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Scarf storage: avoiding wrinkling

Gigi

Veteran

I currently store my scarves on a scarf hanger (basically a thick wooden hanger with large holes in it), but I hate how they get all wrinkled in the middle (the part of the scarf that is squished in the hole). I used to store them folded in a dresser drawer, but that created creasing from the folds and used up valuable storage space.

What have you found is the best way to store scarves when it comes to avoiding wrinkling? Or do you just let them get wrinkled and then iron them every so often?

It seems like the wrinkling is more of an issue when the scarf has been unworn for a long time, such as during the spring and summer. I don't notice it as much in the colder months, when I am using the scarves more frequently.

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27 replies

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Cardiff girl

Veteran

I tend to store my scarves in a box under the bed and roll them to minimise wrinkling but I have been known to iron them as well.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I keep most of mine folded in a drawer. But a few that are prone to wrinkling I keep folded in half lengthwise and hanging over a trouser hanger from the dry cleaner--i.e., the wire hanger with cardboard tube--one per hanger. They stay pretty nice this way, and don't take up too much space.

Gus1115

For the ones that are prone to wrinkling, I wrap around a paper towel roll and secure with rubber bands. It’s a hack I saw in a magazine and it works.

MsMary

Veteran

When I designed my Woman Cave, I installed special scarf hangers, which I love. May not be practical but you could do something similar with hangers as Firecracker suggests.

Funny story: I was showing a very fancy friend my scarf arrangement and she said "Oh, I have something similar in my butler's pantry for tablecloths!"

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SarahD8

Veteran

I fold mine and store them upright, Marie kondo-style. The silk ones do crease a bit, but the creases generally fall out with wear so I don't worry about it too much.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

It honestly never occurred to me to be concerned about scarf wrinkles.

eta: I use one of these, mostly so I can see everything.

Scarf Hanger - Made By Design™

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Anonymous

I hate a creased scarf and just don’t buy those that will look that way . I hang the 5 or 6 that are in constant rotation on hooks ( I think it was designed as a towel or coat hook) I’ve installed in the wall in my office . I just drape themover the hooks and it seems to work for me . The rest of my collection are draped over velvet hangers - usually a few to a hanger - which I have hanging from a hook on the back of my closet door .

Greyscale

Veteran

I roll my wool scarves and keep them in a closed box after my moth scare last year (one wool scarf had suddenly turned into lace, thanks to hungry moths). Rolling works pretty well for avoiding wrinkles.

My intentionally-crinkled cotton scarves are stored twisted in a basket (anyone remember those long cotton broomstick skirts from hippie stores that you were supposed to line-dry in a double twist?).

Silk scarves are mostly square kerchief style and I fold them into quarters and store them flat, in the same basket as the crinkly scarves.

Like the Season

I store my scarves gently folded in fabric boxes, similar fabric weights together. My handknit scarves and shawls are also stored this way. The boxes live on shelves built for the purpose by Mr. LTS.

cjh

(website)

Veteran

I fold and lay scarves flat. The silky ones are inside a zip top bag, so they don’t slide around in the drawer and tangle themselves up when no one’s looking. The wooly ones are stacked in a little center door compartment of my large dresser.

The main trick I use to keep them straight, although they do crease and I iron them sometimes, is to remove the stack or baggie, and neatly slide out or replace the desired scarf out without letting the others unfold.

shiny

Veteran

I've never ironed a scarf nor have I worried about wrinkles, but then I don't have any silky scarves. But I do have a lot of scarves, and have tried every storage trick in the book.

I like my current solution. I had custom shoe shelves made with the reno. I decluttered my shoes down to free a (maybe 4 feet? wide) shoe shelf of shoe depth. Then folded the scarves "skinny" (i.e., pair of shoe width) and stacked them by color, arranging them in a rainbow across the shelf. With heavier weight scarves on the bottom and lighter on top. But in winter I'll reverse that for easier access.

binkle

Veteran

I also do a Kondo-ish roll and store upright in a plastic shoe box - this is for the longer scarf-types. The square-shapes are folded and also stored upright in a separate drawer. This could be consolidated if I get my act together.

