Are you facing a daunting task every time you check the laundry hamper? That’s not uncommon. Luckily there’s an easy solution — a laundry sorter.
A laundry sorter allows you to drop certain fabrics and colors into separate compartments. That way, you don’t have to toss everything out and sort through it before washing.
There are a variety of different sorter styles out there, which can be overwhelming if you’re not sure what you’re looking for. This guide has been written to help you select the best laundry sorter for your lifestyle to make laundry days a breeze.
To create this list, we studied expert advice and real customer reviews and applied our experience with these handy baskets.
- Sturdy steel frame
- Strong casters with brakes
- Easy to clean the bags
- Natural woven finish
- Removable cotton liners
- Comes with a lid
- Folds up easily
- Budget-friendly
- Mesh lining prevents mold and odors
- Includes machine-washable polyester bags
- Comes with handles for pushing the cart
- Adjustable height clothes hanger
- Incudes four durable bags
- Sturdy steel frame
- Comes with brakes
- Elegant design
- Comes with a lid
- Removable laundry bags
- Removable bags
- Sleek design
- Has a foam top for ironing
Product Reviews
It’s important to be selective when it comes to everything laundry-related, as nobody wants discolored or frayed clothes. We’ve put together our top picks of the best laundry sorters available. Based on real customer reviews and our own experience, we picked laundry sorters that are durable, practical, and available with a variety of features.
Simple Houseware 3-Bag Laundry Sorter
Best for Busy Families
The Simple Houseware laundry sorter takes a busy household to the next level of organization. Three durable bags, each with a 13-gallon clothing capacity, allow you to separate your items immediately into your preferred washes.
This sorter is on a cart, and its heavy-duty solid steel frame includes an additional horizontal bar behind to keep the bags secure. Sturdy casters are provided to take on heavy loads and roll smoothly across wood and carpet surfaces. Two of the casters include brakes to position the cart securely.
Pros
- Three durable 13-gallon bags.
- Sturdy, durable steel frame.
- Strong casters with brakes.
- Easy to clean the waterproof bags.
- Available in five different colors.
- Easy to transport across various floor types.
Cons
- Some customers found it tricky to assemble.
- No lids for the baskets — won’t contain odors.
- The bags have a chemical smell upon arrival.
Product Specs
| Frame dimension | 30.5 by 17.5 by 33 inches |
| Bag dimension | 23 by 15.5 by 8.5 inches |
| Number of compartments | Three |
| Available colors | Chrome, Silver, Bronze, Dark Gray, and Assorted |
| Wheels? | Yes |
Our Ratings
BirdRock Home Divided Hamper with Liners
Best Design
The BirdRock Home laundry sorter stands out from the others in this list due to its beautifully woven finish.
It’s available in two colors of natural materials: espresso (woven abaca fiber) and honey (woven seagrass fiber). Its design coordinates well with wood furniture and seamlessly blends into the bedroom.
The interior is divided into two compartments, allowing you to separate your whites and darks. Of course, you may also utilize this for two peoples’ separated loads. Each compartment is lined with machine-washable cotton canvas liners.
A lid in the same woven finish keeps your laundry hidden from view, perfect for privacy.
Pros
- Natural woven finish available in two colors.
- Removable cotton liners that are machine-washable.
- Lid to keep laundry private.
- Spacious bags hold more laundry.
- The hampers are removable, making them easy to carry to machine.
Cons
- Weighs 17 pounds overall which is uncomfortable to carry.
- Very expensive price point.
- The inner bags move around quite a lot.
Product Specs
| Frame dimension | N/A |
| Overall Dimensions | 28 by 14 by 27 inches |
| Number of compartments | Two |
| Available colors | Brown wash, Honey |
| Wheels? | No |
Our Ratings
Mesh Popup Laundry Hamper
Best for Tight Budgets
The Mesh Popup Laundry Hamper is a simple and practical sorter designed to suit all budgets and meet most requirements.
Made of a sturdy mesh, the hamper folds up easily and comes with two durable handles, making it easy to transport.
This sorter’s not much of a looker, so it’s great that you can fold it away from sight. It’s also excellent for traveling — it shouldn’t take up too much space at the bottom of a suitcase.
Two compartments allow you to separate your loads. The wide opening at the top allows easy access to larger items such as towels. It’s sturdy, so it can handle whatever bulky items you throw in it.
Pros
- Folds up easily for travel.
- Budget-friendly price point.
- The mesh design prevents moisture and odors.
- Two handles make for easier transport.
Cons
- Laundry is visible, so it’s not as private.
- Hard to carry when completely full.
- The handles might rip after a few trips to the laundry room.
Product Specs
| Frame dimension | N/A |
| Overall Dimensions | 10.1 by 7.8 by 1.8 inches |
| Number of compartments | Two |
| Available colors/designs | Black or White |
| Wheels? | No |
Our Ratings
Seville Classics 3-Bag Laundry Hamper
Best Laundry Sorter for Multi-Taskers
Seville Classics makes a mobile, triple-bag, heavy-duty laundry sorter with a built-in clothes rack. This rack is valuable, serving as a fourth-category sorter or a place to hang items to dry. Perhaps you could use it to store clothes that are dry-clean or hand-wash only.
