Organizing Your Linen Closet

Is your linen closet bulding at the seams? For many fpeople, linen closets turn into catch-all spots for much more than just sheets and towels - paper products, extra toiletries and other household supplies come to mind. So how can you clean things up? Here are five tips to get you started on making (and keeping) your linen closet more organized, and things easier to find.

Clean and Purge

It's easy for things to get stuck in the back of a closet if you don't use them every day. Are there old sheets and towels that are too ratty to use, so they're just stuffed in the back? Are there cleaners or bathroom products you've had for far too long? Toss them and start over. 

Install Adjustable Shelves

If you can, install adjustable shelves in your linen closet. This helps keep the space organized as you can adjust shelving to fit your items rather than trying to put things wherever they'll go. There are many closet organizing systems to choose from, in a wide range of prices. Head to my favorite, The Container Store, for a huge array of options. The big box stores like Target, Home Depot and Lowes also offer many storage options. There's definitely something to fit both your needs and your budget.

Fold Sheets and Towels efficiently

To maximize space, be sure to fold your sheets and towels efficiently. Experiment with space-saving ways to fold your bath towels, hand towels and sheets. Have you discovered that rolling your clothes saves space in your suitcse? Try rolling your towels! Just be consistent so that you can stack each type of item neatly. The whole purpose of neatening and organizing is so you won't have items toppling and messing things up again!

Use Clear Bins

For smaller items like extra bathroom items or cleaning products, invest in clear bins so you can see what you have when you need it. This will stop you from having to dig around to find what you're looking for - and from putting things back in the wrong places.

Add a Fresh Scent

Unused sheets and towels can begin to smell a little musty if they're not regularly used. Prevent this by using a fresh scent in your linen closet. Lavender or cedar sachets are an excellent choice to help you keep your linens smelling fresh every time you pull them out.