Increase Laundry Room Storage With A Spice Rack Hack

You walk into your laundry room and witness a disaster waiting to happen. A tower of leaning detergent bottles is on the verge of collapsing, and that elusive box of fabric softener is still nowhere to be found. The first thing that comes to mind is how desperately you need a more efficient laundry room storage solution — one that makes your wash days feel like an effortless task. As unconventional as it sounds, if you have a tiny gap between your washer and dryer or between a cabinet and the wall, a narrow sliding spice rack that pulls out on tracks might be just the thing that gives you more space, especially if your laundry room is currently at or nearing capacity.

Of all the ways to organize your laundry room, this hack is relatively simple. You'll essentially attach the rack to a cabinet or appliance, which can be executed in a few steps. In the end, you'll have an arrangement that helps to reduce countertop clutter and opens up cabinet space for other items that may require more room.

To use a pull-out spice rack for laundry storage, start by measuring the gap where you plan to install the rack. Depending on the type of sliding rack you use, you can customize it to fit your space. Next, purchase a spice rack like the Rev-A-Shelf Kitchen Wall Cabinet Pull-Out Organizer from CabinetParts or a similar style that can accommodate a narrow space. 

You could also build a pull out spice rack using plywood. Cut the wood into panels for the base, shelves, and sides. Then, use wood glue and finishing nails to connect the pieces. Next, mount drawer slides to the side of the cabinet and the adjacent wall or appliance. Double check that the rack glides in and out smoothly. Finally, attach the cabinet face frame and handles.

For a budget-friendly version, go the repurposing route. If you have a narrow bookshelf you were planning to donate or throw out, convert it into a pull out spice rack by adding a handle or knob to one side and attaching a set of appliance rollers to the bottom. This would allow you to create a larger pull-out rack with more storage. Once the rack is ready for use, fill it up with your most-used laundry supplies.

Before implementing a pull-out spice rack, take stock of the size of the items you plan to store. This particular spice rack hack is ideal for storing laundry detergent pods, fabric softener sheets, stain removers, oxygen boosting products, and other supplies that can be transferred to smaller containers. Otherwise, traditional detergent bottles may be too large to fit on a narrow spice rack and could require an alternative laundry room shelving idea. Finally, review the cabinet materials: make sure you stick to water-resistant products that can withstand exposure to heat and moisture, especially if your laundry rack will be situated close to the washer and dryer.

If your laundry room has enough space for a slim pull-out cabinet, this hack can be a practical and space-saving solution. It's especially useful for small homes or apartments where clever storage ideas mean utilizing every inch. And, if you're someone who primarily purchases eco-friendly laundry detergent brands — many of which use intentionally minimal packaging — the limited shelving space shouldn't pose much of an issue.