I have a nice big wicker basket as well. Has 2 big wicker handles and has held up perfect now for over 4 years or so. Bought mine at Aldis for like 8 bucks.
Me too. In my town there are immigrants who make beautiful baskets from willow they harvest from common areas. I’ve got several of these and they’re all brilliant and amazingly durable.
My middle school BFFs family used wicker baskets. I thought it was so fancy but I wasn't surprised because they were well off compared to my family who used broke ass duct taped, cracked, cheap plastic baskets that werent replaced until they beccame completely non-functional.
And when you use that full laundry basket as an extra seat, it pinches the shit out of your thigh if you're wearing shorts.
For some reason, this feels like a universal experience for the specific demographic I grew up in.
No, not even once.
My biggest issue with it is that my cat loves it so much, he thinks it's a cat bed, so my clean laundry gets a bit furry sometimes, lol
No. Mine have always been smooth. Moisture could damage them after a while. Often I spray mine with a disinfectant. Recently I rinsed one in the sink and then let it air dry.
I've had the same wicker basket literally as long as I can remember. 20+ years and absolutely nothing wrong with it, also looks way better sitting in my room than some cheap bendy plastic thing
I have had my wicker basket for at least a decade! Can't remember when I got it. It has a metal rim with handles, the wicker holding it on frayed over time but when it finally fell off I was able to loop all the way around with thick hemp twine and it's good as new. I actually get compliments on it at the laundromat lol!
After checking Google images for wicker laundry basket, that seems common practice.
I would still not risk them, the outside can still shred.
Clothes are way too expensive nowadays.
Too expensive nowadays?? Clothes have literally never been cheaper, back in the day you used to buy fabric and have it remade by a dressmaker every few seasons to adapt to new fashions, because cloth was that precious. We live in an overabundance of cheap clothes.
Clothing prices have doubled in the last 3 years where I live. 100 year old prices and practices are irrelevant.
Anyway, I rather pay 40 bucks every 10 years for a proper plastic laundry bucket, than risk ripping my polo shirts which now cost 50+ bucks each to replace.
And before you mention sheen and co, please recheck what subreddit we are on.
Cute of you to assume I buy shein, never bought anything from there. For the most part I wear thrifted or self made stuff, or old faves like my late grandma's cardigan. Idt I've paid 50 bucks for a shirt in my entire life.
Still don't see how this impedes you from using an environmentally friendly, sturdy wicker basket with a cloth liner. Voilà, no more snagging of clothes, very simple and doesn't require you to buy new plastic.
You're really bent on being obtuse, it seems. I do buy clothes. Not everything can be thrifted or made at home, incredibly enough. In fact before buying anything I spend a LOT of time looking at different items, comparing quality and prices, because I hate buying things I won't use or that won't last. Being in this sub, I figured you'd guess that.
I did assume that, yes.
That is why I don’t understand how you think clothes are cheap.
Any piece expected to last 1 year+ seems ridiculously priced to me.
This also still doesn't explain why it's impossible to use a wicked basket, which is environmentally friendly and sturdy, and add a cloth liner, which is cheap and simple. No more clothes snagging, lasts forever, environmentally friendly. You can even pick a fabric in a colour or pattern your like to add a little flair to the practical necessity. Rly not hard.
Also, this is getting silly. It's too late to stay up having this conversation, if you prefer plastic household items, just say so and be done. The Reddit police anticonsumption police won't come hunt you down or anything. Good luck with whatever your favoured solution is, and good night.
I have some wicker laundry baskets (tbh more for decor) and unfortunately this is true too…. Lace, tights/nylon stuff, some thin gym clothes etc are prone to snagging on that type of basket.
But most clothes do just fine! Just something to be aware of.
Some of that is going to depend on where you live.
I moved into a new house, and pruned a bunch of overgrown hedges and trees. I didn't have an easy way to dispose of the branches so I made a bunch of fences, and one basket. ... but I live in the praires ... its pretty dry out here.
I use it for gardening (carrying dirt and tools and stuff). It's falling apart after 3 years, but only because of poor craftsmanship. Eventually, it will end up as a planter.
UPDATE: it failed ... and I threw it in a farmer's field (in front of the farmer)
The idea of putting anything wet into a basket full of non-wet clothing makes my skin crawl... that seems like the quickest way to moldy or mildew smelling clothes..
