Organizing A Linen Closet – 3 Easy Steps To Create Order

Tired of carrying a stack of clean towels to the linen closet, then balancing them in one hand while you try to stop the avalanche of sheets, hand towels, blankets, etc. resulting from having opened the door?  Linen closets are notorious for being a “catch all” in every home.  It’s easy to open the door, throw it in, and slam the door again.  Out of sight, out of mind – right?!?!  Time for a course on organizing a linen closet!

Step 1:  PREPARATION

Get three boxes ready:  KEEP, RE-HOME, and THROW AWAY.  The “re-home” box can be for things you will give to family members, charity, or Goodwill

Take everything out of the linen closet. You will only put back what you will truly use. We tend to use 20% of what we have about 80% of the time.

Put everything that doesn’t belong in the linen closet, but you are keeping, in it’s new home.  These will be items that have somehow found their way into the linen closet, but belong elsewhere in your house; children’s toys, etc.

Wipe off all the shelves and brush down any cobwebs.  Consider using some type of shelf liner, if you want.

Step 2:  PLANNING – WHAT TO KEEP AND HOW TO STORE IT

Keep:  2 bath towels per person, 2 – 3 hand towels per person, and 3 – 4 washcloths per person.  Put these in the KEEP box.

Also, keep 2 sheet sets per bed.  If you have multiple sizes of beds, consider color-coordinating the sheets (blue sheet sets on single beds, green sheet sets on double beds, etc.) so you know right away which sets fit on which bed.  Put the sets you are keeping in the KEEP box.

Put everything you aren’t keeping in either the RE-HOME or THROW AWAY boxes, and then put the filled boxes in the garage, to be dealt with later.  Actually, just go ahead and put the RE-HOME box in the back of the car, so next time you’re out and about you can drop those items off at Goodwill, a family member’s house, etc.  The THROW AWAY box? Put it into the garbage right now if you can, so you don’t clutter up the garage.

*** Got towels and washcloths that you aren’t keeping?  Take them to your local animal shelter or humane society.  They can always use old towels and such!  ***

How to fold bath towels:  Fold in half, then in half again, then in thirds.  Or roll and stack on the shelves, making them easier to grab and less likely to upset the whole pile.

How to fold sheets:  Fold flat and fitted sheets from the same sheet set, then place them into the matching pillowcase for each set.

Oh come on … you can fold a fitted sheet.  Here’s a schematic for you, courtesy of Matouk, from their blog:

See, wasn’t that easy!  🙂

 

Make use of file sorters from an office supply store to create stackable space for rolled washcloths and hand towels

Or use shelf dividers to section off areas for bath towels, hand towels, sheet sets, etc.

If you will have room under the shelves, consider using under-mount baskets, that slip over the shelf above and add storage space below.  Use this for small items that you need handy.  Make the most of ALL your space!

Use baskets and bins for smaller items.  Use clear containers to make contents easier to see, or use coordinated baskets for a more upscale look.

 

MyGift Metal Wire Wall-Mounted Towel Basket, Free Standing Magazine File Organizer Rack, Set of 2

YBM Home & Kitchen Bamboo Lingerie Drawer or Shelf Organizer Box Size 7 3/4Wx12 1/2Lx2 3/4H #330

2 Pack – SimpleHouseware Under Shelf Basket, White

 

Pro Tip:  USE THE INSIDE OF THE LINEN CLOSET DOOR

Put hooks and/or towel bars on the inside of the linen closet door, making it easier to find a set of towels or set of sheets the next time they are needed.

Or consider putting an ironing station there; attach a hook/holders on the door for ironing board, iron and spray starch.

Or put a bin (or two) on the door to hold the most-grabbed items – like TP, maybe?  🙂

 

WALL35 Country Style Chicken Wire Basket Kitchen Utensil Organizer Wall Mounted Storage Drawer Counter Top Organization (Black)

Spectrum Diversified Vintage Wall Mount Storage Basket, 15″ x 5″ x 7″, Industrial Gray

mDesign Wall Mount Ironing Board Holder with Large Storage Basket – Holds Iron, Board, Spray Bottles, Starch, Fabric Refresher for Laundry Rooms – Durable Steel, Chrome

 

Step 3:  NOW, WE ORGANIZE!

Use center shelves for things you use most often.  Use the higher and lower shelves for things you don’t need to access as much.

Place seasonal items/linens on an upper shelf, out of the way.  Keep what you use the most front and center.

Cleaning Supplies:  toss what you no longer use, discard anything that is leaking or torn, and anything over a year old.  Make a list of what you need to replace on your next trip to the store.

Put like items together.  Put items not used as frequently on a higher shelf.  Use bins or baskets to hold smaller items.

Here’s an example of how to organize your shelves:

• Top Shelves – Extra sheets, extra blankets, extra pillows, season linens (table clothes, etc.)
• Middle Shelves (used the most) – Bath towels, washcloths, hand towels, baskets with small, frequently used items (sponges, brushes, etc.)
• Lower shelves – paper towels, household supplies, toilet paper, trash bags, tissue, etc.

If you have small children, you may want to put cleaning supplies, trash bags, etc. on an upper shelf, out of their reach.

 

[bctt tweet=”Organizing a Linen Closet … and how to fold a fitted sheet!  #solomom #homeorganization ” username=”jrrmblog”]

 

For more ideas and photos, check out HGTV’s post on Organizing Your Linen Closet

Or find out what Real Simple has to say on the subject here – Organizing Your Linen Closet

What are your tips for organizing a linen closet?  Share them in the comments below, or share a post on the subject.

 

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