Ask Angie: Basic closet organization help

Dale

You often talk about wearing items multiple times. Which I do. I'm wondering how you organize your closet so you know what's freshly laundered and what's been worn? My closet ends up a mess trying to keep them separate.

10 years ago

General

16 replies

Latest reply was from MicheleS

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Not Angie, but I will sometimes hang things inside-out when I have worn them but not laundered them because they still seemed quite wearable. I don't like to wash things too much. I do rely on the sniff test, too.

10 years ago

Anonymous

im sure Angie has genius ideas on this, but my own trick is to slide a knitting placeholder onto the hanger of items that I've worn--I may even have been known to get completely anal about this by colour coding them to the number of times worn That way I can keep the item mixed in with my regular pieces for easier wardrobe planning.

You can buy these at Michaels in packets-- the ones I get look like tiny rubber bands. I can add a pic if you want.

I do gently brush and hang worn items separately overnight after wearing and sometimes hang them outdoors for a while refresh. I'd have made a good Downton Abbey valet!

10 years ago

Louise

Veteran

I put freshly laundered stuff to the right of each section so the stuff on the left has been there the longest, kinda keeps things rotating . I usually hang worn things on the curtain pole but if I did put it back in the wardrobe I'd put it to the left of the section so I know it needs to be worn next. I like the idea of putting something on the top of the hanger so I know it's already been worn x

10 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Dale, I hang my worn items back in their designated spot in my closet - as if they were newly laundered. If they are worthy of being worn again - why go to the trouble of separating them? The items don't smell and aren't dirty.

If I see that an item needs a quick iron because I've worn it before, I do so just before I wear it again.

10 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I do the same as Angie.If it's not dirty, no need to separate it. If it is, then I wouldn't wear it again before laundering.

10 years ago

Dale

Active Member

Wow, clearly everyone is more organized than me. Thanks all! I've always been afraid to mix in as I've been concerned about attracting clothes moths. We had an old closet before our renovation and I lost a lot of clothes. But I guess I should give that up now. So these suggestions are awesome for hanging items, what about clothes that don't hang (Ts, sweaters, etc)?

10 years ago

Liz

Veteran

I'm not sure I understand the difference for folding clothes. I also just return the item to the closet if it's still oK to wear (folded or hung) or put it in the laundry if it isn't.

But I've never dealt with clothing moths. Apparently they are attracted to items that have been worn?

10 years ago

Leighways

(website)

Active Member

Also not Angie...

But I put all my fresh on coathangers facing one way and the worn the other way, since I will be hanging everything up once it's worn. Pretty quick to do so long as you remember which way means what!

10 years ago

Leighways

(website)

Active Member

Images so it makes more sense.

First for me is cleaned, second is washed. Everything else goes into the washbasket.

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10 years ago

Dale

Active Member

Liz, that's exactly right. So it have crazy about keeping them separate ever since even though this part of the house is new and insulated.

10 years ago

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

Would it work to grab some cedar rings to slip over the hangers of worn clothes?

http://www.lowes.com/pd_360071.....70&st...

They're inexpensive and would both mark them and deter the moths.

10 years ago

Gigi

Veteran

Aliona, I like your idea of hanging the worn items separately overnight to air them out. In the summer, I am always reticent to replace worn items in the closet because I'm afraid that there might be a small amount of moisture in the clothes from perspiration, and I don't want mold to grow. (My closet is pretty full, and the clothes won't get good air circulation.) I had just been draping the items loosely over the edge of my chest of drawers for a night, but that looks really messy, and it can leave wrinkles also. I'm going to start hanging them on hangers in the bathroom and then replace them in the morning.

10 years ago

Cerinda

Veteran

If I think a top has another wear, I hang it (on a hanger) on the closet doorknob to air. And I hear you: I'm still freaky from a bout with moths more than ten years ago! I have lavender and cedar everywhere but the kitchen. (Thanks for the head's up on the cedar rings, Jenn.).

10 years ago

Dale

Active Member

Glad I'm not alone Cerinda, it scars you for life.

10 years ago

jackiec

Veteran

Hmm interesting about moths. That would drive me nuts. I do the same as Angie.

10 years ago

MicheleS

Active Member

Moths are my nemesis, too. Cashmere seems to be their favorite entree. I now keep my cashmere in zipper clothing bags with the lavender moth repellant from The Container Store, which does the trick. And yes, they do seem to prefer previously worn items.

10 years ago

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