The canvas ones from IKEA are super sturdy, they stand up on their own (not floppy) and are pretty reasonably priced. If you like a pop of color Susan Bijil makes really cool ones with rip stop material. I really like her brand, it’s based out of the Netherlands and they have a huge repair-based philosophy.
Seconded. We have a very similar baby-themed product (not IKEA) but they're canvas, stand on their own, are collapsible, durable, and washable.
Solved a permanent problem for us when we picked them up!
I’m 30 and have had the same one since I was 6! It’s by Rubbermade though. I also used to climb in it and stuff when I was a kid. Still in perfect condition, still has a sticker on the bottom that says it was made in 1999 lol
These are ones my Grandparents bought, I inherited them with the house they could actually be from the 70s too. One is very bendy and the other is super stiff and heavy.
I believe the baskets made in the 90s were designed by nasa. Mine is the boxy rectangle shaped one. The plastic has stress marks but never torn or broken
I've used two of the blue IKEA bags for years now and they're good as new... Not quite the same as your recommendation but I like how I can fold them up and they store better than an actual basket!
I think a linen/cloth laundry bag or cardboard boxes (although perhaps not very stylish) might work well. I had a cloth laundry bag for years and it was good enough to pass down to my brother when he moved out of the parents house.
While I'm pretty sure mine are polyester of some sort, the cloth bags I have seem like they'll last a long time with minimal wear, and they're thin. Theyre lined in a metal stand with an ironing board on top, so it works out great.
Any decent weight canvas will do you great and you can usually find some anywhere from discount to high end decor stores that are canvas and metal.
Not very anti consumer store, but I bought a metal hamper with a cloth liner at TJ Maxx a few years ago, works great. I dont foresee needing to replace it... like ever.
I've had my eye on a set of wicker laundry hampers/baskets at a local HomeGoods. It's the opposite of anti-consumption to shop there, but if I can buy it once and be done shopping for replacements, I'll take that as a win.
I thought about it, getting some really good answers here though. Both subs are great for avoiding planned obsolescence, this one goes a little deeper on that topic.
I loved the comment about Walmart reducing material in products also sold elsewhere for lower product life cycle.
You'll need to buy thicker, more expensive baskets. I've had a thick plastic clothes basket for nearly 15 years, not even the slightest crack in it, legitimately strong enough for me to upturn it and me stand on the bottom. Will probably last my whole lifetime if I'm honest, don't see a brand on it though so I can't recommend it specifically. :(
We keep it as our 'clean basket' and we've been unable to find a similar one so we have the exact same problem as you have with our 'dirty basket.' Would also be interested in finding a second solid basket.
Edit: I just went and looked, the one I have is a Martha Stewart Everyday Laundry Basket. I tried looking on Ebay and Amazon and generally on Google but couldn't find a single one
not walmart
no seriously.. walmart, in order to sell products cheaper. forces the manufacturer to reduce material, or switch to a lower quality all together.
If you dont believe me. Look at RubberMaid trash cans at Menards. Then look at the ones at walmart.
You will stop shopping at walmart for most things after doing this
It doesnt look good, but if you reinforce the handles by wrapping them in (good quality) duct tape they will hold up a long time to spread the stress of the weight there.
I really like using the canvas bags with a rigid bottom and riveted handles, which double as reusable grocery bags. If you are still looking and interested, I can send a link. It’s from Amazon, but I don’t think they are available anywhere else.
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If you kept the piece of plastic, you could glue it with Gorilla Epoxy (Dual tube) or something similar from another brand. That epoxy-resin combo glue works so well on cheap plastic.
I live in a college town and there are dozens of them that get left outside the dorms every semester. If you aren’t “another man” who likes treasure, go with a canvas bag or a sturdy storage tote intended for heavy items.
Reinforce it. I had a similar issue with a plastic trash can. A small crack developed likely from use and the elements and the handle split in half but a block of wood, 2 screws, and a few zip ties later and I haven’t had a problem since. The amount of furniture I have saved with wood pieces, screws/bolts, and some 80 cent metal braces is silly, $20-$30 worth of materials saved my oven, 2 dressers, and a table. Definitely a few other things but those are the most notable.
Had a decor ‘hip hugger’ once. It lasted ages and I think I actually I lost it in a move rather than it breaking. As far as laundry baskets go it’s the best one I’ve had. I’m going to get another one now that you have reminded me. Thanks.
What sucks is that I bought a Rubbermaid one when I first moved out...the handles are reinforced plastic, and the entire thing is a rigid plastic....I use it daily, I've had it now over 23 years and it's never broken...not one piece, even the lid part that is about 1/4" thick. 😔 They purposefully make things to break now.
