Easy Steps to an Organized Life in 31 Days: Laundry Supplies Checklist (Day 22)
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Day 22: Laundry Supplies Checklist
Yesterday, Day 21, we organized the laundry room.
Today, we will revisit the laundry room and the supplies we stock. It doesn’t take dozens and dozens of bottles, potions, and powders to have the necessary ingredients to remove stains, launder clothes, and sanitize.
By pairing down to supplies that are actually needed and by decanting bulky packaging into streamlined clear and labeled containers, laundry rooms become more efficient and easier to work in. It’s all about simplification.
Begin with this basic laundry supply list.
Laundry Supply Checklist
Liquid Detergent
Baking soda – a gentle detergent booster and natural fabric softener
Borax – a detergent booster and aid that is gentle, cleans, deodorizes, softens water, and helps get rid of stains
Chlorine bleach – a must have for disinfecting and whites.
Color Safe bleach – safe for colored fabrics, added to presoak or wash water with detergent
Washing soda or sodium carbonate – presoaking or as a detergent builder
White vinegar – softens water, whitens fabrics
Fabric Softener – comes in dryer sheets, liquid form
Stain Remover – commercial variety or create your own DIY Stain Removal Kit
Download and Print Laundry Supply List
Stain Removal Kit
Stock these items to effectively and naturally remove stains: cornstarch, to absorb fresh grease stains; oil solvents, or dry-cleaning fluids, for greasy residue; combination solvents and a mild, clear dishwashing liquid for all-purpose stain removal; natural bleaching agents (lemon juice and white vinegar); glycerin, for ballpoint ink; and eyedroppers and cotton swabs, for easy application.
Martha Stewart Stain Removal Chart Whites without Bleach
Whites can also be lightened with 1/2 cup of borax or white vinegar mixed into one gallon of water during the wash cycle. For an extra brightening boost, hang laundry in the sun for natural bleaching.
DIY Fabric Softener
Residues from fabric softeners and their fragrances can aggravate allergies and sensitivities and leave buildup on moisture sensors or lint screens, blocking airflow.
For a DIY fabric softener, add between 1/4 cup and 1 cup white vinegar to the final rinse cycle (never mix vinegar and chlorine bleach).
Dr. Bronner’s is one of the most popular liquid Castile soaps available. Most markets stock this, but you can also get it at Amazon.com.
- 2 1/4 cups liquid castile soap
- 1/4 cup white distilled vinegar
- 1 tablespoon glycerin
- 3/4 cup water
Combine all ingredients into a plastic container or squirt bottle. Shake once or twice before adding to the wash. To use, add 1/4 cup per average load; 1/2 cup for extra large or heavily soiled loads.
DIY Powder Laundry Detergent
- 2 cups finely grated bar soap – Mrs. Meyers works great (do not use the box grater from the kitchen!)
- 1 cup borax
- 1 cup washing soda
Mix well and store in an airtight container.
Use 2 tablespoons per load. (MintLife)
Washer and Dryer Maintenance
To keep the all important washer and dryer working efficiently, it must be regularly maintained. Weekly, wipe the washer’s interior with a clean, damp cloth, then run a short hot wash cycle with detergent; rinse the empty machine with a plain water cycle. At least once a month, disinfect with chlorine bleach solution on a short hot wash cycle. To prevent the dryer from overheating, clean the screen or filter after every use, and remove accumulated lint from behind the dryer.
Checklist
Objective: to stock and restock necessary laundry supplies
- Print the Stain Removal Chart above and post in the laundry.
- Print the Laundry Supply Checklist to have as a resource.
- Inventory current supplies and add to what you currently have if necessary.
- Create a stain remover kit and contain items in clear, labeled storage.
- Tomorrow
Linen Closet
GET THE BOOK:
Easy Steps to an Organized Life in 31 Days or Less (Amazon.com)
