We genuinely enjoyed testing this hamper at home. It offers plenty of room to gather clothing before laundry day. It may not be the most compact option, but we still think it’s a good choice for smaller homes or apartments where there might not be closet space to hide a hamper. When doing laundry, it’s essential to take precautions to prevent bed bugs from spreading to other areas of your home. Here are some tips to follow: See also Can bed bugs live in your washing machine? Using Hot Water and High Heat Settings to Kill Bed Bugs and Their Eggs We tested over 20 laundry hampers over a two-week period in our homes across the country to determine their effectiveness and durability. During this time, we incorporated the hampers into our regular laundry routine. We made sure to use the hampers in a variety of situations, such as holding clean and dirty laundry and transporting loads of various sizes. We also carried the hampers up and down stairs and wheeled rolling hampers across various types of flooring.

See also Do bed bug bites have pus in them? Reducing Bed Bugs by Washing All Clothing That Touches the Floor When closet space is limited and your laundry hamper will be put on display, a beautiful design is often preferable to a utilitarian one. The Pottery Barn Tava Handwoven Rattan Divided Hamper is made with handwoven rattan and equipped with practical features for daily use. We love the size of this hamper—it fit two full loads at a time in our at-home testing. We appreciate that it has two compartments that can be used to sort clothes from linens or light colors from darks. The lid fits snugly on the top of the hamper so you can also hide your dirty laundry between wash cycles. Though, we wish the lid were attached with a hinge so we didn’t have to fully remove the lid when tossing items inside the hamper. We also wouldn’t recommend storing wet clothing in the hamper, as air circulation seems limited. The well-ventilated design also prevents damp towels and sweaty workout clothes from becoming too smelly in between washes. Since the entire hamper is plastic, you can also easily wipe it down if it gets dirty. Plus, we’d be remiss not to mention the flip-top lid, which makes it convenient to keep items from falling out while en route to the laundromat. While this hamper is certainly a statement and not easily stored (due to the non-collapsible steel frame), we think it would suit a range of home designs, ranging from minimalist to mid-century modern. We don’t recommend storing wet clothes in it—but you can always wash the canvas liner if it begins to smell or look dingy. The main trade-off with this hamper is its price point. We recognize that not everyone is looking to make such an investment in a laundry hamper. However, if you are willing to splurge on a hamper with smooth-rolling wheels, the Steele Canvas Elevated Laundry Basket should be a top contender. Wash your laundry containers: Bed bugs can also hide out in your hamper or laundry container, so it’s important to clean these items regularly as well. Make sure to empty your hamper and wash it out with hot, soapy water on a regular basis to prevent any bed bugs from making a home there.When it comes to cleaning and protecting yourself from bed bugs, there are a few key steps you can take to ensure that these pesky insects don’t make their way into your home and onto your bed. Here are some tips on how to protect yourself from bed bugs when cleaning: Ventilation: Proper ventilation will go a long way in keeping the hamper — as well as your laundry room, bedroom or bathroom — smelling clean. Your hamper should not be completely sealed or it will trap odors. A laundry hamper that's constructed with a loose weave or made from a breathable material like cotton, linen or bamboo will be the best option for making sure air can properly circulate through your laundry to keep odors at bay. Speaking of hampers and laundry containers, it’s important to clean them regularly to prevent bed bugs from hiding out there. Here’s how: Whether you’re looking to make your first steps on the road to eco-friendliness, or simply trying to expand your arsenal of green living goods, our All-in-One Eco-Friendly Cleaning Hamper is just the thing for you. Time to say goodbye to the dangerous disposable items and turn a greener, cleaner and safer leaf with Eco Bravo. Eco Bravo’s All-in-One Eco-Friendly Cleaning Hamper will help you dramatically reduce your carbon footprint, eliminate toxins from your household, and remove plastics from your kitchen once and for all.