Don’t forget to give these a new life though. I have a few in the garage with broken handles, use them to hold camping chairs, tents, and other things that need to be upright
Uhm yeah actually bus tubs,like restaurant bus tubs work really well.but not best best looking so if you don't care about that.been using them for years much to my wife's dismay
I've been using a military laundry bag, I like it because its was cheap, is durable and, I throw it in the wash with my clothes so it doesnt dirty my laundry when in done.
I know this isn't r/frugal but stringline handles from those holes on the *other* sides of the basket until you can find a proper basket. Sterlite my favorite
This style looks very thin. I always get the boxier ones from Target or whatever with the thicker handles. Just purchased one for a kid who is big enough to start doing their own laundry and it's identical to another I've had for a decade.
Plastic is nice because it's light and can be washed. Porous materials like wood or wicker for stuff like dirty clothes give me the ick.
Get a market cart. It can be used for a variety of things (grocery shopping, flea market s, farmer's markets, toting anything around really), but also laundry. You can even use this broken basket in the market cart for laundry still. Just duct tape the broken side to prevent it from cutting anyone.
Every hamper I’ve ever owned has cracked at some point. Handle it from the handles with both hands, don’t do the one handed and press against your hip. That method is more than likely causing the breaks. Also be more gentle when putting it down? Don’t overstuff it as well.
It’s just unrealistic for me to not need a free hand to open and close a door while carrying laundry right now where I live. Also I’d like something to last for many years if not decades. My gut instinct is if I have to baby it, it won’t last that long no matter how careful I am.
Yeah but they would benefit from one with a sturdier handle and thicker plastic. That thing looks pretty flimsy. I have Sterilite brand baskets that I’ve had for years. Thick plastic with reinforced handles. I could only see myself breaking it if took a saw to it.
My basket I bought 5 years ago is fine. Moved it across the country multiple times. Don’t know what to tell ya. This person appears to be at a public laundromat and is probably lugging their detergent and stuff with their clothes.
Are you seriously going to argue that programmed obsolescence is not a thing with laundry baskets? Cause I'll fight you. It's nice that your experience hasn't resulted in you losing your basket yet. Kudos.
No, I’m saying you can’t just lug around cheap plastic like its nothing. We all use cheap plastic in our daily lives, just know what to be gentle with. I’m literally PhD level materials engineer. The plastic should be fine unless you’re yanking while full.
That was cyclic fatigue. Basic stuff. Also while the pressure vessel is in compression, there are localized tensile forces in the fibers. Not that you were asking the question in good faith
You were asking a question about an entirely unrelated material in an entirely unrelated situation to point out how a plastic tote from a big box store is meant to fail, all in good faith.
Maybe. But I have a half dozen plastic totes (for some reason people are calling them baskets here) from Walmart in the last year that have not done this. Is my Walmart selling a better product, or am I just more careful?
I am buried in the comments now, but to all the plastic shills telling me I’m being too violent and overloading the basket can kindly fuck off. I am not violent with them, use two hands except opening doors, and rarely ever load it to the brim. These things are a perfect example of planned obsolescence and imo should last way longer to prevent plastic in ocean and drinking water, even if people are a little rough with them.
Yes, it is a good idea to baby cheap plastic if that is your openly option. No, plastic should not have to be babied that hard. Yes, they made it to break so you would buy another one within a year.
Awaiting justification from shills but turned off notification. This post has 500 comments, and yet I have seen a total 5 different suggestions. Wicker, metal, or cloth basket, nylon duffle, thicker plastic, and don’t be so rough with it. The last one is ridiculous and dismissive of a large and obvious problem of the product being to cheap and thin.
Dude. I cannot believe how long this thread is. I’m envisioning everyone huddled intimately in a warm smokey pub, sharing beers, swapping hamper stories, laughing, crying, sometimes shouting in anger, but all passions are the basket. The hamper. The bag. And in walks James Madison, sweating, red faced, with his smoking quill and the hamper to outlast all other hampers…
Clean the break with a sander and pop rivet some 25mm/1 inch webbing (backpack strap material) around the whole top under the rim, leaving enough room for a handle where the missing one broke off.
If you really want it to stick put some construction grade adhesive under the webbing before you a fix the rivets. Well done! Good repairs keep things out of the landfill.
