Organizing Linen Closets

Do you ever wonder why we refer to sheets and towels and other miscellaneous things as linen? Wikipedia says that in the distant past, folks who could afford to dress the beds and have designated cloths for washing, used linen to make the items. The cloth was bleached white giving the name “white goods” as a synonym for linens. That is why stores advertise white sales even though sheets and towels now come in every color, hue and shade.

Wikipedia also publishes a list of things considered to be “linens”. The list includes:
Bed Sheet
Blanket
Dishcloth
Dishtowel
Doily
Napkin
Pillowcase
Tablecloth
Table Runner
Towel
Washcloth

Thinking about organizing these items in a linen closet takes a little mental sorting before digging in to do the physical sorting.

Do you really want to store all of these items in the same place? Is your linen closet big enough to hold sheets and pillowcases, blankets and coverlets, towels and wash cloths, table cloths, place mats, napkins and runners?

Our preference is to keep the items near the activities they support. If you have a centrally located linen closet in a one-story house, the best option may be to store all linens in that one space. If, however, you live in a multi-storied home or have limited space in the designated linen closet, we suggest you find solutions for storage near the place of use. Drawers, chests and storage boxes may serve this purpose.

Once you have selected a spot to store the items, sort through them and discard worn or torn items. Separate remaining items by seasonal and everyday use. Items used for holidays and special occasions can be stored in more remote spots on higher shelves or behind items that are used routinely.

Put sets together. For instance the fitted sheet, top sheet and pillow cases may be folded and slipped into one of the matching pillow cases which is then folded over to create a neat uniform package. Bath towels may be folded with the matching face cloth and hand towel tucked in the middle. This allows you to have all the pieces you need quickly when you change the linens. The same technique can be used for place mats and tablecloths with matching napkins.

Blankets, quilts and comforters can be reduced in bulk by using bags that allow air to be expelled, creating a more compact surface. These items may even be stored under a bed if space is at a premium.

Remember that linens need space to breathe so don’t pack the space so tightly that there is no room for air. Having these things organized will allow you to breathe a little easier too.

Beverly and Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net