“Laundry baskets are essential for keeping your laundry organized and off the floor, piled up,” says Chantelle Malarkey, an interior designer and lifestyle expert. “It also helps with family members who tend to just toss them wherever they land—specifically with children.” The baskets themselves come in a variety of shapes and sizes, ranging from flexible ones to mesh-material options. To find the best laundry baskets, we researched a variety of picks, keeping in mind size, material, weight, and care. We also consulted experts Mallarkey and Samantha Hoff, interior designer, lifestyle expert, and founder of Pottery with a Purpose. Overall, the best laundry basket was the Simple Houseware Double Laundry Hamper because it’s made with lightweight material and has a securable top, as well as two easy-to transport laundry bags. Here are the best laundry baskets. smells from infiltrating your room. Keep in Mind: It isn’t as large as other laundry baskets. Thanks to the included lid, you can close off the top of the laundry bin to keep your dirty laundry out of sight. The best part? The hamper has removable laundry bags that make it easy to transport them to your laundry room, ensuring that you don’t have to bring the entire basket with you each time you do laundry. Just keep in mind that this style isn’t as large as some other laundry bin styles, so it’s not ideal for larger households. Price at time of publish: $33 Product Details: Size: 23 x 13 x 22.75 inches | Material: Polypropylene | Weight: 5.74 pounds | Care: Wipe with a wet cloth Keep in Mind: It’s on the smaller side, so you may not be able to fit as much as some other picks. This pick is on the smaller side in comparison to other options, so keep that in mind if you’re using it to collect laundry for a household of people. However, if it doesn’t suit your needs, you can always use it for storage for linens, children’s toys, and other house accessories. Price at time of publish: $6 Product Details: Size: 14.25 x 11.5 x 15 inches | Material: Polyethylene | Weight: 1.1 pounds | Care: Store in a cool, dry place and away from direct sunlight Upgrade your traditional laundry basket with this cleverly designed one from Simplehuman. It’s built with heavy-gauge steel bars and a sturdy, polyester material, preventing it from buckling—even when it’s packed with dirty clothing and about to spill out everywhere. Keep in Mind: It’s made with heavier materials like steel, so it’s best to remove the bag to take the laundry down. The laundry bag also has durable steel handles, so you can easily remove the bag from the frame and carry it to your laundry room without having to lug the entire basket. In addition, the bag itself is machine washable and created with a stain and odor-resistant coating to keep it fresh and easy to clean. And, while it’s an investment, the brand has a 5-year warranty that’ll protect your purchase. Price at time of publish: $150 Product Details: Size: 16.5 x 20 x 29.7 inches | Material: Recycled polyester, steel | Weight: Not listed | Care: Machine washable (hamper bag) Keep in Mind: It’s more expensive than other similar options. The basket itself is designed with reinforced steel and a soft, polyester material, so it’s both sturdy and lightweight. Don’t be fooled by the fabric construction, however—it can carry a load capacity of up to 55 pounds. The basket features handles on both sides, so it’s easy to transport to your laundry room or laundromat. There’s no lid, however, so you’ll want to be mindful that none of your clothes are spilling out the sides of the basket. Price at time of publish: $45 Product Details: Size: 23 x 15 x 13.25 inches | Material: Polyester, plastic | Weight: 4 pounds | Care: Not listed Keep in Mind: It has a slim shape that may not fit as much clothing as some other options. The basket is made of sturdy polyester fabric and has a drawstring mesh cover to keep laundry safely secured and off of your floor. If you’re concerned about a wheeled pick, keep in mind that there’s an additional brake on one of the wheels that’ll prevent it from rolling away. Plus, the slimmer style can be folded into a portable size in case you need a little extra floor space. Price at time of publish: $20 Product Details: Size: 7.87 x 2 x 15 inches | Material: Polyester | Weight: 1.7 pounds | Care: Machine washable Keep in Mind: Even though it’s stackable, it’s not foldable or as compact as other options so you’ll still need room to store it. The basket is offered individually or in a case of six. Although they aren’t foldable or as compact as some other picks, the design is meant to be stackable with each other, so storage shouldn’t be an issue as long as you have the space. Price at time of publish: $17 Product Details: Size: 23.5 x 16 x 11.75 inches | Material: Plastic | Weight: Not listed | Care: Not listed Keep in Mind: There’s no lid, so you’ll have to be mindful of any overflow. The basket is made of natural cotton and is machine washable, so it’s easy to keep in good condition. Soft handles make it comfortable to carry around, even when it’s filled to the brim. Plus, the basket’s slouchy shape is designed to stay in place even when you fold it flat for transportation. However, you can always fill it with other items if you see it begin to lose shape. Just keep in mind that there’s no lid, so you’ll have to be mindful of any overflow. Price at time of publish: $32 Product Details: Size: 22 x 22 x 14 inches | Material: Cotton | Weight: 3.96 pounds | Care: Machine wash gentle, air dry, and steam any creases Keep in Mind: It doesn’t have a cover, so laundry may easily overflow. The basket is made with large, comfortable handles that make carrying it as easy as can be. The best part? It can fold up seamlessly if you’re low on storage space. Just remember that unlike traditional laundry baskets, this design doesn’t have a lid so you’ll have to be mindful of overflow. Price at time of publish: $30 