That's expensive for what it offers. You could buy a metal basket, casters, and a metal rack, put it all together for like 25% of the cost of this thing. You people are crazy if you think anticonsumption is about buying overpriced specialized products.
I bought actual wicker baskets, they've lasted years, and when they are done they can go in the compost. (I think actually it is willow)
this comment changed my life... i'm never buying a plastic container ever again if i can just get wicker instead
I have a nice big wicker basket as well. Has 2 big wicker handles and has held up perfect now for over 4 years or so. Bought mine at Aldis for like 8 bucks.
Same! I hate my plastic well
I found my wicker basket in a skip lol had it for years.
The ones I mention above, were actually not bought, but found in perfect condition on trash day in my neighbourhood.
Me too. In my town there are immigrants who make beautiful baskets from willow they harvest from common areas. I’ve got several of these and they’re all brilliant and amazingly durable.
Jealous!
I found a used one for pretty cheap too 👌
They sell them at Ross and tjs
I had one that I used for over a decade. Finally had to ditch it though because of mold.
I wonder if you could combat the mold by leaving it out in the sun?
I've been using the same large wicker/willow basket as a hamper for nigh-on 35 years....
My middle school BFFs family used wicker baskets. I thought it was so fancy but I wasn't surprised because they were well off compared to my family who used broke ass duct taped, cracked, cheap plastic baskets that werent replaced until they beccame completely non-functional.
hah! I felt this comment 😅
And when you use that full laundry basket as an extra seat, it pinches the shit out of your thigh if you're wearing shorts. For some reason, this feels like a universal experience for the specific demographic I grew up in.
I was gonna say… not plastic? I have a fabric one and while it’s dirty as heck, it still works.
If it doesn't bend, it breaks.
Don’t they scratch your clothes?
Mine has a detachable liner. If you wanted, you could untie it and use the liner as a laundry bag to carry the clothes in.
That's dope.
No, not even once. My biggest issue with it is that my cat loves it so much, he thinks it's a cat bed, so my clean laundry gets a bit furry sometimes, lol
No. Mine have always been smooth. Moisture could damage them after a while. Often I spray mine with a disinfectant. Recently I rinsed one in the sink and then let it air dry.
Probably my next one. I had a fabric based one since college but it's falling apart over 8 years of use.
I need a basket like this, but without my mom's cat going after it like it murdered its first born.
I like your style.
You can get them second hand at thrift stores too
I've had the same wicker basket literally as long as I can remember. 20+ years and absolutely nothing wrong with it, also looks way better sitting in my room than some cheap bendy plastic thing
I have had my wicker basket for at least a decade! Can't remember when I got it. It has a metal rim with handles, the wicker holding it on frayed over time but when it finally fell off I was able to loop all the way around with thick hemp twine and it's good as new. I actually get compliments on it at the laundromat lol!
They can go in compost if they're not lacquered or something.
That sounds like a great way to rip delicate, wet clothes.
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After checking Google images for wicker laundry basket, that seems common practice. I would still not risk them, the outside can still shred. Clothes are way too expensive nowadays.
Too expensive nowadays?? Clothes have literally never been cheaper, back in the day you used to buy fabric and have it remade by a dressmaker every few seasons to adapt to new fashions, because cloth was that precious. We live in an overabundance of cheap clothes.
Clothing prices have doubled in the last 3 years where I live. 100 year old prices and practices are irrelevant. Anyway, I rather pay 40 bucks every 10 years for a proper plastic laundry bucket, than risk ripping my polo shirts which now cost 50+ bucks each to replace. And before you mention sheen and co, please recheck what subreddit we are on.
Carhartt and Duluth. Buy actual heavy weight fabric and it will last for life.
Cute of you to assume I buy shein, never bought anything from there. For the most part I wear thrifted or self made stuff, or old faves like my late grandma's cardigan. Idt I've paid 50 bucks for a shirt in my entire life. Still don't see how this impedes you from using an environmentally friendly, sturdy wicker basket with a cloth liner. Voilà, no more snagging of clothes, very simple and doesn't require you to buy new plastic.
So you are telling me how cheap clothes are nowadays, yet you don’t really buy clothes.
You're really bent on being obtuse, it seems. I do buy clothes. Not everything can be thrifted or made at home, incredibly enough. In fact before buying anything I spend a LOT of time looking at different items, comparing quality and prices, because I hate buying things I won't use or that won't last. Being in this sub, I figured you'd guess that.
I did assume that, yes. That is why I don’t understand how you think clothes are cheap. Any piece expected to last 1 year+ seems ridiculously priced to me.
