Organizing the Linen Closet

Get tips on how to keep your linen closet organized.

Excerpted from Houseworks, by Cynthia Townley Ewer
Filed under: Organization

DK - House Works © 2010 Dorling Kindersley LimitedMake your bed work. Tuck an extra set of pillowcases and sheets between the mattress and base of every bed. The weight of the mattress will keep linens smooth, and they’ll be close at hand.

Crisp sheets, fluffy towels, and colorful tablecloths represent gracious living and a happy home — and deserve proper storage to maintain your investment. Whether your household includes a formal linen closet, or you store linens in a cupboard or chest of drawers, these tips will keep household fabrics looking their best.

1. Store clean and dry.
Keep the linen closet fresh and preserve pretty fabrics by storing only clean, dry linens. Even if a tablecloth looks clean, any hidden stains will harden and discolor during storage. Body odors trapped in blankets can cause musty odors, while moisture encourages mildew.

2. Keep cool, dark, and dry.
The watchwords for proper linen storage: cool, dark and dry. In humid areas, packaged de-humidifying granules will help keep the linen closet free from moisture and mildew.

3. Take turns.
For best wear, ensure that you rotate linens. Place freshly washed towels at the bottom of the stack or draw clean sheets from the bottom of the pile to use all your linens in rotation.

4. Refold.
If linens aren't in active use, refold them once or twice a year. This will prevent creases becoming fixed and avoid fiber damage along the creases.

5. Avoid cardboard.
They may seem a practical storage option, but don't store linens in cardboard boxes. Acids in the cardboard transfer to the fabric, causing yellowing and damage, while the glue between the layers is attractive to pests — and when they're finished with the cardboard, they'll often start feeding on the fabrics.

6. Store sweet and fresh.
Tuck fabric softener sheets into the linen closet or the linen storage areas — and your bedding and towels will come out smelling sweet and fresh.

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Excerpted from Houseworks, by Cynthia Townley Ewer