How to Keep Your Laundry Room Organized and Smelling Great

Your laundry room works hard — but it doesn’t have to look that way. Use this practical guide to declutter, add smart storage, control odors naturally, and make laundry day feel easier, not stressful.

Laundry · Organization · Fresh Smell

Turn your laundry area into a clean, fresh and functional corner

Perfect for small laundry rooms, multi-purpose basements, or mudrooms in Massachusetts homes.

Organized and fresh laundry room with baskets and detergents

The laundry room is one of the hardest-working spaces in your home — but also one of the easiest to let slip into chaos. Between piles of clothes, bottles of detergent and damp towels, things can get cluttered (and smelly) fast. The good news? With a simple structure and a few odor-control habits, you can keep it fresh all week long.

1

Declutter before you organize

Always start by removing everything from shelves, cabinets and the top of the washer/dryer. Toss expired products, empty bottles, broken hangers and single socks that lost their pair.

  • Keep only what you actually use weekly
  • Decant detergent and softener into labeled containers
  • Place a tray or basket underneath to catch drips

Golden rule: declutter first, organize second.

2

Use smart storage to maximize space

Even a tiny laundry room can feel organized with the right vertical storage.

  • Wall-mounted shelves: for detergents, towels and cleaning supplies
  • Over-the-door racks: perfect for ironing boards or cleaning sprays
  • Pull-out hampers: hide dirty laundry but keep it close
  • Clear bins: group items by type — stain removers, fabric care, dryer sheets

If you have the space, install a fold-down drying rack or a hanging rod for delicates — vertical space is your best friend in laundry rooms.

3

Keep the fresh smell — naturally

Laundry rooms trap humidity easily, which leads to that “wet towel” smell. Control the source, not just the scent.

  • Leave the washer door open for a few hours after each cycle
  • Run a monthly rinse cycle with 1 cup of white vinegar
  • Place a small jar of baking soda or activated charcoal on a shelf
  • Use essential oils (lemon, eucalyptus, lavender) on wool dryer balls
  • Wipe the washer gasket weekly with 1:1 vinegar + water

Pro tip: if the room is windowless, add a small fan or dehumidifier to move air.

4

Fabric care tips from the pros

A few professional habits will make clothes last longer and keep washer/dryer working better.

  • Sort by fabric type, not only by color
  • Wash jeans and towels inside out to reduce fading
  • Don’t overload the washer — clothes need space to move
  • Use cold water for most loads to save energy
  • Prefer eco-friendly, phosphate-free detergents
5

Add the final touches

Make the space pleasant — when a room looks good, people tend to keep it clean.

  • Add a small indoor plant to freshen the air
  • Use warm LED lighting to make the room feel open
  • Keep a diffuser or candle for a clean-laundry scent

When your laundry area looks and smells good, it stops being “just a utility corner” and becomes a small area of order and calm in your home.

When to call a professional cleaning service

If your laundry room shares space with your basement, mudroom or utility area, a seasonal professional cleaning can remove dust, cobwebs, detergent buildup and mold around washers.

Thalita’s Cleaning helps Massachusetts families keep high-traffic areas smelling fresh — from laundry rooms to bathrooms and kitchens.

Final thoughts

Organized + odor-free = low-stress laundry days. Declutter once, give everything a place, add natural odor control, and keep a 10-minute weekly reset. Your laundry room will stay clean, practical and guest-ready.