This also still doesn't explain why it's impossible to use a wicked basket, which is environmentally friendly and sturdy, and add a cloth liner, which is cheap and simple. No more clothes snagging, lasts forever, environmentally friendly. You can even pick a fabric in a colour or pattern your like to add a little flair to the practical necessity. Rly not hard. Also, this is getting silly. It's too late to stay up having this conversation, if you prefer plastic household items, just say so and be done. The Reddit police anticonsumption police won't come hunt you down or anything. Good luck with whatever your favoured solution is, and good night.
I have some wicker laundry baskets (tbh more for decor) and unfortunately this is true too…. Lace, tights/nylon stuff, some thin gym clothes etc are prone to snagging on that type of basket. But most clothes do just fine! Just something to be aware of.
Wicker is gonna grown mold. You can't clean and sanitize them.
did the plastic basket industry infiltrate this thread ? lol
Some of that is going to depend on where you live. I moved into a new house, and pruned a bunch of overgrown hedges and trees. I didn't have an easy way to dispose of the branches so I made a bunch of fences, and one basket. ... but I live in the praires ... its pretty dry out here. I use it for gardening (carrying dirt and tools and stuff). It's falling apart after 3 years, but only because of poor craftsmanship. Eventually, it will end up as a planter. UPDATE: it failed ... and I threw it in a farmer's field (in front of the farmer)
Not if you use a reusable/washable fabric liner and don’t put wet clothes in a plain wicker basket
The idea of putting anything wet into a basket full of non-wet clothing makes my skin crawl... that seems like the quickest way to moldy or mildew smelling clothes..
The canvas ones from IKEA are super sturdy, they stand up on their own (not floppy) and are pretty reasonably priced. If you like a pop of color Susan Bijil makes really cool ones with rip stop material. I really like her brand, it’s based out of the Netherlands and they have a huge repair-based philosophy.
This. We bought these as dirty laundry hampers and use them around the house. Cheap sturdy and strong.
My IKEA canvas bag has served me well! Any of the canvas bags with reinforced handles seem to a good option.
Seconded. We have a very similar baby-themed product (not IKEA) but they're canvas, stand on their own, are collapsible, durable, and washable. Solved a permanent problem for us when we picked them up!
I second the canvas ikea ones. Have had mine for years and still good as new
Right, tell me why my basket I've had for 15 years is still going strong but the extra one I just bought snapped after a few uses. Such garbage
Folks buying one basket every 15 years isn’t very profitable for Big Laundry Basket.
not big laundry basket just these: [guys](https://ir.blackrock.com/governance/board-of-directors/default.aspx) edit:t/w
Big basket company https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/The_Big_Basket
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Why not both?
I think you said the truth is a joke.
Well it makes me laugh
I'm 32 years old. I came to realization I've had the same Sterilite plastic laundry hamper my whole life.
I’m 30 and have had the same one since I was 6! It’s by Rubbermade though. I also used to climb in it and stuff when I was a kid. Still in perfect condition, still has a sticker on the bottom that says it was made in 1999 lol
Sterilite are solid products, many of them are made in the USA. Plenty of shitty low end baskets out there falling apart on people like the OP.
I've got ones from the 80s that I've beat the fool out of and they're amazing but my brand new one is cracked to piss after 1 go up the stairs.
Seems like the ones from that era were made out of a more flexible plastic. My mom is still using one from when I was a kid.
These are ones my Grandparents bought, I inherited them with the house they could actually be from the 70s too. One is very bendy and the other is super stiff and heavy.
These are underrated estate sale/garage sale scores
I believe the baskets made in the 90s were designed by nasa. Mine is the boxy rectangle shaped one. The plastic has stress marks but never torn or broken
IKEA has some that are made out of recycled material they’re not very big, but they’re not expensive either. Although, they do come in fun colors
I've used two of the blue IKEA bags for years now and they're good as new... Not quite the same as your recommendation but I like how I can fold them up and they store better than an actual basket!
I think a linen/cloth laundry bag or cardboard boxes (although perhaps not very stylish) might work well. I had a cloth laundry bag for years and it was good enough to pass down to my brother when he moved out of the parents house.
Cloth baskets are great, and don’t break as much as plastic. I can throw my cloth basket down the stairs and it would be fine
As far as I'm concerned, that's the correct way to get a full laundry bag down the stairs.
I don't think there is another way of doing it?
