6 Things You Should Never Store In Your Laundry Room

If your laundry room offers some extra storage, it may seem tempting to fill it up with all sorts of other items that have been cluttering up your space and in need of a permanent home. However, interior designers warn, there are many types of items that you should never store in the laundry room, no matter what. Below, they highlight six categories in particular that you will want to house elsewhere. 

Entertaining Supplies

Even if you love to host often and your home is practically overflowing with related accessories, note that the laundry room isn’t the place for this kind of storage. “Though not used daily, consider storing tableware items such as beautiful glasses and special china in an open cabinet in the dining or living room,” says Francesca Herro, the founder of Francesca Herro Interiors in Houston, Texas. “These items should have pride of place where they can be used to give a dressier room a more personal touch.” 

Food Or Pantry Items

Don’t let your laundry room turn into a place to store bulk food purchases. “It may seem convenient to use laundry space for pantry overflow, but the heat and humidity generated by the washer and dryer can pose a serious problem with perishables,” says Margie Kaercher, the founder of Hearth & Honey Homes in Tampa, Florida. 

Paper Towels And Toilet Paper

Even basic household items such as paper towels and toilet paper are better off kept elsewhere, Kaercher adds. “The humid environment causes them to absorb moisture and over time can lead to moldy paper products, making them unusable,” she says, and recommends keeping them inside of a pantry or linen closet instead. 

Pet Crates

The laundry room isn’t your cat or dog’s bedroom. “Never put a cat litter box or dog crate in a laundry room,” says Claire Thompson, the founder of Claire Thompson Design in Jackson, Mississippi. These items are better suited for a dedicated spot in the mudroom, allowing the laundry room to provide a fresh, clean oasis.”

Cleaning Supplies

The laundry room may seem like a great place to store cleaning supplies, but you should think twice before doing so. “Things such as bug spray, extra bleach, fertilizers, and more should be stored elsewhere to ensure the combination of fragrances and chemicals doesn’t overwhelm,” explains Courtney Peters, the founder of Courtney Peters Interiors Design, also in Jackson.

Hobby Items And Decor

Craft supplies, holiday decor, photos, or other similar odds and ends do not belong in the laundry room, either. “Each room in your home needs its designated identity and service, and laundry is already enough of a headache as it is,” Peters says. “Don’t make it more difficult on yourself by adding clutter through hobbies you may never pick up or ornaments and heirlooms that could get bumped into and broken.”