The laundry is the room nobody thinks about until they move in and realise they have nowhere to put the detergent. Here's how to set it up properly from day one.
Nobody gets excited about setting up their laundry. It's not glamorous like the kitchen or satisfying like the bedroom. But you'll use your laundry 3-5 times a week for the next 30 years, and getting it right from the start saves you time, energy, and frustration every single week.
Most Australian first homes have a small, dedicated laundry room or a laundry cupboard — usually with just enough space for a washing machine, maybe a dryer, and very little storage. Here's how to make the most of it.
The Big Decision: Front Loader vs Top Loader
If you're buying a new washing machine for your first home, this is the most important choice. Both types clean well, but they suit different situations.
Front Loader
- Water usage: Uses 40-60% less water than a top loader. In water-restricted areas of Australia (most capital cities), this matters.
- Energy efficiency: Uses less energy per wash, especially on cold cycles.
- Spin speed: Higher spin speeds (1,200-1,600 RPM) mean clothes come out drier, reducing dryer time and energy costs.
- Space saving: You can stack a dryer on top, saving floor space in a small laundry.
- Gentler on clothes: The tumbling action is less aggressive than a top loader's agitator.
- Downsides: Longer wash cycles (1.5-2.5 hours vs 45-60 minutes), can develop mould and odour if the door is kept closed between washes, generally more expensive upfront.
Top Loader
- Faster wash: Most cycles finish in 45-60 minutes — half the time of a front loader.
- Easier loading: No bending down to load and unload. Better for people with back problems.
- Add-mid-cycle: You can open the lid and add forgotten items mid-wash.
- No mould issues: The open-top design drains and dries naturally.
- Cheaper upfront: Generally $200-$400 less than equivalent front loaders.
- Downsides: Uses more water, can't stack a dryer on top (takes more floor space), higher energy use, harsher on delicate fabrics.
Our recommendation for first home buyers: Front loader if your laundry is small (you'll want to stack the dryer) or if you care about water and energy savings. Top loader if you value speed and simplicity, or if you have a larger laundry with space for side-by-side appliances.
Browse front loader washing machines on Amazon AU →
Browse top loader washing machines on Amazon AU →
Do You Need a Dryer?
In Australia, the answer depends on where you live and your lifestyle:
- You probably don't need one if: You live in a dry, sunny climate (Perth, Adelaide, most of Queensland), you have a good clothesline or outdoor drying space, and you're not in a rush. Sun-drying is free, kills bacteria, and is better for your clothes.
- You probably do need one if: You live in a humid or rainy climate (Sydney, Melbourne winters, Brisbane summer storms), you live in an apartment with no outdoor space, or you have a busy lifestyle and can't wait for clothes to air dry.
Heat Pump vs Vented Dryer
If you do buy a dryer, the choice is between heat pump and vented:
- Vented dryer ($300-$600): Cheaper upfront, faster drying cycles, but uses significantly more energy (3-4 kWh per cycle vs 1-1.5 kWh for heat pump). Needs a vent to the outside or a well-ventilated room.
- Heat pump dryer ($700-$1,200): Uses 60% less energy than vented, no external vent required, gentler on clothes. The higher upfront cost is recouped within 2-3 years through lower energy bills. For a new home where you plan to stay long-term, heat pump is the better investment.
Browse heat pump dryers on Amazon AU →
Laundry Storage and Organisation
Australian laundry rooms are notoriously short on storage. Here's how to maximise what you have:
Over-Washer Shelving — $30-$80
The wall space above your washing machine is wasted in most laundries. A simple wall-mounted shelf or a freestanding over-washer unit adds 2-3 shelves for detergent, fabric softener, stain remover, and cleaning supplies. It's the laundry equivalent of over-toilet shelving — the single biggest storage win.
Browse over-washer shelving on Amazon AU →
Laundry Baskets — $15-$50
A sorting system saves time on laundry day. Use 2-3 baskets or a divided hamper: one for whites/lights, one for darks, and one for delicates. When a basket is full, it's ready to wash without sorting. A tall, slim basket fits better in small laundries than a wide tub. Browse sorting laundry baskets →
Folding Drying Rack — $20-$50
Even if you have a clothesline, a folding indoor drying rack is essential for rainy days and delicates that can't go in the dryer. A tiered rack that folds flat saves space when not in use. Stainless steel lasts longer than plastic-coated wire, which rusts within a year. Browse drying racks →
Wall-Mounted Ironing Board — $30-$60
If you iron (many Australians don't, and that's fine), a wall-mounted fold-down ironing board is a space-saver in a small laundry. It mounts to the wall and folds flat when not in use — taking up zero floor space. Browse wall-mounted ironing boards →
Cleaning Products Starter Kit
Stock these basics for your laundry from day one:
- Laundry liquid or powder: Liquid dissolves better in cold water (which saves energy). Omo, Cold Power, and Earth Choice are all good Australian options. $10-$15 for a large bottle. Browse laundry detergent →
- Stain remover: Sard Wonder Soap or Vanish Napisan for pre-treating stains before washing. $5-$10. Browse stain removers →
- Fabric softener (optional): Makes clothes softer and reduces static. Not essential — some people prefer to skip it, especially for activewear and towels (softener reduces absorbency). $5-$8.
