Does your laundry room feel like a disaster zone? I used to walk into mine and instantly feel stressed.

Random bottles of detergent everywhere, piles of mismatched socks, and hampers stacked in the corner. No matter how often I tried to clean it, the clutter always came back.
The problem wasn’t my laundry room being too small; it was too much unnecessary stuff making it harder to do a simple chore.
I once spent 15 minutes just searching for stain remover, only to find three half-used bottles buried under a pile of old towels. That’s when I knew it was time to clear out the mess for good.
If your laundry space is out of control, don’t worry, you’re not alone.
I’ll walk you through the exact steps I took to declutter mine, make laundry easier, and keep it organized without extra effort.
Trust me, once you get rid of the chaos, you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner.
Why Should You Declutter Your Laundry Room?
A cluttered laundry room makes an already boring chore even worse. I used to spend 5 minutes searching for stain remover and another 10 minutes just clearing space to fold clothes.
After decluttering, I cut my laundry routine down by 15 minutes per load, saving over an hour a week—just by making everything easier to find.
Messy laundry rooms also lead to wasted money. I once found five opened boxes of fabric softener sheets buried under towels because I kept rebuying what I thought I didn’t have.
That’s when I realized clutter wasn’t just annoying—it was costing me. After organizing, I haven’t wasted a single dollar on unnecessary duplicates.
Clutter also makes small laundry rooms feel even smaller, leading to spills and accidents.
I knocked over an entire bottle of detergent once, and it took me 20 minutes to clean up the sticky mess. If I had just cleared off the unnecessary junk, that wouldn’t have happened in the first place.

Decluttering doesn’t take long but makes a huge difference. It took me 1 hour to clear out the chaos, and laundry has been so much easier since.
If you’re tired of feeling frustrated every time you do laundry, start by getting rid of the extra clutter—you won’t regret it.
See, 25 Clever Laundry Room Storage Ideas
What Makes Your Laundry Room Look Cluttered?
A cluttered laundry room isn’t just about dirty clothes—it’s all the little things piling up that make the space feel chaotic.
For the longest time, I thought my laundry room was just small, but the real problem was too much unnecessary stuff.
Once I got rid of the extra clutter, I realized I had way more space than I thought.
Here are some common clutter culprits that made my laundry room feel like a mess:
- Half-used detergent bottles and cleaning supplies – I once counted seven different bottles of detergent, fabric softener, and stain remover, all half-empty.
- Unmatched socks and random clothing items – My laundry room had a pile of single socks and old T-shirts that had been sitting there for months.
- Too many baskets, hampers, and storage bins – I kept four laundry baskets stacked in the corner but only used two.
Sometimes, the clutter isn’t even laundry-related. My laundry room somehow became a dumping ground for lightbulbs, old paint cans, and seasonal decorations.
Once I moved those to their proper place, the space felt instantly cleaner.
If your laundry room feels overwhelming, start by clearing out the obvious clutter, you’ll be surprised how much space you actually have.
See, 21 Inspiring Laundry Room Wall Decor Ideas

Things You Need to Know Before Decluttering the Laundry Room
Before jumping into decluttering, there are a few things that can save you time and frustration.
When I first decluttered my laundry room, I made the mistake of pulling everything out at once. It took me 3 hours to sort through the mess, and I ended up with piles of random stuff everywhere.
Start small, focus on one shelf or cabinet at a time to avoid getting overwhelmed.
Another mistake I made was not having a plan for what to do with the stuff I didn’t need. I had two trash bags of old towels, single socks, and empty detergent bottles sitting in my hallway for a week.
To avoid this, keep three bins nearby: trash, donate, and relocate. This way, you can get rid of clutter immediately instead of moving it around.
Here are a few things to check before decluttering:
- Expired or nearly empty laundry products – I once had three half-used stain removers taking up space for no reason.
- Random non-laundry items – My laundry room somehow became storage for lightbulbs, tools, and old holiday decorations.
- Too many baskets and hampers – I found six hampers in my tiny laundry space when I only used two.
Decluttering gets easier when you know what to expect. Give yourself 30 minutes to start, and don’t feel pressured to finish in one go.
Taking it step by step keeps the process manageable and prevents a bigger mess than you started with.