Product Details: Size: 15 x 15 x 17.72 inches | Material: Cotton | Weight: 3.39 pounds | Care: Not listed Keep in Mind: There aren’t any handles, which could make it difficult to transport. In addition to the wired frame, the laundry basket comes with a cream cloth liner to protect your clothing from any accidental stains or mishaps. Plus, it has a tall and deep round shape that provides ample space for your dirty laundry. Just keep in mind that this pick doesn’t include any built-in handles, which could make it difficult to transport. Price at time of publish: $12 Product Details: Size: 20 x 14 x 23.6 Inches | Material: Metal | Weight: 3.4 pounds | Care: Spot or wipe clean Keep in Mind: It’s small than some other options and may not fit as much clothing. Unlike some other laundry baskets, this style easily folds away, so you can easily store it or take it on the go. It’s suitable for both dry and wet clothing, so you won’t have to worry about the fabric getting damaged during use. Just keep in mind that it’s on the smaller side for a laundry basket, so it may not hold as much clothing as some other picks. When you’re not using it for laundry, it makes a great storage option for toys, books, or magazines. Price at time of publish: $53 Product Details: Size: 21.3 x 14.2x 10.4 inches | Material: Bamboo | Weight: Not listed | Care: Sponge clean Keep in Mind: The mesh siding may rip easily during use. Its mesh build allows air to circulate and get rid of any excess moisture or odors, which is ideal for those who may have laundry piling up. With two top handles, it’s easy to carry the laundry basket to the laundry room or laundromat. Plus, it easily folds up so it’s easy to pack up if you need to. The mesh material may not hold up well with excessive use and large piles of laundry but the basket is less expensive than other options and is offered in a set of two, so you’ll be able to get a replacement if you need it. Price at time of publish: $8 Product Details: Size: 14 x 13 x 24 inches | Material: Mesh | Weight: 0.51 pounds | Care: Not listed Keep in Mind: It’s a bag so it can get quite heavy if it’s filled to the brim. Made with cotton canvas, this Triple Sorter Bag from The Laundress uses a built-in divider to give whites, darks, and hand-wash-only clothing a designated spot in order to make laundry day a bit easier. The collapsible laundry bag can easily be thrown into a suitcase, so it’s a great option if you’re headed on vacation or just want to store the pick between uses. Just keep in mind that the bag may get a bit heavy when it’s filled to the brim. Price at time of publish: $34 Product Details: Size: 30 x10 x 19 inches | Material: Cotton canvas | Weight: Not listed | Care: Not listed
What To Know About Laundry Baskets Before Shopping
Size
Laundry baskets are offered in a variety of sizes, with some being tall and slim and others short and wide. In terms of size, take into consideration where you plan to store the laundry basket. Whether it’s the corner of your bedroom or inside a closet, measure the space to confirm that it’ll fit. “The wider the basket is, the easier it is for putting folded clothing back into it,” Hoff says.
Material
Laundry baskets are offered in a variety of materials, like plastic, canvas, and polyester. The material you choose for your basket really depends on how you plan to use the basket. For example, if you’re moving into a dorm room and need a compact option, folding options made of cloth materials are the best laundry baskets to consider. However, if you’re looking for a more stylish pick, sturdy, woven options are worth considering. With fabric options, however, ensure that they’re suitable for both wet and dry clothing. “Plastic is lightweight and durable, but it’s not my first choice due to them cracking and not being as environmentally friendly as others,” Malarkey says. “A woven, sustainable basket will last long yet is still aesthetically pleasing to look at.”
Weight
Overall, the heavier the basket weighs, the harder it is to carry it when it’s full. “Depending on the material of the basket, I’d say it should weigh 2-3 pounds maximum,” says Malarkey. “It’s easier on the basket and it’s best for maneuvering around.”
Care
When selecting a laundry basket, you want to make sure it can be washed or cleaned easily. “Baskets with canvas liners are the easiest to wash since you can simply throw the liner into the wash with a load of laundry—but don’t forget, you will also have to tackle the actual hamper, which will need to be hand washed,” says Hoff.
Your Questions, Answered
Where should you keep your laundry basket?
The best place to keep your laundry basket is your bedroom or closet. “This is so you can remember to use it and not the floor,” explains Hoff. “You should avoid the bathroom since it is damp in there and more likely to have mold or mildew build-up.”
How much can a full laundry basket weigh?
Baskets all have their weight limits, but the weight really varies based on what you put in the basket. Overall, it really depends on the laundry basket since they all vary in size and material.
Should you clean a laundry basket?
Although the task of cleaning your laundry basket can definitely get overlooked, it’s imperative to clean your laundry basket. “You are putting dirty items into the basket, so the basket will get dirty,” explains Hoff. “Not only should you wash your basket when you see they are soiled, you should also make sure to regularly wash them since you can’t see germs or bacteria with the naked eye.”
Who We Are
This story was written by Rachel Dube, a freelance writer who has written for a wide variety of publications. To find the best laundry baskets, she consulted experts like Chantelle Malarkey, an interior designer and lifestyle expert, and Samantha Hoff, a DIY interior designer, lifestyle expert, and founder of Pottery with a Purpose. She also took factors like size, material, weight, and care into account.