The entire cart has been designed to provide maximum benefit for laundry day tasks.
Begin by sorting your laundry into generously sized (10lb capacity) cotton-polyester canvas bags. The three bags allow you to separate between whites, colors, and darks or between people in your household. Each bag is also removable and machine washable.
The cart also has a sturdy metal frame with handles for pushing. The two-inch wheels (with brakes) allow the cart to move smoothly.
Pros
- Three large, machine washable, cotton-polyester bags.
- Handles to push that cart.
- Built-in height-adjustable clothes rack.
- Holds 70 pounds of laundry in total.
- The frame and bags are easy to clean.
Cons
- Industrial design won’t appeal to everyone.
- The bags rip easily at the seam.
Product Specs
| Frame dimension | 19.5 by 30 by 33 inches |
| Bag dimension | 9.5 by 15.75 by 23.3 inches |
| Number of compartments | Three |
| Available colors | Chrome |
| Wheels? | Yes |
Our Ratings
Simple Houseware 4-Bag Laundry Sorter
Best for Big Families
Another sorter by Simple Houseware, this larger one is ideal for bigger families with a high turnover of washing. It has four durable bags, one more than the previous cart.
This is excellent for separating each person’s laundry. Or you can buy one for each person. Perhaps your kid is going through a phase of Stinky Sports Stuff, Pretty Princess Dresses, or the Everything-I-Own-Is-Bright-Red.
Each bag has an 11-gallon clothing capacity for those dense laundry pile-ups. The cart’s solid steel frame includes an additional horizontal bar behind to keep the bags secure.
Sturdy casters are provided to take on heavy loads and roll smoothly across wood and carpet surfaces. Two casters include brakes to position the cart securely and avoid movement.
Pros
- Four durable 11-gallon bags.
- Sturdy and durable steel frame.
- Brakes included keeping the unit in place.
- Great for big families.
- The bags are waterproof and easy to clean.
- Bags are removable, so you can easily transport them to the machine.
Cons
- Bags are uncovered and won’t contain odors.
- The bags won’t hold many oversized garments.
- Not the most heavy-duty construction.
Product Specs
| Frame dimension | 32.25 by 17.5 by 33 inches |
| Bag dimension | 23 by 15.5 by 7.5 inches |
| Number of compartments | Four |
| Available colors | Chrome, Silver, Bronze, Dark Gray, Assorted |
| Wheels? | Yes |
Our Ratings
Simple Houseware Double Laundry Hamper with Lid
Best Laundry Sorter for Smaller Loads
The third sorter by Simple Houseware is well-suited for a couple who want to do their own loads. It’s a lightweight and elegant option for keeping your laundry hidden from view. It’s also a great compact size for closet space or bathrooms.
Made of durable polypropylene material, this hamper has two compartments, handles, and a lid. The lightweight material allows the hamper to be moved easily from room to room.
A key feature is the removable laundry bags within each compartment. These allow you to leave the hamper in a room if you only want to take one bag with you. Hence, it’s great for couples, roommates, or siblings!
Pros
- Elegant design that fits most home decor.
- Lid keeps laundry hidden from view.
- Removable laundry bags.
- Available in a variety of colors.
- Compact enough to fit in closets.
- Easy to assemble.
Cons
- The compartments are small and fill up fast.
- Not the sturdiest construction.
- The Velcro inside comes loose, and the bags can fall down.
Product Specs
| Frame dimension | 23 by 13.75 by 22.75 inches |
| Bag Dimensions | N/A |
| Number of compartments | Two |
| Available colors | Black, Pink, Grey, Brown, Dark Blue, Beige, Dark Grey, Turquoise |
| Wheels? | No |
Our Ratings
Whitmor 3 Section Rolling Laundry Sorter
Best Choice for Organization
Whitmor’s sorting, folding, and ironing station has a sleek and clever design. It allows you to separate your laundry and iron clothes in the same space for added convenience.
Three ample bags are removable and made of a breathable mesh to encourage ventilation among your clothes. This is a downside when a company is over or kids are around. Do you really want them to see an embarrassing sweater from your parents?
The frame is made of heavy-duty metal, and commercial-grade swivel wheels are provided for ease of movement. Two of these wheels lock, which is vital when you’re using the folding and ironing board function.
The foam top serving those functions is particularly useful for people with smaller laundry rooms. It saves you from cluttering up your space with an ironing board or an extra counter for folding clothes. Keep it all in one place, on top of the cart, to get the job done.
Pros
- Removable bags make it easy to transport laundry to the machine.
- Sleek design fits most spaces.
- Foam top is suitable for folding and ironing clothes.
- Breathable mesh designs increase ventilation.
- Heavy-duty frame made of metal with epoxy coating.
Cons
- Laundry is visible through the mesh.
- Bags break easily, and replacements aren’t available.
- The frame might start to break after a couple of years.
