If you want your laundry basket to stay fresh, this $16 ventilated one is so easy to keep sanitized – it knocks out odors before they start

Dirty clothes need washing, but who realistically has time to put a load on immediately? That’s why keeping your laundry basket fresh can be a challenge if you don’t have the right features in yours.

This plastic, easy-to-wipe and ventilated $16 Amazon laundry hamper with wheels is just the ticket for simple sanitation, so in between holding your laundry, it doesn’t build up bacteria and unpleasant smells.

Doing your laundry when you have time is one thing, but keeping the hamper clean is another, and doing so will stop any sweaty, dirty clothing from causing a stink.

Ventilated designs are great at keeping your laundry basket fresh

You can wipe down the inside and outside with a microfiber cloth and an anti-bacterial spray to sanitize it weekly, or in between loads. You can also make a hot soapy mixture with Dawn Dish Soap, available at Walmart.

Professional cleaners say putting your gym or workout clothes straight in the basket is a mistake, as the moisture, sweat, and bacteria is the perfect breeding ground for germs. However, with this plastic, lidless, ventilated hamper, you can drape them over the top, allowing them to dry fulling before placing them inside later.

The same goes for washing towels – make sure they are dry before putting them in the laundry basket, as they will quickly get smelly.

This particular Amazon design also has a handy lift-up handle and wheels to make movement of your load easier, as 30 gallons of washing isn’t going to feel exactly light or easy to transport otherwise.

It has four designs on the listing, including one with a lid if that’s what you prefer. Happy shoppers rave about it being great for small spaces, sending off their adult children to college with one, or using it to bring shopping in from the car, speaking to its versatility.

Battling odors well is just one string to its bow, with one verified shopper, Daymara, rating it five stars, adding, ‘I bought this laundry hamper and I loved it! It’s lightweight, sturdy, and has great capacity for everyday dirty clothes. The ventilated design helps prevent odors by allowing air to flow through.’

What to shop

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

If you enjoy keeping fit at home, these are the essential post-workout cleaning tasks to do after each session to keep your home gym sanitized. Similarly, if you love to cook, professional cleaners recommend these kitchen jobs to keep your meals tasting their best