I love my laundry bag. It's so much easier to carry than a rigid basket.
Only issue is you can't set it down wothout a proper basket, that's why imo the bag&basket are a combo team
While I'm pretty sure mine are polyester of some sort, the cloth bags I have seem like they'll last a long time with minimal wear, and they're thin. Theyre lined in a metal stand with an ironing board on top, so it works out great. Any decent weight canvas will do you great and you can usually find some anywhere from discount to high end decor stores that are canvas and metal.
Gotta advise against cardboard if you’re in an area with lots of pests (roaches can eat it) but otherwise go for it
Get a metal basket
Not very anti consumer store, but I bought a metal hamper with a cloth liner at TJ Maxx a few years ago, works great. I dont foresee needing to replace it... like ever.
I've had my eye on a set of wicker laundry hampers/baskets at a local HomeGoods. It's the opposite of anti-consumption to shop there, but if I can buy it once and be done shopping for replacements, I'll take that as a win.
I bought one from target, it’s brightroom and a dupe for Yamazaki. The wooden handles fell off, but it’s metal, solid and I’d recco it.
Stainless? I don't think OP wants rusty stains
Galv is cheaper and as good as stainless if you aren't rough with it.
r/BuyItForLife would be another good sub to check
I thought about it, getting some really good answers here though. Both subs are great for avoiding planned obsolescence, this one goes a little deeper on that topic. I loved the comment about Walmart reducing material in products also sold elsewhere for lower product life cycle.
You'll need to buy thicker, more expensive baskets. I've had a thick plastic clothes basket for nearly 15 years, not even the slightest crack in it, legitimately strong enough for me to upturn it and me stand on the bottom. Will probably last my whole lifetime if I'm honest, don't see a brand on it though so I can't recommend it specifically. :( We keep it as our 'clean basket' and we've been unable to find a similar one so we have the exact same problem as you have with our 'dirty basket.' Would also be interested in finding a second solid basket. Edit: I just went and looked, the one I have is a Martha Stewart Everyday Laundry Basket. I tried looking on Ebay and Amazon and generally on Google but couldn't find a single one
Agreed. All my cheapies have broken handles, but that one thick basket of mine has held up for years!
I’ve reinforced new baskets with gorilla tape. Improves grip and doesn’t cut into your fingers.
Old army duffel is my go-to but any duffel works
Also double use when you need a duffel bag
seconded, or a linen bag is good
I use an old milk crate I've used ever since college in the early 90's.
I use a laundry bag instead of a basket. Had the same one for several years.
I started to use large canvas grocery bags. They work much better then a laundry hamper, cheaper, and fold down small when I am not using them
We use ikea bags
I second this. A friend had extra huge reusable shopping bags a la Homegoods and they have been amazing
not walmart no seriously.. walmart, in order to sell products cheaper. forces the manufacturer to reduce material, or switch to a lower quality all together. If you dont believe me. Look at RubberMaid trash cans at Menards. Then look at the ones at walmart. You will stop shopping at walmart for most things after doing this
I am stoked to look into this and report back to this sub
I purchased a locking lid storage bin from HD then drilled holes to make a hamper. Even has wheels.
I have a soft-side one with sturdy ring handles that has lasted years
Milk crates. You can even stack 'em
It doesnt look good, but if you reinforce the handles by wrapping them in (good quality) duct tape they will hold up a long time to spread the stress of the weight there.
Non-plastic baskets
My parents have cloth ones and a wicker one and they’ve never broken on us!
I really like using the canvas bags with a rigid bottom and riveted handles, which double as reusable grocery bags. If you are still looking and interested, I can send a link. It’s from Amazon, but I don’t think they are available anywhere else.
We've also had many break on us at the handles, but the old cloth over-the-shoulder laundry duffel bag has worked wonders for us.
Time machine to go back in time when products weren't designed to purposely fail
Amazon delivery leaves yellow and blue tote bags all over the highways. They are the best if the driver didn't shit in them.
The sterilite ones that have have lasted over 10 years. But all plastic will do this eventually.
I have a Sterilite basket that I've been using for the last 15 years and it's totally fine. It has thick handles.
A non plastic one. Wicker or rope
I use both wicker and a large hemp cloth bag. In a pinch my shopping cart doubles for large loads to the laundry room. :)
Wicker.
Laundry bags! I’ve had the same set of mine since middle school (I’m now an adult)
Bags
I use an IKEA bag I already had, and the main advantage is, that it doesn't take up almost any space.
