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

Hanging Towels, Toilet Paper and Laundry

Do you notice all the stuff that hangs around your bathroom? Towels and washcloths are usually ready to dry us off or drying out from the last use. Toilet tissue is resting in some handy spot within arm’s reach of the commode, and perhaps damp hosiery or lingerie, too delicate for the dryer, is draped across some inconspicuous hanger. All of this stuff takes up space and can contribute to a clutter filled bath. Storage solutions are available even for small spaces with little room for mounting hardware.

Towels and wash cloths can fit right on the front of cabinet doors with the clip on towel ring from Get Organized and Home Trends offers several options for hanging towels on shower doors or on a shower rod extension that is pressure mounted without tools. There are also descending hangers that fit on the door hinges and Home Decorators carries a standing tiered towel stand that works well in bathrooms with floor space but not much wall space. On the more expensive side, Hammacher Schlemer offers an English Heated Towel Stand that warms the towels to a comfy 120 degrees. Dry towels can be rolled and stored in decorative baskets or kept in an attractive box or storage bench.

Toilet paper stands that have the added benefit of an attached magazine rack are available at several retailers and matching canisters that attractively store toilet tissue are also sold. One standing tissue holder from Home Decorators has a magazine rack and storage space for two extra rolls of toilet tissue. It takes up less than a square foot of floor space.


When you have tidied up the towels and sequestered the tissue, you may still have to find a spot to dry a few items in the bathroom space. If the shower rod extension is not a viable option for you, there are several other products that might work. Home Trends has an instant clothesline like the ones in many seaside hotel rooms that mounts on one side of the wall and can be pulled to a spot as much as 60 feet away. They also carry clothes pin hangers and an insta-hanger that folds flat when not in use.

These tools can make a big difference in keeping your bathroom neat and free of clutter.

Check out the following sites for products:
Hammacher.com
HomeDecorators.com
ShopGetOrganized.com
Solutions.com
ShopHomeTrends.com


Beverly and Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net