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Are you super excited to do your laundry? Do you get a thrill from pouring detergent and a buzz from choosing wash cycles? The answer to these questions is almost certainly no (and if it’s yes, perhaps you need a hobby?) But washing our soiled clothes is one of those never ending, repetitive chores that we just have to deal with. To make things easier, take a spin through our picks for the best laundry baskets and hampers.
Our picks for the best laundry baskets and hampers
The best collapsible laundry basket: Sammart Collapsible Plastic Laundry Basket
For an item many people only use once a week or less, laundry baskets can take up an annoying amount of space. A collapsible one that can be slid under your bed, or stood sideways in a closet, then, is worth the investment. Speaking from personal experience, this basket is light but strong, able to withstand a piled-high load of soaking wet bedding or winter sweaters without complaint. It’s easy to collapse or reopen, and the rubberized handles make it comfortable to hold. I named mine Bernard. That’s how much I like it.
Specifications:
- Material: Polypropylene, plastic
- Dimensions: 18.10 inches x 14.20 inches x 8.25 inches
- Price on publish: $23.90
What we like:
- Saves space
- Easy to use
What we don’t like:
- Some customer reviews talk about it being hard to fold and reopen (I have personally not had this issue)
Sammart Collapsible Plastic Laundry Basket
The best laundry basket for college: CleverMade Collapsible Laundry Bin
College dorm rooms are the ultimate training ground for making the best possible use of limited space, as that plant pot/ashtray combo you had back in the day can attest. CleverMade lives up to its name with a laundry hamper perfect for such a space, collapsing flat when needed, but unfolding into a large enough size to accommodate at least two loads of laundry. Most convenient of all, it features two sturdy carrying handles for dragging everything down to the laundry room.
Specifications:
- Material: Polyester, linen, steel
- Dimensions: 18.75 inches x 13 inches x 21 inches
- Price on publish: $54.99
What we like:
- Sturdy
- Convenient
- Large
What we don’t like:
- A few customer reviews say the bag ripped fairly quickly, but these are very much in the minority
CleverMade Collapsible Laundry Bin
The best rolling laundry hamper: Sterilite Hamper With Wheels
Sometimes you just want something straightforward that gets the job done. This large, plastic hamper has two wheels and an extendable handle so you can roll it, suitcase-like, wherever you need to go. It also has a lid, side cut-outs for carrying, and has a capacity of 50 liters. Will you want to make it a focal point of your bedroom decor? No. Will you appreciate it when the time comes to haul laundry? Absolutely.
Specifications:
- Material: Plastic
- Dimensions: 21 inches x 14 inches x 29 inches
- Price on publish: $24.99
What we like:
- Functional
- Inexpensive
What we don’t like:
- A small number of customer reviews found it to be too flimsy
Case of 2 Hampers with Wheels White
The best laundry basket with wheels: Zzolee Laundry Basket With Wheels
For rolling smaller loads around, you want a basket rather than a hamper (we’ll get into the difference between the two later). Made of lightweight polyester, this basket folds down to just two inches high, so it can be tucked away somewhere out of sight between uses. When it’s time to roll out, just dump your clothes in, grab the sturdy handle, and off you go.
Specifications:
- Material: Polyester
- Dimensions: 15.2 inches x 7.5 inches x 22.8 inches
- Price on publish: $15.99
What we like:
- Small
- Foldable
What we don’t like:
- Some customer reviews say it’s a little flimsy
zzolee - Laundry Basket with Wheels, Slim Laundry Hamper with Laundry Cards, Ideal for Camper and Dormitory, 23x15x7.5 inch
The best hanging laundry hamper: Keepjoy Hanging Laundry Hamper Bag
For those who want to keep their laundry hamper out of sight, but don’t have much in the way of closet floor space, a hanging hamper (a “hangper”, if you will) that attaches to the inside of your closet door is an ideal solution. (That way, no one needs to see your underwear while it’s awaiting your next load of laundry.) Keepjoy’s version is surprisingly heavy duty considering the price, as well as being waterproof. Best of all, it has a handy zipper underneath for quickly dumping out all your laundry in one go. Ploof!