Product Specs
| Frame dimension | 18.23 by 32.5 by 33.38 inches |
| Bag Dimensions | N/A |
| Number of compartments | Three |
| Available colors | Off-White |
| Wheels? | Yes |
Our Ratings
| Product | Best | Frame dimension | Bag dimension | No. of compartments | Wheels? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simple Houseware Laundry Sorter | For Busy Families | 30 x 17.5 x 33″ | 23 x 15.5 x 8.5″ | 3 | Yes |
| BirdRock Home Divided Hamper | Design | N/A | 28 x 14 x 27″ | 2 | No |
| Mesh Popup Laundry Hamper | For Tight Budgets | N/A | 10.1 x 7.8 x 1.8″ | 2 | No |
| Seville Classics Laundry Hamper | Laundry Sorter For Multi-Taskers | 19.5 x 30 x 33″ | 9.5 x 15.75 x 23.3″ | 3 | Yes |
| Simple Houseware Laundry Sorter | For Big Families | 32.25 x 17.5 x 33″ | 23 x 15.5 x 7.5″ | 4 | Yes |
| Simple Houseware Laundry Hamper | Laundry Sorter For Smaller Loads | 23 x 13.75 x 22.75″ | N/A | 2 | No |
| Whitmor Rolling Laundry Sorter | Choice for Organization | 18.23 x 32.5 x 33.38″ | N/A | 3 | Yes |
How to Choose a Laundry Sorter
A simple tool for a simple task, it may seem easy to choose a laundry sorter. Any old one will do, right? Alas, it’s not so easy.
There are several different factors to consider, and we’ll take a look at a few.
Number of Compartments
Most laundry sorters come with two or three compartments. A double-compartment sorter is handy for separating whites from darks, one person’s clothes from another, or natural fibers from synthetic ones.
However, two compartments might not be enough, especially for larger families. A third compartment is super handy for an extra person. Or you can use it for storing towels, delicates, or colored clothing.
Consider how many different compartments would benefit your life and laundry style when separating your clothes.
Design
Where would you like the sorter to be in your home? If it’s in the bedroom, then you may be looking for an elegant design to complement your furniture. In the hallway, you might want something more compact.
Laundry sorters come in various colors and materials, so you can find something that best fits your home decor.
Portability
Sometimes you need to move your sorter from room to room. Maybe you all have separate laundry baskets, now in need of combining and sorting.
A cart with wheels is the perfect solution for doing laundry on the move. If you don’t like the look of a cart, a lightweight hamper is a better option.
Special Features
Some sorters are designed with other features to assist with other laundry tasks, such as a folding or ironing board or a clothes rack. These could be useful if you are limited in space and prefer to work in one area of your home.
FAQs
How Can I Be More Organized With My Laundry?
The best starting point to be more organized with your laundry is to invest in a laundry sorted like this SimpleHouse model. It has multiple compartments to help you sort out your dirty clothes, and it is affordable.
Here are some extra tips:
- Sort Right Away: Don’t dump your clothes on the floor when you undress. Place the dirty garments in the corresponding hampers.
- Label Hampers: If you want everyone in the family to be on board with your laundry organization system, label your hampers.
- Create a System: Choose a system that works best for your household. For instance, separating by colors might work best for you. Others might prefer to separate by clothing material.
- Use Mesh Bags: Mesh laundry bags are excellent for organizing laundry and keeping delicates safe. You can use mesh laundry bags for small items, like baby socks, bras, underwear, and bathing suits.
- Stick to a Schedule: Create a schedule for your laundry. For example, wash your sheets on a Saturday, your clothes on a Monday, your kids’ clothes on a Wednesday, and so on. Find something that works for you and get the family involved.
- Organize Cleaning Supplies: This is one of the essential tips. Have a product for all kinds of fabrics and stains, and label them. Know which is which, and teach the family so that they can help with laundry responsibilities.
How Big of a Laundry Basket Do I Need?
The size laundry basket you need depends on several factors, including family size and the amount of laundry you have. Most measure 23 inches by 10.5 inches by 17 inches.
Should Laundry Baskets Have Holes?
Laundry baskets should have holes (mesh) so that damp and dirty clothes can breathe. It also reduces the chances of mold and mildew from taking hold and ruining your garments.
Where Is the Best Place To Put a Laundry Basket?
The best place to put a laundry basket is as near to the washer and dryer as possible. If you have a dedicated laundry room, keep it there, or place it on a shelf nearest the laundry facilities.
If you don’t have a laundry room, you can keep your basket where it’s most convenient for you. For example, an ensuite bathroom is handy.
How Do You Deodorize Laundry?
The best way to deodorize laundry is to add 1/2 cup of baking soda to the laundry cycle. You can also use a dedicated fabric deodorizer like Febreeze Fabric Spray. It kills the bacteria that create foul odors and refreshes your clothes.
Laundry Sorted
Whatever the scale of your laundry may be, a suitable laundry sorter will help you feel like a domestic-chore champion. You’ll be one step ahead whether you do one load of washing per week or two loads per day.
Watch and enjoy as those whites stay white, cottons stay soft, and enjoy saving yourself time and hardship. Who likes kneeling in front of the washer in a sea of laundry, sorting at the last minute? Certainly not us!
Sort as you go, and avoid the tear-jerking hellscape of the laundry apocalypse.
