This Hamper Makes My Laundry Trips (and Relationship) Run More Smoothly

When it comes to hampers, some people like to have multiple compartments so they’re able to organize their clothes by type or color. But in the case of my double-duty hamper, it doesn’t hold whites in one and color in the other, but serves as a separator for my clothes and my fiancé’s. Behold, our saving grace, the $40 BirdRock Home Double Laundry Hamper

Let me back up a bit: I’m fully aware that Sam and I might not be your average couple when it comes to doing laundry. When we first moved in together, we never had a conversation about how we would merge our laundry habits into one. Rather, it was an unspoken thing that we agreed to do our laundry separately—and in our own fashion.

During our time as Manhattanites, I would schlep my clothes to the laundromat down the block while Sam would drop his off across the street to the dry cleaners (sometimes he would take mine, too, if I asked). However, our hamper was one large circular compartment that we would throw both our clothes into, causing confusion, frustration, and a whole lot of time-wasting.

We just moved to a new (and much less of a shoebox) apartment, and with that, decided to upgrade our hamper to a two-compartment situation. At the time, I didn’t think much of it beyond replacing our former gross version. But as we started figuring out our separate laundry routines in a new locale, it started to dawn on me how much less stressful the process had become. With a section that I can call my own, there’s no more annoyance in seeing the hamper full even before I threw one thing in or taking energy to separate my belongings from Sam’s before the long laundry process begins.

There are a few additional pluses to this beaut of a hamper (besides being a peacekeeper). First, the laundry bags are removable and have handles so we don’t have to transport our clothes to a separate vehicle for the laundromat. Second, the liners are also washable, so we can keep this laundry basket clean and therefore long-lasting. Third, there is a securable lid that keeps our dirty laundry out of sight and out of mind—a lifesaver for when you just don’t want to deal.

So, if you’re like me and like to keep my laundry business separate from my partner’s, this hamper might be for you. Although “no fights guaranteed” isn’t part of the warranty, I can personally say it’s done an outstanding job for us.