Today I am so excited to share with you my new baskets from Steele Canvas. I had been searching for over a year for a replacement for my cheap, wicker hampers  (bought on the fly around the time we got married). Like it or not, the laundry basket is something that I interact with multiple times a day, and I wanted to buy something that I loved and would have for a long time. You know, take some of the edge off of the endless homework of the wash, dry, fold, repeat? I knew exactly what I wanted: industrial, mobile, well-designed, and durable. I just couldn’t seem to find it! I kept thinking “I just want one of those awesome rolling carts that they have at hotels…” Well, folks. I found them. And they are perfect. Forget “Virginia is for Lovers”–in our house, “Laundry is for Lovers”, now!!

When I surfed into the Steele Canvas website, I felt like I had hit the jackpot. The company has been around for over 90 years, and they are sort of like the mecca of laundry baskets, carts, and hampers. Though they are primarily a supplier for big industry, they also sell to individuals for home use. The company is family-run, and all of their products are still manufactured here in the USA. That’s super unusual for a thriving retail business, and something I can get behind completely.

Browsing through their products for the home I immediately recognized their No. 152 Elevated Truck as exactly what I needed for my laundry. It comes standard in canvas, without the grid bottom, but Steele Canvas offers fully customizable options. I decided to order it in standard grey Steeletex fabric (although the color options are awesome!) rather than canvas because I wanted to be able to toss wet towels, and swimsuits in there without worry of mold. Have you ever had a moldy laundry bin liner? It’s gross. I want the laundry to be as low maintenance as possible and this Steeletex fabric is used in commercial fishing, so I was pretty sure it could get wet no problem.  I also opted to add permanent dividers to the inside of the cart, separating my whites, darks, and household linens.

My cart is a 4 bushel size, and I’d say each of my divisions holds an entire full load of laundry. For the linens, that’s a full set of king sheets, and about four big towels. I’ve been amazed how much it holds for being quite sleek. It fits exactly next to the bookshelf in my room, and when it’s full, I know I have three loads and will be done! This cart is seriously tough. It has a full steel frame, and the basket is industrial strength. I love the thick stitching and the no-nonsense grommets and casters. I feel like it will be around forever. In fact, I spotted this vintage Steele Canvas Basket in a consignment store last week (for $225!!) and the owner estimated it to be around 50 year old. Amazing, right?

Because it’s on wheels, Milo gets to help me pull it down the hall to the washer/dryer in the kitchen. He thinks that’s pretty cool. I live in a tiny apartment, which some cause some to argue that there isn’t space for something like this. My opinion is that the laundry has to go somewhere, why not put it somewhere I am excited to see it?! Dave thought I was a little crazy when I told him I wanted this custom cart (estimated at $160.oo+shipping including all customizations). But, since we’ve had it, he’s been completely impressed. He now loves it as much as I do.

After I had contacted Steele Canvas with my order, I mentioned to them that I would love to do a review of the product on my blog in exchange for a discount. (Nothing to lose, right?! I was going to buy it anyway!) They were super nice and said they would be happy to work with me, and mentioned it might be a good idea for me to review a product that was available for online order. So, I decided to go ahead and order one of their No. 122 Small Trucks  for the boys’ room, too. I got it in the standard canvas and 2.5 bushel size (retails for $99.70+shipping) and it’s just what I needed.

Can you believe how great looking this is? I love the clean, industrial design. this size is absolutely great for the boys. At 21″ high, it’s just at Milo’s fingertips for filling, pushing, and pulling around the house. It was a needed addition to the boys’ small shared room. The canvas is really heavy weight and durable, and the casters are removable with a wrench, in case I ever want it to stay put. Right now it is the home of all of Milo’s dress ups (and other rogue toys on occasion).