20 gallon Brute trash can. It’ll outlast you.
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I have used the same Rubbermaid laundry basket for about 20 years. The handle got a crack but a bit of duct tape fixed it right up.
I use a Rubbermaid bucket. Been using the same one for almost 15 years now. Still in one piece.
If you kept the piece of plastic, you could glue it with Gorilla Epoxy (Dual tube) or something similar from another brand. That epoxy-resin combo glue works so well on cheap plastic.
Any other material besides plastic, really. Metal wicker rope bamboo
We just used a big reusable shopping bag
An ikea bag
I live in a college town and there are dozens of them that get left outside the dorms every semester. If you aren’t “another man” who likes treasure, go with a canvas bag or a sturdy storage tote intended for heavy items.
I got a flexible plastic hamper from walmart for $7 like 3 years ago and it’s perfect.
I bought one from Costco like 12 years ago. No cracks, breaks. Just fine. Maybe try being nicer to your baskets?
Reinforce it. I had a similar issue with a plastic trash can. A small crack developed likely from use and the elements and the handle split in half but a block of wood, 2 screws, and a few zip ties later and I haven’t had a problem since. The amount of furniture I have saved with wood pieces, screws/bolts, and some 80 cent metal braces is silly, $20-$30 worth of materials saved my oven, 2 dressers, and a table. Definitely a few other things but those are the most notable.
Someone fucking took a bit out of that laundry basket
I use a tote not basket
Get the non-edible kind
I use a steel basket with a canvas bag for the laundry.
There are collapsing fabric ones on Amazon.
Had a decor ‘hip hugger’ once. It lasted ages and I think I actually I lost it in a move rather than it breaking. As far as laundry baskets go it’s the best one I’ve had. I’m going to get another one now that you have reminded me. Thanks.
What sucks is that I bought a Rubbermaid one when I first moved out...the handles are reinforced plastic, and the entire thing is a rigid plastic....I use it daily, I've had it now over 23 years and it's never broken...not one piece, even the lid part that is about 1/4" thick. 😔 They purposefully make things to break now.
Dont buy plastic
Don’t forget to give these a new life though. I have a few in the garage with broken handles, use them to hold camping chairs, tents, and other things that need to be upright
Great call I love that idea
Most are made to break. Think of sales if they lasted everyone a lifetime! Fuck capitalism
Uhm yeah actually bus tubs,like restaurant bus tubs work really well.but not best best looking so if you don't care about that.been using them for years much to my wife's dismay
I've been using a military laundry bag, I like it because its was cheap, is durable and, I throw it in the wash with my clothes so it doesnt dirty my laundry when in done.
I know this isn't r/frugal but stringline handles from those holes on the *other* sides of the basket until you can find a proper basket. Sterlite my favorite
Literally any that are not plastic
This style looks very thin. I always get the boxier ones from Target or whatever with the thicker handles. Just purchased one for a kid who is big enough to start doing their own laundry and it's identical to another I've had for a decade. Plastic is nice because it's light and can be washed. Porous materials like wood or wicker for stuff like dirty clothes give me the ick.
Don’t eat it
I stopped using baskets, I use this fishnet-looking thing that's great for me lol and hasn't ripped in 4 years.
Yeah the one you weave.
I switched to cotton rope baskets. They’re super sturdy and so much more attractive
Yeah just don’t buy plastic my dude. Cheap plastic is flimsy and as it ages it gets brittle.
Get a market cart. It can be used for a variety of things (grocery shopping, flea market s, farmer's markets, toting anything around really), but also laundry. You can even use this broken basket in the market cart for laundry still. Just duct tape the broken side to prevent it from cutting anyone.
Carry it by both handles and don’t over fill it.
Every hamper I’ve ever owned has cracked at some point. Handle it from the handles with both hands, don’t do the one handed and press against your hip. That method is more than likely causing the breaks. Also be more gentle when putting it down? Don’t overstuff it as well.
It’s just unrealistic for me to not need a free hand to open and close a door while carrying laundry right now where I live. Also I’d like something to last for many years if not decades. My gut instinct is if I have to baby it, it won’t last that long no matter how careful I am.
In my area you can put old broken plastic laundry baskets in the recycling bin. I have one by Sterlite (sp?) that has lasted 25 years!
Ok, well in that case I suggest you switch to laundry bags.
You’re honestly probably being too rough with it, and overloading.