Specifications:
- Material: Oxford cloth, stainless steel
- Dimensions: 20 inches wide x 30 inches high
- Price on publish: $13.99
What we like:
- Zipper makes for speedy filling and emptying
- Saves space
- Inexpensive
What we don’t like:
- A handful of customer reviews say they wish the door hooks were sturdier
Keepjoy Hanging Laundry Hamper Bag
The best laundry hamper for small spaces: mDesign Vertical Stacked Laundry Hamper Basket
A more innovative solution to a lack of floor space is this vertical stacking double hamper. With a sturdy steel frame (complete with a wheeled base, for easy moving) and two roomy bags, this allows you to separate your darks and lights without sacrificing valuable space in the closet. Because the bags themselves unhook easily from the frame, you can also use each of them as individual laundry baskets.
Specifications:
- Material: Polyester, steel
- Dimensions: 16.8 inches x 13.8 inches x 58 inches
- Price on publish: $64.99
What we like:
- Innovative
- Locking wheels
What we don’t like:
- A small number of customer reviews complain that the bags ripped after minimal use
mDesign Vertical Stacked Laundry Hamper Basket
The best backpack-style laundry hamper: Azhido Backpack Laundry Bag
Unless you’re old enough to have lived through the days of hand washing everything before wringing it through a mangle, taking all your clothes to the laundromat is likely the most arduous laundry experience you’ve had. At least take the pain out of transporting your clothes with this incredibly useful hamper/backpack. Large and heavy duty enough to hold an industrial washer’s worth of stuff, you can sling it onto your back with its soft, padded straps, sealing it with the drawstring top. It even has a front pocket for holding your detergent.
Specifications:
- Material: Oxford cloth
- Dimensions: 15 inches x 15 inches x 28 inches
- Price on publish: $18.99
What we like:
- Lots of color options
- 115 liter capacity
What we don’t like:
- One or two customer reviews express the desire for a chest or waist strap to be included
Azhido Backpack Laundry Bag
The best divided laundry hamper: Storage Maniac 3 Section Laundry Sorter
Having separate hampers makes doing laundry so much easier. In my own experience using this hamper, I’ve found that having one bag for kids’ laundry, one for grown-up stuff that can go in the dryer, and one for clothes that need to be hung up to dry, means I don’t have to think about what goes where when the time comes to dump it into the washer. With a handy wheeled base and a simple hanging bag system that lets you take each individual bag off as and when needed, it’s a genuinely great hamper.
Specifications:
- Material: Polyester canvas
- Dimensions: 29.5 inches x 31.5 inches x 16.9 inches
- Price on publish: $69.25
What we like:
- Convenient
- Wheeled base
What we don’t like:
- Frame can get wobbly and requires tightening every so often
Storage Maniac 3 Section Laundry Sorter
Laundry baskets vs. hampers
Despite the two words often used to refer to the same thing, they’re actually two distinct receptacles with different functions. A laundry hamper, in whatever form it takes, is where you dump your dirty clothes while they wait for wash day, and will often have a lid. A laundry basket is what you use to carry said clothes to and from the washing machine.
How we selected the best laundry baskets and hampers
We made our selections through a combination of thorough research and personal experience, choosing only those options with a majority of positive customer reviews.
What to consider when buying laundry baskets or hampers
The main things to consider are how much laundry you’re doing, how often, and where you’re doing it. Your requirements as a single person living in an apartment, taking clothes to the local coin-op laundry every week or so, will be different from a family with young kids and laundry in the basement.
Quantity
If you don’t have kids, you will be shocked to know just how much laundry gets done every week. If you have babies or toddlers, you could even be looking at daily loads, depending on how messy things get. Whatever your situation, you need a laundry hamper large enough to hold all of your dirty clothes, without overflowing, between washes.
