Hanging Laundry Bags Tutorial
My favorite DIY projects are the ones that make my life easier, and this one has saved me so much time and grief! This hanging laundry bags tutorial is a game changer.
I used to have one of those laundry sorters alongside my washer and dryer, but the bags were such a pain to get on and off in the tight space. I would end up leaning over and digging out the clothes little by little. Which would, of course, put stress on the frame, and a pole would eventually snap out of place. It drove me crazy!
I love my house, but my laundry room is tiny. So anything I used had to be space efficient. And I don’t like storing dirty clothes in the bedrooms because dirty clothes stink, especially if you have kids. During the school year, my kids always come home smelling like “school.” There is a distinct smell about the place that I don’t like.
So I finally decided to do hanging laundry bags. It got rid of the frame, so I can easily reach in and grab the bag in the back. And using the wall as the support is a lot more reliable than a flimsy frame. And it looks so much cuter! Now I just pull the bag off the wall and dump the contents in the washer. Each bag holds a load worth and we sort the laundry as we go, so I just dump the bag in once it gets to the top.
Making the Hanging Laundry Bags
You can buy hanging laundry bags on Amazon, but they can be a little pricey. So I made my own with some cheap muslin fabric.
You don’t need a pattern – they are basically a big rectangle. So you just decide how long and wide you want them. Your rectangle should be the desired length, plus 2.5 inches for the bottom and top seam. Then you should take the width you want and double it. For example, by bags are 32 inches long by 23 inches wide. So the rectangle I cut out was 34.5 x 46. I then added a hem along the 46-inch side. Then folding the fabric in half, I sewed together a short size and the long side, then turned the fabric right side out so that you couldn’t see the seam. And you now have a bag!
To make the tabs for it to hang on, I got some canvas ribbon and cut it to size. Creating a loop, I sewed on iron-on patching to hold it in place and to distribute the weight that would hang off the fabric. It decreases the chances that it will tear out. I placed the loops just a few inches from each side of the seam so that the seam would mostly be hidden against the wall. It also allows the bag to naturally sag open when hanging. I thought about adding something to hold the top of the bag open, but I have found that this works just great.
Once I had ironed it on, I sewed around the edges and an “X” through the middle to reinforce it.
Making the Hooks
If you are going to hang something heavy from your wall, you are going to want a stud. But with studs, you can’t exactly decide where you want to hang each hook. So I created a base out of MDF that I painted with chalkboard paint that I could then screw into the wall where the studs are.
The base is strong enough to support the hooks, so you can place them where you want without being worried they will tear out of the wall. If you plan ahead, you might be able to space it so that you can put a couple of your hooks over the screw heads. That way you can hide the screws under the hooks.
I bought these double prong hooks on Amazon so that two bags could hang off one hook.
I spaced the hooks evenly where I wanted the bags attached and then screwed them in! If you want, you could also use an already made hook rack.
And then with chalk, I wrote what each bag was supposed to hold. I like to wash sheets, PJs, socks, and towels in hot water, so you will notice I have a dark and light “hot” bag. The one in the back is for whites that I don’t want to be washed with dirtier stuff. I am picky about my laundry, if you hadn’t sorted that out all ready.
My laundry room is super tiny and I do wish it was bigger, but now it is so much easier to use. And it is pretty too!
Do you like the chalkboard on my door? I use that for out-the-door reminders or “go get ’em!” messages they can see as we head out.