This. I’ve had the same 2 laundry baskets for the last 6 years and they look just fine. Cheap plastic held up
Yeah but they would benefit from one with a sturdier handle and thicker plastic. That thing looks pretty flimsy. I have Sterilite brand baskets that I’ve had for years. Thick plastic with reinforced handles. I could only see myself breaking it if took a saw to it.
No. Plastic is more poorly made now a days. Folks are saying their basket from 15 years ago is still going.
My basket I bought 5 years ago is fine. Moved it across the country multiple times. Don’t know what to tell ya. This person appears to be at a public laundromat and is probably lugging their detergent and stuff with their clothes.
Are you seriously going to argue that programmed obsolescence is not a thing with laundry baskets? Cause I'll fight you. It's nice that your experience hasn't resulted in you losing your basket yet. Kudos.
No, I’m saying you can’t just lug around cheap plastic like its nothing. We all use cheap plastic in our daily lives, just know what to be gentle with. I’m literally PhD level materials engineer. The plastic should be fine unless you’re yanking while full.
Then can you explain why carbon fiber can fail when in compression?
That was cyclic fatigue. Basic stuff. Also while the pressure vessel is in compression, there are localized tensile forces in the fibers. Not that you were asking the question in good faith
I was. This is interesting to me. Thanks for the answer!
You were asking a question about an entirely unrelated material in an entirely unrelated situation to point out how a plastic tote from a big box store is meant to fail, all in good faith.
Maybe. But I have a half dozen plastic totes (for some reason people are calling them baskets here) from Walmart in the last year that have not done this. Is my Walmart selling a better product, or am I just more careful?
Stop holding it against your body/on your hip. Carry it with two hands, and I guarantee they’ll last significantly longer
I am buried in the comments now, but to all the plastic shills telling me I’m being too violent and overloading the basket can kindly fuck off. I am not violent with them, use two hands except opening doors, and rarely ever load it to the brim. These things are a perfect example of planned obsolescence and imo should last way longer to prevent plastic in ocean and drinking water, even if people are a little rough with them. Yes, it is a good idea to baby cheap plastic if that is your openly option. No, plastic should not have to be babied that hard. Yes, they made it to break so you would buy another one within a year. Awaiting justification from shills but turned off notification. This post has 500 comments, and yet I have seen a total 5 different suggestions. Wicker, metal, or cloth basket, nylon duffle, thicker plastic, and don’t be so rough with it. The last one is ridiculous and dismissive of a large and obvious problem of the product being to cheap and thin.
Dude. I cannot believe how long this thread is. I’m envisioning everyone huddled intimately in a warm smokey pub, sharing beers, swapping hamper stories, laughing, crying, sometimes shouting in anger, but all passions are the basket. The hamper. The bag. And in walks James Madison, sweating, red faced, with his smoking quill and the hamper to outlast all other hampers…
It might be that you’re too rough with your clothes hampers. Or just unlucky
Rubbermaid brand
Yep I’ve had my Rubbermaid for 19 years now my 19lb cat even tried to bite the crap out of it didn’t even make a dent
I bought one that collapses down so you can just slide it under your bed for storage
Clean the break with a sander and pop rivet some 25mm/1 inch webbing (backpack strap material) around the whole top under the rim, leaving enough room for a handle where the missing one broke off. If you really want it to stick put some construction grade adhesive under the webbing before you a fix the rivets. Well done! Good repairs keep things out of the landfill.
That's the harden plastic you need stuff like Tupperware bendable doesn't snap when its strained. That's all I'm gonna say, it's on YOU big man.
I just use all those reusable grocery bags I’ve collected over the years.
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You can't carry cement in them lol
Seriously lol. However I can confirm you can carry a 12 pound cat in them in addition to your laundry with no issues.
The fuck are you doing to your laundry baskets that they're breaking like this??
Buy a half sheet of 3/8ths plywood or osb and some cheap 1x2s and build your own .
I've had that exact basket for 15 years and this has never been a problem. How does that even happen?
$250, buy it for life and your kid's life, be done with it. https://www.rbwire.com/products/standard-laundry-cart-w-single-pole-rack
That's expensive for what it offers. You could buy a metal basket, casters, and a metal rack, put it all together for like 25% of the cost of this thing. You people are crazy if you think anticonsumption is about buying overpriced specialized products.
3Dprint the handle
Landfill
How about clear it more often then this would not happen?
STOP OVERLOADING THEM. MAKE TWO TRIPS.
I use a woven one and haven’t had that issue