Photography Jim Smith, iStockphoto; styling Chantal Davison (magazine), Melissa Norton (TV); concept Chris Cort

laundrymakeover

8

Attach open shelves

to a wall close to the

laundry tub, so laundry

powders and other

chemicals are stored

up high, well away from

children’s reach. Opt to

store powders and pegs in

attractive, retro-inspired

tins that complement your

new colour scheme.

9

Go for a storage unit

with deep drawers and

use canvas cases as internal

dividers. This way, you can

keep like items together,

such as socks that need to

be paired up. Invariably, the

partners of single socks

turn up several washes later!

^

Even with twin

sinks, a plastic tub —

coordinated, of course -

is useful for pre-soaking

clothes, not to mention

doing double duty as a

party drinks’ ice tub.

4 4 Store small tools on

i

I a framed pegboard.

You can even hang a row

of mini trays and baskets

from it for spot cleaners,

shoe brushes, lint removers

and loose coins.

^

O

Create bench

I

C

- ) I

D

space where

you can because it’s as

necessary in the laundry

as it is in the kitchen. A

good option is a flat-pack

two-drawer unit fitted with

a laminated pine worktop

(right). This top is washed

with white paint for a limed

effect. To do this, simply

brush white ceiling paint

over the surface then,

wiping in the direction of

the grain, use a damp cloth

to remove the excess paint.

Once dry, apply two coats

of Cabot’s Crystal Clear

Satin to protect the finish.

Decorator’s tips

■ It’s a fact: stains happen. And the longer they’re

left, the harder they are to remove. So it’s a good idea

to assemble a handy stain-removal kit for your laundry

that contains basics such as WD-40, salt, white vinegar,

dishwashing liquid, lemon juice, bicarbonate of soda and

tea-tree oil. Use these items to help remove common stains,

such as red wine, grass, sweat, grease and oil marks from

your clothes. Your kit will also need sponges, clean cloths

and a scraping tool, such as a pallet knife.

■ Photocopy the Stain Removal Kit (opposite). Then

laminate it and store it with your kit so you don't have

to go searching when you need it most!

For shopping details, see Stockists page

BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS, APRIL 2011 bhg.com.au

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