15 BITS OF KIT THAT EVERY LAUNDRY GUY NEEDS. IN ORDER.
1. NOISE-CANCELLING HEADPHONESThis is serious work. It’s also a seriously good chance to zone out. Invest in a good pair—we love Sony WH-1000XM5, but you do you—then tee up whichever podcast, audiobook, YouTube channel or sweet dulcet tones you love, and, well, crank it. This is your time.
2. DELICATES BAGSYou’ll need three. Just trust us. The Laundry Guy Starter Pack will sort you right out.
3. LOOSE CHANGE JARThe good kind of money laundering. Any money found in pockets belongs to you.
4. BAR FRIDGEMarathon laundry-doing can be thirsty (and hungry!) work. Stay well fuelled and fold responsibly.
5. SMALL SCREEN TV (OR BIG, YOUR CALL)If this needs explaining you might be in the wrong place.
6. SORTING BINSShort of having a laundry chute—every Laundry Guy’s dream!—you’re going to want sorting bins for lights and darks in each bathroom so by the time that pile of dirty laundry gets to you, the sorting is halfway done!
7. LAUNDRY BASKETSRogue socks! Dangling sleeves! Attempting to carry a pile of washing in your bare arms in a fool’s game. You’re gonna need laundry baskets for getting clothes from A to B. Get one for each person at your place. When in doubt: more is always more.
8. DETERGENTYou’re not an ordinary guy, so avoid standard detergent and fabric softener. The Laundry Guy Starter Pack includes sustainable Space White laundry sheets. They are sensational. Like laundry guys.
You’ll also want soap for woollens and delicates. It’s also the one that is used for hand washing and usually has a bit of a eucalyptus angle. Go for whichever brand you love, but we like the ones that are easy on the environment. It’s a Laundry Guy thing.
9. STAIN REMOVERSGot kids? Say less. You’re going to need a powder for soaking and a spray to dig into tough stains. The ones in the pink packaging work a treat.
10. WASHING MACHINE(S)
This is GO BIG or go home territory. We’re talking 10kg bad boys (some Laundry Guys have two!). We’ll share our recommendations shortly.
11. DRYERSThese things can be an energy suck and put out a truckload of exhaust. Pay a little extra for the better environmental star rating. No indoor dryer? You need the Swiss Army Knife of drying racks. We send all our Laundry Guy recommendations for kit like this.
12. BINThe destination for anything except cash found in pockets.
13. PEGSAre all pegs created equal? Probably. Don’t overthink it.
14. A PLACE TO FOLDNeed extra time to yourself? Fold. A lot. If you’re tight on space, make a lid to cover the laundry sink. (As if you needed another reason to visit Bunnings or Home Depot.)
15. IRONING STATIONIf you need to iron things out or let off some steam (see what I did there?), there’s a sure fire way to get more quality alone time. Upgrade your iron and your ironing board then throw on your noise cancelling headphones, turn on the big screen and sip your favourite beverage while crushing the ironing.
Whether you’re launching your own laundry takeover or getting your son ready for the real world, we’ve got the kit, tips and banter to get you started.