Frequency
Again, this is going to come down to your personal needs. If you’re washing more often, you can get by with a smaller hamper. If you’re only washing at the point where you literally have nothing left in your closet, you’ll want a jumbo hamper that can hold everything while you procrastinate.
Location
If you have to carry your clothes to the laundromat, then a giant, wicker laundry hamper isn’t going to be your friend. Likewise, if you’re hauling laundry to your basement, or your apartment building’s out-of-the-way laundry room, you’ll want a hamper/basket combo that makes transferring clothes between them, and then transporting them, easy and quick.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
How do you hide a laundry basket in the bedroom?
The most obvious answer here is to keep your laundry hamper in a closet. If that’s not an option, you could make a feature out of a bug by choosing a hamper that actually looks good as part of your decor. For some, that might mean an old school, wicker basket look that somehow makes your best linen sheets look stylish even in their messy state, for others, something more modern and functional. Either way, the idea is to get something that won’t stick out like a sore thumb (or rather, like a rumpled sack full of stinky socks). Failing that, you could try swapping your traditional hamper for a laundry bag, and hanging it from a hook behind a closet door.
Why do laundry baskets have holes?
Laundry baskets have holes for a few reasons, the first being simply that it makes them lighter. The more important reason is that it helps with air circulation, allowing moisture from sweaty or damp clothes to escape, helping to prevent the growth of mildew. (After all, if you’ve gone through the trouble to invest in the best bath towels or best bed sheets, you want them to last as long as possible.) Finally, if you’re looking for one stray item of clothing in the pile of clean clothes you haven’t gotten around to putting away, well, isn’t it easier to find it if you can see through the sides of the basket?
Where should you put a laundry basket?
As mentioned above, a laundry hamper should live wherever is most convenient for you: Ideally, somewhere that doesn’t ruin the look of your room, but still close enough to wherever you get undressed to be useful. A laundry basket, on the other hand, should be kept close to the washer and dryer, for easily transporting your clothes back and forth.
How do you stop a cat from peeing in the laundry basket?
The shortest answer to this question is: Close the lid of your laundry basket, and consider upgrading to a better litter box (an automatic litter box like the Litter Robot 4 may be your best bet).
If you’re looking to change your cat’s behavior, though, try the following advice from Dr. Sara Ochoa, co-founder of How To Pets:
Clean the litter box
“First and foremost, ensure your cat's litter box is clean–cats are naturally clean animals, and if their litter box is dirty, they may opt for other spots.”
Provide an attractive alternative
“Some cats may prefer covered litter boxes, while others may enjoy open ones. Experiment to see what your feline companion prefers.”
Provide multiple litter box options
“Sometimes, a cat may avoid the litter box due to overcrowding or inaccessibility. Make sure you have enough litter boxes for each cat in your household.”
Placement matters
“Cats prefer privacy when using their litter box. Ensure that the litter box is placed in a quiet and low-traffic area of your home, away from noisy appliances.”
Use the right cleaning products
“When cleaning the laundry basket or any areas soiled by the cat, avoid using ammonia-based cleaners. Ammonia resembles the scent of cat urine and might encourage the cat to revisit the spot. Opt for enzymatic cleaners specially formulated to break down pet urine odors.”
Use deterrence methods
“You can try placing aluminum foil or double-sided tape in the basket, as cats dislike the texture. Another option is to use a pet-safe deterrent spray or natural repellents like citrus scents.”
Address any medical issues
“If your cat's behavior changes suddenly and they start peeing outside the litter box, it's crucial to rule out any underlying medical conditions. Schedule a vet visit to get your cat checked for urinary tract infections, bladder stones, or other health issues that may be causing discomfort.”
Positive reinforcement and patience
“Changing your cat's behavior may take time and patience. Be consistent, and reward your furry friend with praise, treats, or playtime when they use the litter box appropriately. And know that punishment or scolding the cat for inappropriate urination is not productive and can make the problem worse.”
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