How to Declutter Your Laundry Room?
So, let’s have a look at each and every step you need to follow based on my personal experience to see how to declutter your loving laundry room.
1. Remove Everything and Start Fresh
The best way to declutter your laundry room is to take everything out and start with a clean slate.
The first time I did this, I made the mistake of pulling everything out at once without a plan.
It turned into a 3-hour mess that spread into my hallway. A smarter way is to go section by section, like clearing one shelf at a time, so you don’t end up overwhelmed.
Start by emptying cabinets, shelves, and any storage bins. As you remove things, group similar items together.
You’ll probably find multiple half-used detergent bottles or way too many dryer sheets like I did. I once found three open fabric softener bottles because I kept forgetting I already had some.
This step helps you see what you actually need and what’s just taking up space.
Once the room is empty, take 5 minutes to wipe down shelves, sweep the floor, and clean the washer and dryer.
I was shocked at how much dust and lint had built up behind my machines. It looked like I hadn’t cleaned back there in 2 years. A quick clean makes the space feel fresh before you start putting things back.
Clearing everything out may seem like extra work, but it makes the rest of the process easier.
When I did this, I got rid of two trash bags of useless clutter I didn’t even realize I was storing. Give yourself 30 minutes for this step, and don’t rush—it’s the key to creating a more organized space.

2. Create Specific Zones for Each Function
A cluttered laundry room gets messy fast when everything is mixed together. I used to throw detergent, dryer sheets, and cleaning supplies on the same shelf, which led to spills and wasted time searching for what I needed.
Once I created specific zones, I could grab what I needed in 5 seconds instead of digging through a pile of random items.
The easiest way to set up zones is to group similar items together. I made a washing zone with detergent and stain removers near the machine, a drying zone with dryer sheets and hangers, and a storage zone for extra supplies.
Before this, I had dryer sheets in three different places, and I never knew where to find them.
If space is tight, use wall-mounted racks, labeled bins, or over-the-door organizers. I added a $10 shelf above my washer, and it instantly freed up counter space.
Small changes like this help keep everything in its place and prevent clutter from building up again.
Having clear zones makes laundry faster and less stressful. Instead of wasting time searching for things, everything is exactly where it belongs.
It took me 20 minutes to set up zones, and it has saved me countless hours of frustration since.

3. Set Up Proper Storage Solutions
Good storage makes all the difference in keeping a laundry room organized. I used to shove everything onto one shelf, and within a week, it looked like a mess again.
Once I set up clear storage solutions, everything stayed in place, and I didn’t have to waste time reorganizing every few days.
Start by using baskets, bins, or shelves to separate different items. I bought three small bins for detergents, stain removers, and dryer sheets, and suddenly, I wasn’t knocking things over just to grab what I needed.
If you’re short on space, wall-mounted shelves or over-the-door organizers work great for holding extra supplies.
Don’t forget about hidden storage opportunities. I installed a tension rod under a cabinet to hang spray bottles, which freed up space on the shelf.
I also added a foldable drying rack behind the door, which kept clothes from piling up on top of the dryer.
A proper storage system doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. It took me 30 minutes to set everything up, and now my laundry room stays neat without any extra effort.
When everything has a home, clutter doesn’t have a chance to take over.
4. Establish Ground Rules to Prevent Clutter
Decluttering once is great, but if you don’t have rules to keep things in check, the mess comes right back.
I learned this the hard way when my laundry room became cluttered again within 2 weeks because I had no system to maintain it. Setting a few simple rules made a huge difference in keeping the space organized.
One rule that worked for me was limiting how many products I keep at a time. I used to have three different stain removers and multiple half-empty detergent bottles.
Now, I only buy a new one when I’m almost out. This stops unnecessary buildup and keeps my shelves from overflowing.
Another rule is everything must have a designated spot. I noticed clutter piled up when I left random items on the counter “for later.”
Now, I make sure everything goes back to its storage bin, shelf, or hook immediately after use. It only takes 10 seconds and keeps the space tidy.
Keeping a laundry room organized isn’t about constantly cleaning—it’s about building habits that stop clutter before it starts.
It took me 1 week to adjust to these rules, but once I did, my laundry room stayed clean without any extra effort.

