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The laundry room junk drawer—the notorious black hole where random odds and ends vanish—can quickly become overwhelming.
From spare buttons and tangled cords to forgotten stain removers and mystery keys, this drawer tends to collect everything except what you actually need.
But don’t worry! With a few simple steps, you can transform your chaotic junk drawer into an organized, functional space that makes life easier.
1. Empty Everything Out
Start by removing everything from the drawer. Yes, it may look like a disaster for a moment, but this is a crucial step. Laying everything out allows you to assess what you actually have rather than just shifting the mess around.
2. Categorize Items
Sort your items into groups—cleaning supplies, sewing kits, batteries, and miscellaneous objects. This process helps you identify duplicates (do you really need five tape measures?) and determine what truly belongs in the drawer.
3. Get Rid of Unnecessary Items
Be honest with yourself. Dried-out pens, expired coupons, broken clothespins—if it’s useless, toss it. If you haven’t used something in over a year, chances are you don’t need it.
4. Relocate Misplaced Items
If you find things that belong elsewhere, move them to their rightful places. Extra tools? Put them in the toolbox. Birthday candles? They belong in the kitchen, not next to dryer sheets.
5. Use Drawer Organizers
Prevent future clutter by using dividers or small bins. These help keep everything in its place instead of turning into a jumbled mess. Adjustable organizers are especially useful for customizing sections to your needs.
6. Store Tiny Items in Small Containers
Loose buttons, safety pins, and random screws can quickly scatter everywhere. Keep them contained in mini jars, pill organizers, or even repurposed mint tins for easy access.
7. Label Sections
To maintain order, label different sections of the drawer. This ensures that everything has a designated spot, making it easier for everyone in the household to keep the system in place.
8. Proper Battery Storage
Instead of letting batteries roll around loosely, store them in a case or small container. Keep different types separated—mixing old and new batteries can drain their charge.
9. Remove Duplicates
Unless you run a professional laundry service, you likely don’t need multiple fabric markers or three pairs of scissors in the same drawer. Pick the best ones and donate or relocate the extras.
10. Create a “Lost & Found” Section
If your laundry room doubles as a lost sock haven, designate a small bin or container for misplaced buttons, single socks, and other stray items. This keeps them from cluttering the drawer while providing a go-to spot for retrieval.
11. Use Drawer Liners
A liner makes cleaning easier and prevents spills from becoming a bigger mess. A non-slip liner is even better to keep everything in place.
12. Maximize Vertical Space
If your drawer is deep, take advantage of tiered organizers or stackable bins to make the most of the available space.
13. Rotate Seasonal Items
If your drawer holds lint rollers, fabric fresheners, or special garment care tools, switch out seasonal items as needed to avoid unnecessary clutter year-round.
14. Set a Maintenance Schedule
Don’t let the mess creep back in! Set a reminder to declutter and reorganize every few months to maintain a functional space.
15. Establish Household Rules
Once your drawer is neatly arranged, ensure everyone in the household knows the new system. The best way to keep it organized? Stop treating it as a dumping ground for random junk.
A cluttered laundry room junk drawer might seem like a minor issue, but organizing it can significantly improve the functionality of your space. By sorting, decluttering, and implementing a simple system, you’ll prevent chaos from taking over again—and always find what you need when you need it.
So why not set aside 15 minutes today to give your junk drawer a fresh start? You’ll be glad you did!
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Luna Travis(https://serenitytalks.com/)