5 Items to Purge From Your Linen Closet Now!
Linen closets are one of the most straightforward places to organize. Linens, toiletries, and medicine are the only categories that really belong. Although it’s a high-use, generally organized space, you’d be surprised at what may be in the back of yours! As for quantities of sheets, towels, etc.; decide what you think you should own before going through your linen closet. Generally, 2-3 sets per bed in your house is a good rule to follow, 2 towels for each person, and 4 towels for guests or if laundry day gets postponed. Keep reading for 5 things you should remove when going through your linen closet.
1: Stained or torn linens
The first (and easiest) step to start going through your linen closet is to get rid of any stained, torn, or very old linens. It’s time to upgrade! While you may think you’ll use these linens as cleaning rags, chances are you have cleaning rags, and your good intentions are just causing you to take up space in your home. Drop them at a local textile bin or animal shelter instead of throwing them away.
2: Mismatching sets
If you pull everything out, match sets together, and you’re left with a few top or bottom sheets that don’t match, toss those in your donate/recycle pile, too. Pillowcases, however, are always good to have extra of, and should be changed more frequently than you change your sheets (every few days, believe it or not!). After you’ve matched your sheet sets, try folding them together in a bundle so each set is ready to go, rather than sorting by piles of top sheets, bottom sheets, and pillowcases.
3: Sentimental linens
Everyone has a few baby blankets, T-shirt blankets, or other sentimental linens shoved in the back of their linen closet. You don’t necessarily need to let go of these items, but this isn’t the best place to store these. Get a weatherproof bin or bag to store these items in and store them in your basement or attic to free up some closet space if they aren’t being used frequently.
4: “Just in case” Linens
Have you heard of our 20/20 rule? If you can get something within 20 minutes or it’s under $20, you can feel good about letting it go today. This rule applies to any linens you’re still thinking of saving. If you have bedding for beds you don’t own anymore (i.e. you no longer have a twin bed), it’s time to say goodbye. Keeping linens “just in case” for slumber parties, painting projects, fort building, etc. is not worth the space they take up, and the confusion you experience when you’re looking for the sheet set you do want.
5: Expired Medications/Beauty Products
Along with linens, many people tend to keep their backstock toiletries and medications in their linen closet. Do a quick scan and toss anything that’s expired or products you know didn’t work well for you. While you’re there, you may want to organize your toiletries with these awesome bins.
