How to Buy a Laundry Hamper
Decide how you want to manage your laundry., Consider how and where you will transport your laundry hamper., Determine the location of your laundry hamper., Assess the level of moisture in clothes that will go into the hamper., Think about the...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Decide how you want to manage your laundry.
Your strategy for laundry sorting will depend on the type of laundry you're washing.
Sort by colors, such as whites, brights and darks, to ensure that like items are washed in the appropriate temperature, using the appropriate detergents and laundry additives.
Some hampers come with 3 separate compartments, and even have labels to denote what color laundry they hold.
Sort by type, such as machine washable, hand washable and dry-clean only, to make sure items are not ruined by improper cleaning methods.
Depending on the volume of laundry you have for each category, you may want to choose different sizes of laundry hampers for each one.
Sort by person in your household to encourage individual responsibility for laundry.
Different styles or colors of laundry hamper work well for this, and some laundry hampers can be labeled or embroidered with the owner's name. -
Step 2: Consider how and where you will transport your laundry hamper.
You may need to transport laundry up or down stairs, or even to your car.
The conditions under which you plan to move your hamper will determine whether you need one with wheels, handles or a curved shape to balance on your hip.
Transport needs may affect the size of hamper that works best for you, since a fully-loaded hamper can be heavy. , The appearance of your hamper will matter more if it is in a place visible to guests than if it is hidden away.
Additionally, if you're short on space, a compact design might be the best choice. , If you'll frequently fill your hamper with damp items like towels or workout clothes, you should choose one with substantial ventilation.
This will help prevent odors and mold. , A hamper that holds large bath towels will need to be larger than one that only holds hand-washable undergarments.
If you do laundry once a week, you might need a smaller hamper than someone who does laundry once a month.
Babies (especially newborns) can go through a great deal of laundry in a week, and might actually need larger hampers than school-aged children. , Choose a plastic hamper if you want something relatively inexpensive, durable and easy to clean.
Plastic hampers are lightweight and easy to carry, but they are not always attractive.
Pick a cloth hamper if you want a hamper that is lightweight and breathable.
Prices can vary widely depending on the design, but generally cotton fabric hampers are cheaper than canvas ones.
Cloth hampers can be embroidered with the owner's name or the type of laundry that they're intended to hold.
Some cloth hampers can be machine washed.
Select a wicker hamper or bamboo hamper if you want a range of attractive styles to choose from.
These hampers tend to be more expensive than cloth or plastic, and most cannot be easily cleaned.
Choose a wooden hamper if you want something to match other wooden accessories in your home or to create a designer look.
Wooden hampers are generally the most expensive options, and you must make sure they aren't exposed to wet laundry, since damp wood can warp. , Discount stores, department stores, home furnishing stores and stores that sell organizing items are all places that usually have multiple types of laundry hampers in stock.
Prices generally range from $10 to 100, depending on the style and brand of hamper. -
Step 3: Determine the location of your laundry hamper.
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Step 4: Assess the level of moisture in clothes that will go into the hamper.
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Step 5: Think about the volume of laundry you have.
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Step 6: Consider the style of hamper you want to buy.
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Step 7: Shop for your laundry hamper.
Detailed Guide
Your strategy for laundry sorting will depend on the type of laundry you're washing.
Sort by colors, such as whites, brights and darks, to ensure that like items are washed in the appropriate temperature, using the appropriate detergents and laundry additives.
Some hampers come with 3 separate compartments, and even have labels to denote what color laundry they hold.
Sort by type, such as machine washable, hand washable and dry-clean only, to make sure items are not ruined by improper cleaning methods.
Depending on the volume of laundry you have for each category, you may want to choose different sizes of laundry hampers for each one.
Sort by person in your household to encourage individual responsibility for laundry.
Different styles or colors of laundry hamper work well for this, and some laundry hampers can be labeled or embroidered with the owner's name.
You may need to transport laundry up or down stairs, or even to your car.
The conditions under which you plan to move your hamper will determine whether you need one with wheels, handles or a curved shape to balance on your hip.
Transport needs may affect the size of hamper that works best for you, since a fully-loaded hamper can be heavy. , The appearance of your hamper will matter more if it is in a place visible to guests than if it is hidden away.
Additionally, if you're short on space, a compact design might be the best choice. , If you'll frequently fill your hamper with damp items like towels or workout clothes, you should choose one with substantial ventilation.
This will help prevent odors and mold. , A hamper that holds large bath towels will need to be larger than one that only holds hand-washable undergarments.
If you do laundry once a week, you might need a smaller hamper than someone who does laundry once a month.
Babies (especially newborns) can go through a great deal of laundry in a week, and might actually need larger hampers than school-aged children. , Choose a plastic hamper if you want something relatively inexpensive, durable and easy to clean.
Plastic hampers are lightweight and easy to carry, but they are not always attractive.
Pick a cloth hamper if you want a hamper that is lightweight and breathable.
Prices can vary widely depending on the design, but generally cotton fabric hampers are cheaper than canvas ones.
Cloth hampers can be embroidered with the owner's name or the type of laundry that they're intended to hold.
Some cloth hampers can be machine washed.
Select a wicker hamper or bamboo hamper if you want a range of attractive styles to choose from.
These hampers tend to be more expensive than cloth or plastic, and most cannot be easily cleaned.
Choose a wooden hamper if you want something to match other wooden accessories in your home or to create a designer look.
Wooden hampers are generally the most expensive options, and you must make sure they aren't exposed to wet laundry, since damp wood can warp. , Discount stores, department stores, home furnishing stores and stores that sell organizing items are all places that usually have multiple types of laundry hampers in stock.
Prices generally range from $10 to 100, depending on the style and brand of hamper.
About the Author
Henry Mitchell
Specializes in breaking down complex lifestyle topics into simple steps.
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