Even if you don't have a closet dedicated to just your linens, how do you keep it all organized? We're about to tackle this project during the week, and we're looking at the guru of housekeeping herself, Martha Stewart, for guidance and inspiration. While all of her tips that we've been perusing sound great in theory, we're wondering how easy it would be to maintain her linen system in the weekly grind...
How Do You Organize Your Linen Closet?
Here are three tips from Martha Stewart on organizing the linens (we're a wee bit skeptical on the whole "put the fresh linens at the bottom of the stack!" tip; that might not happen all the time in our household...):
Tip 1
Store sheet sets together in one pillowcase in your linen closet or even in an armoire. Label and group your sheet sets by bedroom or by size, such as twin or full. Then, neatly stack sets on shelves. This way, when making up beds, you can easily find just what you need. Remember to always use the sheet set on top and to put clean sets, fresh from the wash, on the bottom. This rotation will ensure sheets wear evenly over time.
Tip 2
Adding brackets to closets or armoires is a great idea for neat stacks. Forming neat stacks prevents folded clothes and linens from toppling. Choose shelf brackets with the long side measuring just less than the height of your shelf and the short side equal or less than the depth; place the shorter side of each on the shelf and the longer side against the wall. To secure, drill two wood screws into each bracket from the shelf's underside.
Tip 3
Adding a bundle of chalk in a closet or armoire helps absorb extra moisture and keeps clothing and linens fresh and dry. Mount a hook in the closet or armoire, fasten a rubber band around a dozen pieces of chalk, and cover the band with ribbon, allowing enough loop to hang chalk.
[ Photos and tips from Martha Stewart ]
Comments (13)
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How timely - I am going to tackle my linen/cleaning supplies/extra shampoo/misc. crap closet next weekend.
view mdeathstar's profile
great idea to stack a set in one pillow case! I'll do it today.
Also didn't know about chalk... will do that too
view Masik's profile
I organize my sheets in a pillow case like that! Can't believe I do something right according to Martha.
I keep my sheets in a basket in my closet; my son's sheets in a fabric cube thingy on his bookshelf; and our towels in my bedroom dresser. (Not entirely happy with that, but there is no place for towels in the bathroom and no room for a linen closet anywhere. It just means the roommate has to come into my room for towels, not such a big deal.)
view mjoe's profile
I installed an IKEA Grundtal shelf above the mirror in my bathroom - it holds folded towels just fine.
I also use an IKEA Forhoja shelf w/ drawers mounted on the wall above the toilet for all the little odds and ends (soap, razorblades, etc.) I pulled a drawer out and place rolled up washcloths inside - and use that drawer in the closet to help organize little seldom-used items in there.
view bepsf's profile
i wish i had a linen closet! :(
my solution, rubbermaid containers under my bed.....ahhh the beauty of studio livin!
view E.M.H's profile
Instead of chalk I use a bag of silica cat litter to remove dampness from the chest that holds all my linens. Silica is awesome cause it changes from clear to cloudy when it is all done sucking in moisture.
view Hollie's profile
I don't have enough linens to organize. I have one set of sheets for my bed and one for guests. I keep the guest sheets in a drawer under my bed. The few towels I have I roll up and put on a shelf in my bedroom closet.
Why would there be dampness in a closet?
view jooly's profile
I have a little linen closet and not a lot of linens. I organize by set as well, though I don't keep each set in the pillow case. I started storing my linens this way after I read about the suggestion in Domino magazine when they researched a professional cleaning school. I find that this system works well for keeping the linens organized and easy to find. I haven't noticed an issue with dampness, maybe I should look into this. And as far as rotation is concerned, I can keep mental track of which set I've used more recently, but Martha's suggestion is pretty handy. I'm not sure how much you have in the way of linens, Grace, but I don't think the system Martha is outlining sounds terribly difficult to execute. I bet you'll find it easier once you give it a go.
view jamjaree's profile
i use stylish totes and shelving! haven't really found the BEST place for them, the closets here are small. I may hide them behind my curtain to my dressing area. at least they're contained!
view indiasoup's profile
container store - large boot boxes under the bed. it's the only space we have. they are labeled and only one set per box of course. :P
view mscot's profile
Do what Martha does to stay organized with a grid:
Step 1. Hire a house keeper
Step 2. Hire another house keeper
Step 3. Hire a third house keeper to over see house keepers 1 & 2
view right angle's profile
Boy, I sure wish I had a linen closet to organize. My dream.... My linens and towels are squashed into different drawers in my dresser and in plastic carts in my closet.
view lolax's profile
In my last apartment I actually had a walk-in linen closet! It was child's play to keep it excruciatingly organized because there was so much space.
view luna's profile