issues. Damp patches on the wall, behind the washing machine, are also a dead giveaway that something needs urgent attention.
#2. The Washing Machine That Doesn’t Wash
You’ve filled the washing machine up. You’ve added detergent and softener. But at the end of the cycle, it doesn’t feel like your clothes are really clean. It’s easy to ignore the issue if the washing machine still provides some performance, but it’s not a good idea. Ideally, you want to find someone who can repair your appliances as soon as you notice something odd. Why do? Because the longer you wait, the worse it’s going to get. Typically, a professional can fix most simple problems by replacing a broken piece, cleaning an obstacle off the system, or readjusting the inner settings. But, the longer you use your faulty appliance, the more the problem can develop. A non-expensive repair can turn into having to replace the washing machine.
#3. Are Your Washes Eco-Friendly?
When it comes to environmentally-friendly washes, most households are proud to say that they try to pick the best energy-sufficient machine for their requirements. It’s fair to say that depending on where you live; you may not be able to select an A rating machine – for instance, households that need to handle low pressures or are partially off-the-grid will have to choose the most suitable option. But, in general, homeowners make an energy-educated choice with the purchase of their washing machine. However, your environmental responsibilities don’t end there. You need to consider your water waste too. The use of chemical products can not only affect the environment, but it also increases the risk of rashes and irritations for people with sensitive skin. You might want to consider swapping your laundry powder for a green product.
#4. Do You Have A Safe Spot For Your Laundry Basket?
Opinions are divided as to where you should store your laundry basket. A lot of people keep it in the bathroom, but this can lead to additional moisture finding its way through the fibers. If you wait too long between washes, your clothes can develop a distinctive musty smell. If you choose instead to keep the laundry basket in your bedroom, you need to make sure that the clothes are not going to get any dirtier. Pet owners, for a start, can struggle with keeping their cats off the clothes! So, if you haven’t already, you need to bring your laundry basket in your laundry room!
#5. There Is A Way Around The Tumble Dryer
While tumble dryers are a practical invention, they are also a significant drain for the environment. Indeed, dryers are among the energy hungriest appliances in your home. With every dry, they consume large amounts of electricity – up to 5 kWh per cycle – which results in unnecessary CO2 emissions. The main question you want to ask yourself is: Do I need a tumble dryer? A drying rack, more often than not, can do the trick. During the warmer months of the year, you can hang your clothes in the garden to dry. In winter, you can create a warm air system that circulates around the damp clothes before escaping through a vent.
#6. Keep Your Products Away From Kids And Pets
Last but not least, if you have a pet or young children, it’s a good idea to keep the laundry room out of reach. You can place a lock on the door – it will avoid many accidents. Additionally, you want to babyproof your laundry room cabinets. Even if you’re using eco-friendly and safe products, it doesn’t mean that they’re entirely safe for consumption.
Your laundry room is a functional space. But, too often, homeowners don’t think of how the room could be improved to better serve its purse for the household and reduce its negative impact on the environment. It’s never too late to give your laundry room some love!
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Wonderful tips for a laundry room!
Thank you! ☺🌺
You look gorg!!
Thank you so much! 🙂🌺
I don’t have my own home yet but I will remember these pointers and put them in practice when I do; and I will definitely have my own Laundry Room!
For sure! 🙂🌹
Good tips, all of them, and #4 is particularly applicable. About a year ago, I needed to do laundry at my parents’ house. After three hours, everything had been washed, dried, folded, and was in the basket. Where do you think the cat decided to nap ten minutes later?
Why not? It was warm, soft, and probably smelled like me, so it was “safe.” I wish I had read your entry a year ago!
Oh my!