No-Nonsense Hacks to Organize Your Closet

Closets are the last thing you would like to devote your time to clean up, right?

Here is a step-by-step guide to organizing your closet.

Foldables

Fold clothes in one standard style and size to make your closet look neat and impressive.

How to arrange your foldables:

1. If you don’t have built-in storage shelves; opt for metal shelf dividers available in the market.  Make individual stacks by grouping tops according to sleeve length (tank tops, short sleeves, long sleeves), kind (polo shirts, t-shirts) or color (blacks, blues, reds, beiges).  Go with whichever works best for you.
2. Tuck the arms to prevent sleeves from showing and getting wrinkled.  When stacking, place the bulkiest at the bottom to prevent crushing of delicate items.
3. Dressier garments of delicate fibers deserve special treatment.  Premium cashmere, sequined, beaded, vintage, or other vulnerable pieces should be carefully folded and individually stored in paper boxes or canvas bags to prevent snagging and tugging.
4. Make sure that everything that you will store is totally clean.  Odors and/or the slightest of dirt trapped in the fibers of a single garment can attract moths to the whole stack.
5. Hoods and turtlenecks should be left hanged over the back of a stack otherwise the extra bulk may shake off the pile’s balance.
6. Fasten all buttons and zip up all zippers before folding to preserve the garment’s shape.

Storing Sweaters and Cold Weather Garments

1. Avoid dark, warm, humid spaces.  They have the perfect condition for moths and mildew to flourish.
2. Don’t use mothballs.  They can irritate skin and eyes, and the smell can be hard to remove.  Yes, they kill insects but they aren’t necessary if you are storing cean clothes in a dry place for just a few months.
3. Use hangers to prevent creases but take precautions against the mark they can leave. Wrap quilt filing or muslin around the bars on pant hangers, and use to line the clips of skirt hangers as well.
4. Go easy on delicates.  Lay houses and sweaters flat when possible to avoid deep wrinkles.  Or double them over, folding softly where necessary.

 

 

Quick tip: Fold all knit tops and sweaters. Hanging them may lead to deformed shoulders and too much stretching.

Bags and Purses

Arrange large bags that can  stand by themselves side by side on a shelf. Kikay bags and flat clutches are best stacked.  Group smaller purses separately so they don’t get lost among bigger ones.  You may also want to consider stacking similarly shaped ones within each other.  Store rarely used bags of leather or suede in cloth sacks to keep them in their crisp form.

Quick tip:  Baskets make for convenient organizers!

Hangables

It is a welcome sight to see your clothes neatly lined up on your closed rod.  And yes, pants are best hung.

How to arrange your hangables:

1. Separate jackets from blouses, skirts and pants (including slacks and jeans).  Group by sleeve or hem length, solids or prints, or color.
2. With sheer or delicate skirts, place a small piece of canvas (paper can be a substitute) between the hanger clip and waistband.  Or opt for rubber-lined clips to protect your skirts from marks.  If you have time, sew ribbon loops at the waistband and use these to hang the skirt.
3. A suit may be treated as separates.  Let your jacket join your other jackets, pants with other pants, etc.
4. Always remove dry-cleaned items from their plastic bags.  Trapped chemicals can destroy the fibers.
5. Pants with ironed-in creases should be folded along each crease and clipped at the edges.

Flat fronts should be secured at the outermost edge.  Never pull a waistband too tight between clips as it stretches the clothing.

How to buy  hangers:

Uniform hangers help out order in your clothes.

Spend for:

Plastic tubular:  These are inexpensive and all-purpose (opt for those with “hooks” for shoulder straps)

Basic clip: Go for rubber-lined clips that won’t damage your clothes.

Skip the:

Clamp: They leave ugly marks and are never long enough to secure a full waistband.

Tiered:  It only adds bulks and clogs your closet.

Storing Accessories

Jewelry

Hang regularly used necklaces on pegs, hooks or a belt rack.  Expensive jewelry are best placed individually in cloth bags.  Always close all clasps to avoid tangling.

Scarves

Wool scarves should be rolled while silk, rayon and other fabrics may be hanged on special hangers or folded and stored in a cloth bin or your extra open bag.  In the case of fringed scarves, fold in half then roll, with the tassels facing out.

Footwear

If you prefer to store shoes on a shelf rather than wire racks, group them according to heel height.  However, wire racks help shoes breathe and save space.  Place frequently used pairs on eye level for convenience.  Flip-flops and slippers should be individually stored in clear boxes, soles together.  Line up boots on the closet floor. To prevent the spread of dirt and odor, make sure the hems of your clothes don’t touch even the tops of your boots.

Quick tip: Make sure that your shoes and sandals are clean before placing them inside your closet.