Anonymous

the wooden hanger with holes in it works for my scarves. I thread them through with long overhangs on each side. For any scarves that are too thick for that, I hang on hangers. Haven't had an issue with wrinkles. I must "see" my scarves or I don't use them like I need to. So I don't fold and put in a drawer or on a shelf. Plus I love seeing the colors in my closet. This photo shows scarves on the wooden hanger plus some on black hangers.

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Echo

Veteran

I generally iron my scarves at the beginning of the season and then fold them a different way each time I put them away, which reduces wrinkling. But the wrapping around a paper towel tube is a GREAT idea! I love that and I think I will use it.

I only wear silk scarves, and sometimes they get wrinkled and creased just from wearing, so I could never keep them through scarf holes or tied on anything. It is a pain, but I would never change the scarves I wear simply to avoid wrinkling. The ironing and care with folding is well worth it to me.

Gigi

Veteran

Great ideas, everyone! It looks like I will have to try some version of folding, rolling up, or hanging on a hanger. But it looks like I have some ironing to do in the near future, regardless!

Katerina

Veteran

I have recently reorganized my closet space and got some flat drawers for my thinner scarves. I keep my scarves folded and laid in the the drawers so I can see them all. I have them organized by size and “age”. It seems to work at the moment. The scarves do get creased to some degree, I iron them time to time. But that has always been the case.

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Anonymous

Katerina, I love that dresser! Is this a custom closet or did you find the dresser in a store you care to source? We need more drawer space in our closet. But I cannot custom design it just now.

Katerina

Veteran

https://m.ikea.com/us/en/catal...../40196241/

It is IKEA, drawer unit Alex, added a link. It is for offices, but works nicely for scarves

Kate

Veteran

I roll mine, and store them in open boxes in my dresser drawers. If the occasional scarf needs de-wrinkling, I give it a quick pass with my upright steamer. That's one of the best purchases I ever made.

Katerina, I love your repurposing of the IKEA Alex for scarves—brilliant! I'm so tempted to do the same. Wonder if Alex will fit into my closet....

Anonymous

thank you for that link! That drawer unit's dimensions would fit in a closet pretty easily and could "house" lingerie, socks, workout clothes, husband's tee shirts, etc. you are jumpstarting a makeover . . . white is also such a clean look for closets that are often closed-in spaces.

Sara L.

Veteran

I store mine similar to Jenn. Mine are actually on a couple towel rods that DH installed in my closet. I knot them over the rod like Jenn shows. They don't seem to wrinkle but most of mine aren't silk.

Katerina

Veteran

Thank you Kate and CJ.
CJ - just beware that the drawers are not at all deep, any thicker items do not fit in. Workout clothes and t-shirts might not fit in, but the drawers are perfect for thinner scarves, gloves, belts, smaller accessories etc.

Anonymous

Katerina plonk! I want a closet like that when i grow up:)
My scarves are now in a fabric bin. If they get wrinkled i just toss them in dryer w wet washcloth.
I had them on a scarf hanger in my tiny closet, but they looked cluttery compared to the rest which is color coded.

viva

Veteran

I have a stiff deep box that I keep scarves in. Heavy ones are folded on the bottom, lighter ones are loosely draped on top. I don't have that many, which is why this works. For some reason, a lot of hanging scarves is a pet peeve of mine. I like a tidier looking closet - but I do sometimes have wrinkles that i need to steam out. (I have a small portable hand steamer always at the ready.)

The Cat

Veteran

I let all my scarves hang from single hangers (the kind that has a horizontal
"bottom line" and are meant for trousers). I place 3-6 scarves on each hanger.

cindysmith

Veteran

Folded and stacked on a shelf in my closet

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Anonymous

I have a set up similar to MSMARY only mine is a grate ( see avatar)
Before DH set that up, I had metal bars with rings ( think bangle bracelets) with each scarf through a ring)
But I have 60-70 scarves - my fashion addiction.