These Laundry Basket Types Will Keep You Organized And Add Function

Laundry day runs much more smoothly if you have a system set in place. Rather than throwing your dirty clothes into a heap by the washer or at the foot of your bed, investing in a laundry basket helps streamline the process of cleaning your clothes. However, laundry baskets aren't a one-size-fits-all type of item. They come in various forms that serve different functions, and each one is tailored to a specific house layout or user need. To help you narrow down which one would best serve you and your laundry room, we have rounded up some of the best laundry basket types to help you stay orderly. These include collapsible types, laundry basket organizers, ones with wheels, types with lids, and options that can be hung.

Having various types of laundry baskets to choose from might seem a bit "extra," but when you stop to consider the matter, it's necessary. For instance, a single person living in a studio apartment needs a different kind of basket than a person living in the suburbs with a family of five. The former would be better served with a collapsible basket, since space is their main concern, while the latter would find a three-bag organizer more valuable, since the family could automatically sort their laundry into colors or types. With that in mind, let's dive into these five different laundry basket types and figure out which one best suits your home. 

Those who live in a small apartment or home can use a collapsible laundry basket to help add functionality. These options can completely collapse when not in use. There are two types of foldable baskets: tall and short ones. The tall ones are useful because they're very lightweight. This is especially great for people who don't want to lug a heavy container to and from the laundry room. However, the small ones are a great choice for a secondary basket, which you can use to either transport your dirty clothes from your apartment to your laundry room or to move wet clothes back upstairs to drip dry. Both will fold flat when you're done, making them easy to store. 

These baskets come in all sorts of different designs, allowing you to choose the one that best fits your needs. For instance, Lifewit's two-pack of Laundry Hampers on Amazon for $20 are striped blue and white, made from polyester, and quite large, which is perfect for someone who likes to do their laundry once a week or every other week. For those who want a more stylish alternative, there is the Folding Laundry Hamper from H&M for $55, which has a more contemporary design. And for those who want a small basket, there is the Simplify Collapsible Plastic Laundry Basket at Walmart that costs $24.

Do you like to keep your laundry basket in your bathroom but the laundry room is on the other side of your house? Rather than having to lug a heavy load across your living space, make the task easier by investing in a laundry cart with wheels. This will make doing laundry much less labor-intensive, especially if your laundry room is on the same floor as your hamper so you don't have to go up and down the stairs. However, there isn't a one-size-fits-all for this option, either. You can choose the design that best works for your situation. 

For instance, if you want to be able to easily throw your laundry inside the basket, get one that's uncovered. A good example is the Homlikelan Large Laundry Hamper on Amazon, which costs $25. This comes with an exterior handle that makes it easy to pull and a drawstring mesh cover on the inside. On the other hand, if you need to take your laundry downstairs to a laundry unit or across the street to a laundromat, select a more travel-friendly design such as the Sterilite Ultra Wheeled Hamper at Walmart for $20. This option has two wheels and a retractable handle, allowing you to pull it like a suitcase. You can also make your own rolling laundry cart out of a hamper with TikTok's clever DIY.

Do you have a large family and sorting their laundry into designated color piles takes ages? Or do you just dislike having to do that extra step and wish there was a way to streamline it? If that's your situation, then trade in your current hamper for a laundry basket organizer, which comes with multiple bags to help you sort your dirty laundry right away. Most come with a three-bin system that makes laundry day less intimidating, which are earmarked for darks, whites, and colored pieces. But if you want to get more nitty-gritty with it, you can also choose one with four or five bags. This could be great for families with a baby whose clothes need different detergent or for those who have dirty work or gym gear they want to wash separately. These options typically also have wheels, providing you with the best of both worlds.

The Tajsoon Laundry Sorter Cart is a great example, as it has five sturdy bags designated for darks, lights, whites, colors, and towels. It costs $70 on Amazon. If you don't have the space for such a robust sorter, then consider getting the traditional three-bag version. If you don't necessarily need it to be labeled and want it to blend in with your decor, consider getting the Jewem Laundry Sorter Cart, which is $26 on Amazon. It also has wheels and six different colorways to choose from.

There are all sorts of reasons why you would want a laundry basket with a lid. Maybe the only space to store it in your apartment is your closet, and you don't want the stinky laundry smell to permeate your clean clothes. Or perhaps you have it in your bedroom, but you want to avoid constantly being face to face with your soiled garments. A lid not only helps contain bad smells, but it also hides the dirty clothes from view and can make the basket appear more like decor. This makes a basket with a lid ideal for those who really care about aesthetics.

For instance, the La Jolla Basket from Serena & Lily has a sleek woven design, and the matching lid makes it look more like a decorative container than something you put your dirty socks in. This is more of a luxury option, as the small basket is priced for almost $100. The Graphic Millet Lidded Baskets from West Elm for $116 to $188 give off a similar vibe. However, if you're less about form and more about function (and affordability), then you can't go wrong with a lidded basket like the Willa Natural Hyacinth Hamper from World Market, which has a flat weave design and a lift-off lid. This $40 hamper also has a liner which would make it extra easy to transport your dirty clothes to your washing machine on laundry day.

Hanging laundry hampers are great for spaces with little room because they're designed to be hung on the back of a door or on a wall. This is great for everyone from college kids living in small dorms to people living in studio apartments to folks who just have small laundry rooms. You can even hang it on the back of your kids' or teens' bathroom door, encouraging them to toss their dirty clothes in the hamper rather than on the floor. 

There are all sorts of hanging laundry hampers to choose from, so select one that works best for your situation. For instance, if you want something that stays on the door, you will need one that makes unloading a breeze. The two-pack of MaxGear Hanging Laundry Hampers from Amazon have a zipper on the bottom and cost $22 total. The zipper allows you to remove dirty clothes with a quick zip, negating the need to remove it from the door. On the other hand, if you don't have an in-unit washer or dryer, you will want your hamper to be easy to travel with. The Ligereza Hamper Bag from Amazon for $17 folds up like a bag and has handles for easy transport. Another option is the two-pack of Earssa Hanging Laundry Hampers with Carry Handles, which are made out of plastic and can also be folded flat for easy transport when not in use. They're also available on Amazon and cost $30.