Avoid Cluttered Linen Closets

Some of us are lucky enough to have linen closets that allow us to keep our stored linens in piles and still have room for toiletries and other items we like to keep handy. Most of us don’t have that luxury and have to devise ways to keep our linen storage neat. The challenge is even greater if we have family members helping themselves to sheets and towels or putting way the clean laundry.

We have a few strategies that work for most families and really work well for individuals.
The first step in deciding what to keep where is to consider where your linen closet is located. If it is in the upstairs hallway near the shared bath, where will you keep table linens and things you use in the downstairs bath? Is there room in the linen closet for things you use in the master suite, or would it be better to store those items closer to where they are used?

Once you have decided exactly what you are going to keep in the linen closet, take a look at the volume of stuff you have to store there. Remember you do not have to have every piece of linen that fits that category available for use. If you have twenty sets of sheets for the queen size bed, one set on the bed and one or two sets in the closet are enough to have on hand. Other sheets and pillowcases can be stored in less accessible spaces until they are needed for use. That goes for anything you have more than a few of. (Just don’t forget you have it and buy some more). That also goes for seasonal items that can be packed in plastic bags with the seasonal decorations.

When you are ready to stack things in the closet, consider using bins for toiletries and, if you do not need to consider safety of small children, place them on low shelves to minimize damage from spillage. If you need to consider child safety, place them out of children’s reach in containers with solid plastic sides and bottom. Place folded sheets and pillowcases inside one of the matching pillowcases and fold the pillowcase sided to fit the contents. Store on shelves with the unopened pillowcase seam facing out. Use the same principle with towels. Fold the washcloth and face towel inside the bath towel and store with the smooth side out. You may also consider rolling the towels, especially if you have deep shelves. If children need to access the linens, place them within easy reach so they do not have to climb to get them in our out of the closet.

If you store infrequently used items in the linen closet, fold them inside-out in order to prevent dust from accumulating on the used side. It is good practice to store tablecloths this way. Tablecloths may also be hung on towel racks mounted on closet or panty doors.

To keep the linen closet looking organized, tidy up the items in disarray when you put away clean linens or when you remove an item for use. Those two minutes will go a long way to keep the space in order.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransition.net