indoors
G ET ORGANIZED
6. TOP STORY
A freestanding table offers storage.
Helen’s two boys can grab clothes
stacked on the top. The iron rests on
a heat-resistant old enamel tray. Varde
base cabinet, $349; ikea.com
7. OUT OF SIGHT
Drawers conceal mending supplies,
extra dryer sheets, stain removers, and
the inevitable pile of unmatched socks.
8. HOLDING POINT
Baskets are used to tote clean rags and
towels to their proper rooms. Closed
boxes store seldom-used table linens
that need ironing before use.
9. HANG TIME
A vintage drying rack has arms that fold
in when not in use. If you can’t find an
antique version, modern ones are
available. Eight-arm wall dryer (similar to
shown), $22; lehmans.com
CLEAN CUTS
Save time— and
even money—with
a few tweaks to
your laundry
routine.
■ Get thrifty A
tablespoon of fabric
softener rubbed
into a washcloth
takes the place of
expensive dryer
sheets. (Use an odd-
color washcloth to
differentiate it from
everyday ones.)
■ Sort quickly
Helen bought one
white and one black
laundry basket to
make it crystal-clear
to her kids where to
toss their dirty
lights and darks.
■ Lessen
wrinkles
Reduce
ironing tim e by
removing items
from the dryer
when they’re damp.
W rinkles iron out of
damp item s easier
than over-dried
ones. Many clothes
won’t need ironing
if you put them on
hangers right away.
7 0 FEBRUARY 2009 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS
