So, I recently embarked on what I like to call “The Great Linen Closet Adventure.” You know how it is: you shove a bunch of stuff in a closet, promising yourself you’ll get to it later, and before you know it, you’ve created a chaotic cluttered MESS!
Yep, that was my hallway linen closet—an abyss of mismatched sheets, towels that seemed to have multiplied, and a few rogue pillowcases that had clearly lost their partners.
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One rainy Saturday, I decided enough was enough – it was time to get in there and clean it out… and organize it.
Like, do it for reals THIS time – I can’t tell you how many times I’ve “organized” it, when I was really just rearranging things to make MORE room to fit MORE stuff.
Why I do that? Heck, if I know – hopefully I’m not the only one (or maybe I am haha!)
As much as I dreaded getting in there and DOING it – I sure was excited to get it DONE.
I grabbed a cup of coffee (because let’s be real, caffeine is essential for any major decluttering mission), rolled up my sleeves, and opened the door to my linen closet.
I swear, a cloud of dust puffed out like it was saying, “What took you so long?”
I was greeted by a sight that could only be described as a textile explosion.
There were sheets crammed in every corner, towels leaning precariously like they were trying to escape, and I even found a Christmas tablecloth that I thought had disappeared into the void last year.
I mean, seriously, how does one person accumulate so many linens?
First things first, I pulled everything out. I felt like an archaeologist uncovering ancient artifacts as I sifted through the chaos.
There were the usual suspects: the faded floral sheets from my college days, the plush towels that felt like clouds, and the random beach towels that I can only assume were for a trip that never happened.
I made three piles: keep, donate, and what the heck was I thinking?
The “keep” pile was massive. I mean, who can say no to fluffy towels?
But the “donate” pile was a bit more liberating. I tossed in a few sets of sheets that no longer matched my vibe and some very over-used towels that really needed to go (they went to a local pet shelter).
Next up was organizing – the fun part, yay!
I grabbed some bins and labeled them because, let’s be honest, I’m a sucker for anything that involves a label maker.
I dedicated one bin to sheets, another for towels, and a smaller one for all those random kitchen linens that I can never seem to find a home for.
I even had a bin for miscellaneous items that I couldn’t quite figure out—like those tiny pillow shams that don’t match anything I own and ALL the hotel-sized soaps and travel shampoos that I can’t bear to part with (because you know, I go on SO many vacations… NOT haha!)
After a solid hour of folding, sorting, and a little bit of sweating (who knew organizing could be such a workout?), I stepped back to admire my handiwork.
The closet looked amazing!
Everything was neatly stacked, labeled, and you could actually see the floor of the closet! I felt like a linen closet hero.
Of course, I can’t forget the little moment of triumph when I found a long-lost pair of sheets that I thought had gone missing ages ago. It was a mini-reunion of sorts, complete with happy dance vibes.
***Just a note: I learned some pretty important lessons and “Do’s” and “Don’ts” when organizing my linen closet that might help ya out:
Do’s:
- Do Sort by Category: Group similar items together—sheets, towels, and blankets. This makes it easier to find what you need quickly.
- Do Use Clear Bins: Invest in clear storage bins to keep smaller items organized and visible. Label them for extra clarity!
- Do Fold Neatly: Use the folding method that works best for you, whether it’s the classic fold or the Marie Kondo technique. Neat stacks maximize space.
- Do Rotate Seasonal Items: If you have seasonal linens, store off-season items at the back and keep current ones at the front for easy access.
- Do Purge Regularly: Make it a habit to go through your linens every few months to donate or discard anything you no longer use or need.
Don’ts:
- Don’t Overstuff: Avoid cramming too many items into the closet. It’ll make it harder to find things and can lead to wrinkled linens.
- Don’t Ignore Damaged Items: Get rid of any torn, stained, or worn-out linens. They take up space and don’t serve a purpose.
- Don’t Use the Closet as a Catch-All: Resist the temptation to store miscellaneous items that don’t belong. Keep it strictly for linens!
- Don’t Forget About Pillowcases: Keep pillowcases paired with their matching sheets to save time when making the bed.
- Don’t Skip Labels: Labeling bins and shelves helps everyone in the household know where to find and put back items, keeping the closet organized longer!
So, what’s the takeaway from my linen closet saga?
Sometimes, you just have to dive into the mess to find the beauty underneath.
Plus, it’s an excellent excuse to drink copious amounts of coffee and maybe even discover some treasures you forgot you had.
If you haven’t tackled your own linen closet lately, I highly recommend it. Who knows what kind of treasures you’ll uncover?
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