5. Get Rid of Unwanted Items Immediately
The biggest mistake I made when decluttering my laundry room was keeping things “just in case” instead of getting rid of them right away.
I left a pile of old towels, single socks, and empty detergent bottles in a corner, thinking I’d deal with them later. Two weeks passed, and they were still there, taking up space.
To avoid this, have a plan for unwanted items as you declutter. I keep three bins nearby: one for trash, one for donations, and one for items that belong elsewhere.
This way, I don’t just move clutter from one place to another—it’s gone for good.
Certain things, like expired detergent or damaged hampers, should go straight in the trash. If you have extra towels or baskets in good condition, donate them to a local shelter or pet rescue.
I once donated five old towels, and they were happily accepted by an animal shelter.
Decluttering only works if you fully remove the extra stuff. It takes less than 10 minutes to bag up unwanted items and toss or donate them.
Once I started doing this immediately, my laundry room stayed clutter-free without any extra effort.
See, 20 Best Bathroom Towel Rack Ideas
How Long Will It Take to Declutter a Laundry Room?
Decluttering a laundry room doesn’t have to take all day. When I first tackled mine, I assumed it would be quick, but without a plan, I got stuck sorting random junk for 3 hours.
Now that I know what works, I can declutter the entire space in 1 to 2 hours, depending on how much stuff has piled up.
If your laundry room is only slightly cluttered, you can finish in 30 to 45 minutes by focusing on quick wins like tossing empty detergent bottles and organizing shelves.
If it’s more chaotic, plan for 2 to 3 hours, especially if you need to set up new storage solutions or sort through forgotten items.
Breaking the process into 15 to 20-minute sessions can also make it easier.
I once spread decluttering over 3 days, tackling one area at a time, and it felt much less overwhelming. The key is to start small and keep going until everything has a proper place.
No matter how long it takes, the time you invest will save you hours in the future. Once I decluttered and organized my laundry room, I cut my laundry routine by 15 minutes per load, simply because I wasn’t wasting time searching for things.
Watch, How to Declutter Bathroom in 30 Minutes

How to Keep Your Laundry Room Decluttered
Decluttering once is great, but keeping it that way is the real challenge.
After I organized my laundry room, I thought it would stay clean forever—two weeks later, clutter started creeping back in.
I quickly realized that without small daily habits, the mess would return just as fast as I had cleaned it.
One of the best ways to maintain order is putting things back immediately. I used to leave detergent bottles and dryer sheets out, thinking I’d put them away later, but “later” never came.
Now, I spend 10 seconds putting everything back in its place, which stops clutter from building up.
Another trick is doing a quick check once a week. Every Sunday, I take 5 minutes to scan the laundry room for random items that don’t belong.
I usually find at least one thing—like an empty bottle, a lost sock, or a pile of unfolded clothes—that needs to be handled before it turns into a mess.
Finally, I make sure to stick to the storage system I set up. Before, I’d throw extra supplies wherever they fit, but that led to clutter fast.
Now, I only keep one backup detergent, donate old towels right away, and avoid stocking up on things I don’t need. These small habits have kept my laundry room organized for months with almost no extra effort.
Who knew a clutter-free laundry room could make such a difference? Ever since I cleared out the extra junk and set up a simple system, laundry has been faster and less frustrating.
No more digging through piles of random stuff just to find detergent or dealing with baskets stacked in the corner.
If your laundry room still feels like a mess, what’s stopping you from tackling it today?
Start with just one shelf or one drawer, and you’ll be surprised how quickly things come together. Once you’re done, you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner!
FAQ
What is the fastest way to declutter a laundry room?
Remove everything, sort items into keep, trash, and donate piles, then organize essentials into specific zones.
How do I organize a small laundry room with too much stuff?
Use wall-mounted shelves, bins, and over-the-door storage to maximize space and keep only the essentials.
How often should I declutter my laundry room?
A quick declutter every 1 to 2 months prevents clutter buildup and keeps the space functional.
What should not be stored in a laundry room?
Avoid storing non-laundry items like tools, seasonal decorations, and excess household supplies to prevent clutter.
How do I keep my laundry room organized after decluttering?
Establish zones, put items back immediately after use, and do a 5-minute weekly check to maintain order.
Also watch, 10 Space-Saving Small Laundry Room Ideas to Maximize Functionality