My kid likes a “pop up” one that can collapse but also will stand straight up, mesh, with soft handles, so he just grab it. It may not last more than one year of heavy use/overstuffing, but at $7-10, the convenience is worth it. Here is an example: https://www.target.com/p/pop-up-laundry-hamper-white-room-essentials-153/-/A-14066158
Also, very convenient for holding/storing his linens when he comes home for summer!
Mine used mesh drawstring bags. I am assuming all 3 left a pile of clothes somewhere or in something that they then stuffed into the mesh bag to haul to the laundry room.
My daughter (now a junior) has this pop-up hamper from Target, that fits easily into her dorm closet and has held up very well since her freshman year. It’s lightweight and easy to carry.
https://www.target.com/p/mesh-rectangular-laundry-hamper-aqua-room-essentials-153/-/A-51802244
My kids actually washed their canvas drawstring laundry bags. They said it was easier to just toss the laundry bag in the wash than it was to carry it back and forth to wherever while the clothes were washing. These were drawstring bags that were purchased for summer camps where laundry was sent out each week. I think my son still has his…and it was purchased in 1998.
Pop-up collapsible all the way! My D has two - a vertical one for dirty clothes and one that can be used both vertically and horizontally (like a clothes basket) for clean clothes. (BB and B sells the horizontal one).
My kids had terrible luck with those flimsy collapsible hampers. A bag is ideal, because you can throw it in the wash. How many kids think to sanitize their hamper before putting their clean clothes back in it?
@Massmomm Re: sanitizing That’s why my D has two - the vertical one is used ONLY for dirty clothes. The horizontal one is used ONLY for clean clothes. The vertical one cannot be used horizontally and is a different color, so there’s no problem telling them apart.
The horizontal one functions like a laundry “basket” that is collapsible. The vertical one functions as a laundry “hamper” that is collapsible.
Glad to see other people debate this as well.
I figured the pop up kind he would throw his clothes and they would just push it back down and he would end up with a pile (his one at home that is kinda how it happens).
So I got a ridged niced size one from target with good handles (not to big / not to small / skinnier then wide so would fit in closet).
I went with the - Target 2 bu Lamper With Divider Bag $9.99
seems perfect for me in not to big, ridged and skinny enough for a closet. Sitting here in his college pile loaded with his sheets, mattress pad, and towels in it and a 32 pack of Tide 4 in 1 Fabreze Sport Odor Defense pods.
A laundry bag. Takes up the least space.
About 0% chance my sons laundry makes it into a laundry bag.
DD1 is using one like this at home and I expect that she will want to take it with her. I think I bought it for DS but he forgot to pack it. He has a standard basket. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Mesh-Pop-Up-Laundry-Hamper-White/106204937
My kids all use the large blue ikea bags for laundry. They are cheap, hold a lot, and the straps make the bags easy to carry. They are also handy for moving things in and out of dorm rooms.
IKEA bag is an excellent suggestion!!
My son had a mesh bag at one point. It tore when a button got caught in the mesh. Piece of junk.
Who knew this topic could bring such varied responses - thanks to all the responders for your input.
I checked the LL Bean site and they have a good looking laundry bag that looks super sturdy, but $50 for something to put laundry in at college seems silly.
I’m thinking we won’t do mesh because of the snagging issues…We’ve at least narrowed the field. This one at Amazon looks pretty good:
Mine had a mesh bag that has been sturdy though several years of band camp before college and four years of college. A Command hook in the closet to hang it in on was all that was needed. The bad folds flat and the Command hook only needs a new strip each year.
No hamper. A bag.
We do the bag too. I got a nice canvas one with sturdy plastic handles from TJ Maxx. He can hang it on a hook in the closet, when it’s fuller it stands on the floor. Holds a ton!
Household Essentials 2030 popup with wheels and shoulder strap from Amazon is our favorite.
Household Essentials 2030 Pop-Up Laundry Hamper on Wheels with Drawstring Closure | Shoulder Strap to Carry Clothing | Blue https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0007CXQPM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_PMn2CbRYHC6V
You may wish to wait for dorm assignments so you know how far to laundry
My daughter used in college, and still uses because she lives in a walk up apartment with the laundry in the basement, the cheap mesh pop up ones mentioned above. They last a few years before they fall apart. For her, a key is that it is extremely light and doesn’t add weight to that of her two weeks of clothes and laundry detergent bottle (they have a pouch for that on the side. She has used both the round and the square shaped ones. The mesh also doesn’t take on the smell of the dirty clothes.
My kids never would have carried a laundry bag that said “laundry” anywhere…so ask your kid before you buy.