This basic laundry hamper from Home Logic is made from sturdy plastic. Plus, it has superb breathability, so you don’t have to worry about hamper odors. Some may find the design to be a bit underwhelming, especially if you’re looking for an aesthetically pleasing hamper that can be left on display. However, we appreciated this hamper’s size and how easy it was to use during our testing. The hamper comes equipped with four handles, so you can reposition it as you tote it from room to room, a major perk if you need to squeeze through doorways or climb stairs. We also loved that the plastic is easy to wipe down and clean when needed. Clothes hampers can harbor unwanted smells just like exercise clothes and bedding, so it’s important to consider your hamper’s intended use before purchasing. While natural woven materials can look great, plastic may be your best bet if you’re hoping to throw damp towels or smelly workout clothes into a separate clothes hamper. Some fabric hampers are now coated in a water-resistant spray, which helps to prevent mildew and smells, but we still recommend waiting for wet items to dry before placing them in a fabric hamper. A washable hamper—or one with a washable liner—is a good choice if you’re looking for an easy-to-maintain design. If you don’t keep your bedding and clothing clean, you run the risk of attracting bed bugs into your home. Bed bugs are attracted to body heat and the carbon dioxide we exhale, so they tend to congregate around areas where people sleep. Once they gain a foothold in your home, they can be difficult and expensive to get rid of, requiring the services of a pest control professional. Taking the time to wash and dry your bedding and clothing regularly is a simple and effective way to prevent a bed bug infestation. Tips for Preventing Bed Bugs from Spreading During Laundry Day From the jump, we were impressed with this hamper’s well-constructed design, which has an iron frame to keep it upright and open. It’s equipped with long handles that are comfortable to hold while carrying and sturdy enough to support the weight of several days' worth of laundry. While it isn't machine washable, the cotton fabric has a water-resistant PEVA coating, which makes it easier to wipe down. We do question the material’s stain resistance, especially on the areas with white and light gray stripes, but any concerns we had about long-term discoloration were far outweighed by the hamper's reliable design. Even if you follow all the tips above, bed bugs can still find their way into your home. That’s why it’s important to regularly inspect your bedding and clothing for signs of bed bug infestation. These signs include:Trying to reduce your carbon footprint? Looking for ways to replace disposable items with sustainable alternatives? Tired of worrying about your family’s exposure to toxins and dangerous chemicals? You’ve come to the right place. Tip: Use separate hampers for dirty clothing and bedding to avoid cross-contamination. How to Properly Clean Hampers and Laundry Containers to Avoid Bed Bugs We considered not only the ease of use of each hamper but also the design, and we monitored each hamper’s durability through consistent use. We noted any hampers that worked well with damp items and considered whether a hamper design could be used for other purposes, such as storing linens or children’s toys. After assessing each hamper’s performance over the two-week period, we reviewed the price of each hamper and considered whether it was reflective of the product’s features and value.

If you’re looking for a laundry hamper to help in folding, sorting, and transporting clean clothes from room to room, this design by SimpleHouseware is a great option. We appreciated the plastic-reinforced handles, which made the hamper comfortable to carry. Even better—the hamper, which is similar to a fabric storage bin, folds down very easily and is compact enough to store under a piece of furniture, in a corner, or on a shelf. If you’ve been on the hunt for an eco-conscious laundry hamper, we recommend the WarmGrey Company Washable Paper Bag. While it may seem questionable in concept, this bag’s design lives up to its claims. Not only is it designed with the environment in mind, but it’s incredibly versatile and easy to care for—just spot clean or handwash the hamper when it needs freshening up. In our testing, we also used this bag as an additional storage space for clean towels and washcloths in a bathroom, and we found it held six bath towels and more. First, you’ll want to consider the size and capacity of your hamper. If you live alone, a smaller hamper might suffice. However, if you have a family of six, you might need an extra-large hamper or several hampers for different rooms. Consider how much laundry your household produces, as well as how often you do laundry, to figure out the best hamper size for your needs. Tip: Consider using a bed bug-specific laundry detergent, which is designed to be tough on bed bugs but gentle on fabrics. Regularly Inspecting Bedding and Clothing for Signs of Bed Bug Infestation Hampers that contain compartments are a great way to keep laundry organized. You can separate darks, lights, colors, delicates, sheets, towels—whatever method is best for your needs. If you require multiple hampers, getting the same kind will help keep your spaces looking tidy.

Reducing Bed Bugs by Washing All Clothing That Touches the Floor

Vacuum the interior of the hamper or container, paying close attention to seams, corners, and crevices.