- Wool wash: A gentle detergent for delicates and woollens. Essential if you have wool jumpers, suits, or silk items. $8-$12. Browse wool wash →
- Washing machine cleaner: Run a cleaning cycle with a washing machine tablet once a month to prevent mould and odour — especially important for front loaders. $8-$12 for a pack. Browse machine cleaners →
Small Space Solutions
If your laundry is a cupboard rather than a room:
- Stack your washer and dryer: A stacking kit ($30-$50) lets you mount a dryer on top of a front loader, halving your floor space. Make sure both appliances are from the same brand or use a universal stacking kit. Browse stacking kits →
- Use the back of the door: An over-door hook rack ($10-$15) holds the ironing board, drying rack, or a laundry bag.
- Slim trolley: A narrow rolling trolley ($20-$30) fits in the gap between the washing machine and the wall. Perfect for detergent bottles, cleaning products, and cloths. Browse slim trolleys →
Budget Breakdown (Excluding Appliances)
- Laundry baskets (2-3): $30-$50
- Over-washer shelving: $30-$80
- Drying rack: $20-$50
- Cleaning products starter kit: $30-$50
- Pegs, hangers, mesh bags: $10-$20
- Total: $120-$250
Laundry Tips Every New Homeowner Should Know
These tips will save you money, extend the life of your clothes, and make laundry day less painful:
- Wash in cold water: Modern detergents work just as well in cold water (30°C) as warm. Cold washing saves 80% of the energy per cycle — which adds up to $50-$80 per year in electricity. The only time you need hot water is for heavily soiled items, towels, and bedding (to kill bacteria and dust mites).
- Don't overload the machine: Stuffing the drum saves time but reduces cleaning effectiveness and puts extra strain on the motor and bearings. Fill to about 80% capacity for the best balance of efficiency and cleaning results.
- Clean your washing machine monthly: Run an empty hot cycle with a washing machine cleaning tablet to prevent mould, odour, and detergent buildup. For front loaders, wipe the rubber door seal after every wash and leave the door ajar between uses to let it dry.
- Use mesh laundry bags: Put delicates, bras, socks, and anything with zippers or hooks in mesh bags. This prevents damage, tangling, and lost socks. A pack of 5 mesh bags costs $8-$12. Browse mesh laundry bags →
- Hang clothes immediately: Taking clothes out of the dryer or off the line and hanging them immediately prevents wrinkles — which means less ironing. If something does come out wrinkled, 10 minutes in the dryer with a damp cloth on the "refresh" setting removes most wrinkles without ironing.
- Clean the lint filter every time: If you have a dryer, clean the lint filter before every cycle. A clogged filter reduces efficiency by up to 30% and is a fire hazard. This takes 5 seconds and saves money on every dry cycle.
Stain Removal Quick Reference
Stains are inevitable in a new home. Here's how to handle the most common ones before they set:
- Red wine: Blot (don't rub), cover with salt to absorb, then wash with cold water and stain remover. Hot water sets red wine stains permanently.
- Coffee/tea: Rinse with cold water immediately, then apply stain remover and wash as normal. Old coffee stains respond well to soaking in a mix of vinegar and dishwashing liquid.
- Grease/oil: Apply dishwashing liquid directly to the stain, work it in gently, let it sit for 15 minutes, then wash in the warmest water the fabric allows.
- Blood: Always use cold water (hot water sets blood protein). Soak in cold water with salt, then wash with enzyme-based detergent.
- Grass: Pre-treat with white vinegar or rubbing alcohol, then wash as normal.
Keep a stain remover spray (Sard Wonder or Vanish Napisan) in your laundry for immediate treatment. The faster you treat a stain, the more likely it'll come out completely. Browse stain removers on Amazon AU →
Clothesline Setup for Australian Homes
Most Australian homes have space for a clothesline, and sun-drying is free, kills bacteria naturally, and is gentler on clothes than a dryer. If your home doesn't have a clothesline installed, a fold-down wall-mounted line ($30-$60) or a portable rotary line ($50-$100) from Bunnings is an easy weekend project. Position it in a spot that gets afternoon sun and has good airflow. Browse clotheslines on Amazon AU →
Frequently Asked Questions
Front loader or top loader — which is better in Australia?
Front loaders are better for water efficiency (40-60% less water), energy savings, and small spaces (you can stack a dryer on top). Top loaders are better for speed (45-60 minutes vs 1.5-2.5 hours), ease of use (no bending, add items mid-cycle), and upfront cost ($200-$400 cheaper). For most first home buyers in Australian capital cities where water restrictions are common, a front loader is the smarter long-term choice. If speed and simplicity matter more, go top loader.
Do I need a dryer in Australia?
It depends on where you live and your lifestyle. In dry, sunny climates (Perth, Adelaide, most of Queensland), a clothesline handles most of the work and a dryer is optional. In humid or rainy climates (Sydney winters, Melbourne, Brisbane in summer storm season), or if you live in an apartment without outdoor space, a dryer is close to essential. If you buy one, choose a heat pump dryer — it costs more upfront ($700-$1,200 vs $300-$600 for vented) but uses 60% less energy and requires no external vent.
How do I organise a small laundry?
Think vertically: stack your washer and dryer, add shelving above the appliances, and use the back of the door for hooks. A slim rolling trolley fits in the gap beside the washing machine for detergent and cleaning products. Use a sorting laundry basket (with 2-3 compartments) instead of multiple baskets to save floor space. A wall-mounted fold-down ironing board takes up zero space when not in use. The key principle is the same as small bathrooms: use walls, doors, and vertical space instead of floor space.
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