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From compact folding designs to nifty dual-compartment bags. Storage Drawer Cabinet
Laundry baskets are a household essential, keeping dirty clothes neatly concealed before they reach the washing machine. There are plenty of styles available, and investing in a decent one could even make laundry day less tedious and a whole lot more organised.
'If your laundry tools — such as baskets, bins, drying racks, accessories and rotary — are well-designed, it can make washing day a more pleasurable ritual,' says Twan Verdonck, creative director for homeware brand Brabantia.
Look for collapsible laundry baskets that can be tucked away after use, dual compartments for separating your whites from your colours, and wheels for easy transportation.
Below, we give you the lowdown on our best laundry baskets and hampers — along with the best Black Friday discounts.
Size is important, so check the dimensions before you buy. Small space dwellers may appreciate corner baskets or foldable options, while busy households will prefer larger hampers with multiple compartments for easy organisation.
If you often move your basket to the machine on laundry day, a design with carry handles or wheels will be easier to transport. Not all bins come with lids and covers, so think about whether you’d rather keep dirty washing hidden.
It’s important that the basket suits your scheme, too. Many bins in our edit come in muted colours or natural weaves to blend into any room, but we’ve also included some colourful designs if you prefer prints.
Really, it depends on the size of your home and how much laundry your household goes through. One large hamper should be sufficient for two people, while a big family may prefer several baskets or one each.
In terms of where laundry baskets should go, the obvious place is your bedroom where you’re going to be getting undressed. Bathrooms also make sense, as do landings and utility rooms, so that everyone has easy access.
'If laundry bins are at hand, it reduces laundry thrown on the floor or piling up on chairs,' says Twan. 'Make it convenient for everyone to reduce the work.'
Laundry baskets can smell musty if they’re not looked after properly, but this is easily avoidable.
Twan also advises keeping on top of your laundry pile on a frequent basis to keep unpleasant odours at bay. Try to be mindful though, and don’t wash clothes unless they’re actually dirty. 'Less washing is better for the environment and your clothes.'
Here we’ve picked out the best laundry baskets to suit all your needs, from compact folding designs to nifty dual-compartment bags.
Made from natural cotton rope, this laundry hamper wouldn't look out of place in rooms with Scandi or minimalist schemes.
The large 58 litre capacity holds plenty of clothes (but if it was up to us, we'd drape a lovely decorative throw over it, as pictured).
This four-wheeled basket, complete with a carry handle, should lessen the pain of lugging hefty loads to the machine.
With three compartments and a side pocket for underwear, you’ll never have to worry about mixing up lights and darks again. It also has a removable cotton liner and is foldable for easy storage.
Joseph Joseph is known for its space-saving products, so we're pleased to see a decent 15 per cent discount on this usually spenny basket.
This smart design has two roomy, removable compartments —one for sheets and towels and the other for clothes, or for separating lights and darks — with handles to help you cart your washing from your room to the machine.
It’s available in three colours.
Scandi interior fans will like this hamper from our House Beautiful Marketplace. Its smooth wooden design keeps things minimal but stylish, and we love the oval shape. It has a removable liner and rope handles for easy carrying.
A rectangular basket, also 15 per cent off, is available.
We’re always impressed with the quality of The White Company’s homeware, so it’s no surprise that we love the brand’s laundry basket. It’s expensive, but it comfortably holds up to four large loads of laundry and the removable cotton lining makes life much easier when carrying washing to the machine.
It looks great in the corner of the bedroom, with an intricate woven finish that’s handcrafted in Vietnam. The natural seagrass smells amazing, too.
Dunelm has a lovely coordinating bathroom range that includes this laundry basket, as well as a stylish storage box and caddy.
We were impressed with the hamper when we tried it, appreciating its timeless French cane weave and a slot in the lid for quickly dropping in socks and underwear.
The delicate wildflower motif on Urban Outfitters' cute laundry basket will pretty up a space, but it’s not all good looks; it features handles for easy carrying and a drawstring top to keep washing covered.
Yes, Brabantia’s bin is pricey, but we can vouch it’s a great investment.
Along with two spacious compartments, we liked its other handy features: a handsfree lid, a removable cotton lining with Velcro fastenings and ventilation holes to help moisture escape and prevent bad smells. An impressive 10-year guarantee sweetens the deal, too.
It’s also available in black.
At just £11, Habitat’s laundry basket is the most affordable option we've found. It looks basic but it gets the job done, with a generous 62L capacity and a drawstring opening to keep clothes out of sight. It also folds flat for easy storage.
Brabantia’s pop-up basket is really best used for transporting laundry as opposed to storing it. We found the strong bamboo frame made it easy to carry heavy loads and it can be tucked away when not in use.
Its smooth, water-resistant finish allows you to transfer wet clothes to your rotary or dryer without any damage to the fabric. It’s versatile enough to be used for general storage, like books and toys, and the two-year guarantee is a bonus.
Ideal for small homes, this space-saving basket should easily slot into the corner of your bathroom or bedroom. It has a removable cotton lining to prevent fabrics from snagging and the hinged lid will conceal your dirty washing. The smooth wooden design looks smart, too.
Habitat’s pretty floral baskets are a steal. They’re great for separating fabrics and colours or if you’ve got a constant stream of laundry, and they’re easily wiped clean with a damp cloth. They fold flat too so you can always store one away if it isn’t always needed.
This boho basket impressed our discerning team with its airy open frame and intricately woven structure. It’s big enough for several heavy loads and the lid is handy for keeping laundry undercover.
The structure is sturdy enough that clean washing can rest on top if needed, too.
Lauren is our Homes and Garden writer, covering the latest homeware trends, sales and launches for Good Housekeeping, Country Living, Cosmopolitan, House Beautiful, Red and Harper’s Bazaar.
On a daily basis, Lauren navigates the ins and outs of interiors – whether it’s offering tips on how to perfect a garden bar or trying out viral kitchenware. She is committed to finding the most reliable products and best-value deals, so readers can buy with confidence and save money.
Lauren has a BA in English Literature and Journalism and has worked in various editorial roles across Southeast Asia and North America. She previously wrote for a local London newspaper, covering everything from entertainment and lifestyle to politics and wellness.
When not writing, Lauren can be found bargain hunting for pre-loved trinkets and clothes at various car boot sales across the capital.
Follow Lauren on instagram @laurenkatehannah
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