Do you struggle organizing and pairing down your linen closet? You can get better results by trying some new ideas.  We all know that the linen closets can be home to a lot of “extra, lost or miscellaneous.” items. 

Extras

What kind of extra items are you storing in your linen closet? Extra sheets and blankets take up a lot of room. How many sheet sets do you really need?  The magic number is One!  You only really need one high quality and comfortable set of sheets for each bed in your home.  

Sheets

Investing in a great set of sheets will allow you to enjoy them for a very long time to come and not over crowd your linen closet.  

Only one set you ask?  Are you crazy?  Your laundry day will be so much easier with less. Plan your wash day so that you can wash and dry your sheets, wipe and spray down the mattress and immediately put the clean sheets back on your bed.   Ask yourself….. What if you really didn’t have to fold those fitted sheets?   Need help on selecting a good sheet set?

Check out Great Life Tips information on selecting a good set of sheets. You might be surprised that thread count is not the only factor.  https://www.greatlifetips.net/how-to-choose-the-best-sheets-for-your-sleep-needs.

Folding Sheets

How many time have you attempted to fold your fitted sheets but in the end gave up and rolled them into a pile and stashed them in the closet? If you only have one set per bed it really not only simplifies your laundry day, it is also a great way to save space in your linen closet.  

When you put the sheets into the linen closet it is hard to know if they are twin, double, queen or king size sets when you pull them out again in a week or two, especially if your sheets are the same color for all your beds.   They usually become messy and unorganized by the time you pull them out to use again.  

**An exception to this is: If you have small children then you might need two and only two for when they are sick. They usually have single beds and those sheets are easier to fold and store.**

More Sheet Storage

If you feel that you must have more than one set of sheets per bed then here are a few ways to store them that will make life easier when changing out your sheets.  

1) Store sheets in the room they will be used

2) Store all in the main linen closet together on one shelf. Print out a label with the size of sheets and put it on the shelf just underneath the sheet set.   Keeping the fitted and flat sheet together along with the pillow cases and shams will make organizing so much easier. 

3) If the pillow cases are large enough, fold and store them inside the pillow case to keep them all together. 

Simplifying this small part of your closet will make things so much easier.  

Organizing Your Linen Closet

Start getting organized by pulling out everything in your linen closet.  You will be surprised by how much is in the closet. How many half empty bottles of shampoo and soaps do you need?  This will be a reminder the next time you want to bring home those cute bottles from the hotel room to “just say no”.  You can only store and use so many “travel” size items before they are part of your organizing problem.   

Travel size items are not your only problem. How many mismatched thread worn towels do you have?  Animal shelters will love your donation of old towels, blankets and sheets.  https://www.obol.info/shelter-rescue. Check out similar projects in your area.

Steps to Sorting

 Wipe down all the shelfs.  If you are really feeling ambitious and want to spruce it up, paint the inside a bright color. Sort your items and like kinds together.

1. Lotions
2. Hair products
3. Sewing kit
4. Nail Polish, polish remover, files and clippers etc.
5. Medications:   These should not be stored in your bathroom because of moisture
6. Sheets
7. Towels
8. Summer Items: Sunscreen, Swim suites, Beach towels
9. etc.

Use containers to coral your items.   Don’t go out and purchase anything until you know what you really need.   Often you already have boxes or containers you can use to keep the items together and they do not need to match.  Be creative.  I personally use a variety of storage items just to put some interest in my linen closet.

I do like to switch out my shampoos and conditioner every few weeks so I keep one set in the shower and the other set in the linen closet.   .

Maintaining Your Supplies

I do not need to stock up ten bottles.  When one shampoo and conditioner run out I still have what is in the linen closet and then and only then do I purchase a new set. I do keep one container to coral any extras I have of anything.  I check that container before purchasing anything new.

Once you have everything out and sorted think about how often you use the items and where they should be in the closet.  During the winter months you will want to keep extra blankets within reach and store your beach towels and swimsuits on the top shelves.  When the seasons change….. just switch them around.   Think about the amount of closet space you have and only keep what is needed and does not “overstuff” the space.

What you need and how you organize your space will be different with each family. You do you and what is right for your family.   These are just some suggestions on getting you started to live with less and be more organized to keep your life running smoothly.

Labeling your shelves and containers will help your family and visitors know where things belong and that can help you stay organized.  You should be able to open your linen closet door and immediately see what you have.   If not?   You may want to pare down some more.  What will you do to make your Mountains To Molehills this week?

Nat Robinson’s article has some more great ideas to organizing your linen.  https://www.homequestionsanswered.com/what-is-a-linen-closet.htm