Wednesday, December 10, 2014

DIY: Roll Around Laundry Hamper with Screen Mesh Sides


Roll Around Laundry Hamper



When I was in college, I remember going to the local Laundromat.  I would throw all my dirty clothes in one washer, slap the machine on cold and do some homework.  

Sometimes I would use those industrial size machines if I couldn’t get everything in a regular size one.  After I got married I quickly realized the number of loads exponentially increases with each new family member.  

Now we do so much laundry that I try to find ways to cut down on the prep work before a load can be started.  Presorting is a wonderful idea.  Now if I could just convince everyone else in the house of that fact. 

I like this hamper design because it features open sides to allow lots of air flow.  Anyone who has ever put a slightly damp article of clothing in a hamper, (or found one) knows the importance of proper air flow.

The 3" swivel casters allows the unit to be rolled wherever is most convenient to grab some clothes and start a load.  Then it can be rolled back in place under a table or in a closet.

The three compartments allows you to presort laundry cutting down on the time it takes to sort a load and start washing.  Just be careful of that stray hot pink sock that made its way into the whites bin.

DIY: Roll Around Laundry Hamper with Screen Mesh Sides


Laundry Hamper with Wheels

TIPS: The following measurements may be substituted.
1.5" = 1x2's
2.5" = 1x3's
3.5" = 1x4's
5.5" = 1x6's

Use caution working with solid lumber wider than 1x6's.  Especially soft woods such as pine.  I find they show a greater propensity to warp, twist and cup.  Gluing boards side by side, otherwise known as a glue up, will offer greater stability across the project.

Cut List:

4 – Horizontal side Pieces @ 12.5” x 2.5”
4 – Horizontal side Pieces @ 23.5” x 2.5”
4 – Compartment divider Pieces @ 16” x 2.5”
8 – Vertical corner Pieces @ 31” x 2.5”
5 – Base Pieces @ 30” x 3.5”
4 – 2” Swivel Casters

Step 1

Assemble the four sides by attaching the Vertical and Horizontal members.  Pocket holes would work here if not ideal.  Because this is an open design hamper, pocket holes would not be concealed in the finished project.  I would definitely use dowels or some other joinery method that would not show unless the joinery method used was meant to be shown. 

 
Step 2

Attach the four assembled sides to each other.  Simple glue and brads would suffice.  It is at this stage you may want to consider attaching the screen mesh material to the inside of all four sides.  Hot glue or staples anyone.

 
The short sides are attached to the outside of the long sides.



 Step 3

Attach the compartment dividers to the top and bottom of the frame.

 
Step 4

Assemble the base.


Step 5

Flip the frame upside down and attach the base to the frame.  Apply glue to the underside of the frame, lay the base on top and add some weight.  You can toe nail brads if desired.


Step 6

While the whole unit is still upside down, but after the glue has dried, attach the swivel casters to the four corners of the base.


Final Thoughts


The final task would be to add the screen mesh material to the two compartment dividers.  

Alternatively, you could do away with the mesh material and place some hooks to the inside of the compartment dividers.  Mesh bags can then be attached to the hooks.  

Of course another alternative could be to do away with the compartment dividers altogether making the hamper one large area. 
 

Find me on Facebook, Google+ and Pinterest.  Also be sure to check out my YouTube channel for lots of great project videos.  If you see any of these project designs that you would like to see a video for, let me know.  If I get enough interest in one I will be sure to build and upload.

Until then,

Happy DIYing!!

2 comments:

  1. Thank you for this! Pinterest made it difficult to locate via pins though :(. My DIY partner can build it and I can make fabric bags and the dirty laundry will be tamed...or at least confined securely!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks! I might build one to integrate with a built-in dresser and shelving I'm installing in the master bath. I may add a latching side door on the cart that can be opened to allow clothes to tumble out.

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