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Hang, Fold, Store

Is your closet ruining your clothes? Stylist Wendy Norwood-Patterson says there are specific rules for what you should hang, fold and store.

Hang:

Use ONE type of hanger to keep your closet looking uniform.
Fabric or foam covered hangers keep clothes from slipping off.
Use double sided tape to keep clothes from slipping off wooden hangers.
Hang blouses, dresses, skirts, pants and scarves.
Keep the top button closed when hanging button-up clothes to keep the collar crisp.
Never keep clothes inside a plastic dry cleaning bag. It traps chemicals. Keep them hanging freely or use a garment bag.
If a dress or shirt comes with hanger straps attached, use them! Don't cut them off.
Use a foam packing sleeve to cover the top of beaded dresses. Just cut a hole for the hanger.
When using clip hangers, place a small piece of tissue paper between the clip and the fabric to keep indentions off the fabric.
Hang pants by the waistband, by the bottom hem or folded in half.

Fold:

Fold knits, t-shirts and sweaters because hangers can stretch them out.
Fold jeans neatly in piles and place on a shelf for easy access. Be sure to stack each style (skinny, boot cut, etc.) in separate piles.
Use a shirt box lid (with taped edges) as a folding board for perfect, uniform folds every time.
Fold delicate knits like silk with tissue paper tucked inside.
Fold nubby knit sweaters then wrap the outside in tissue paper to keep them from getting snagged.

Store:

Store out-of-season clothes in a hanging or stand-alone garment bag, plastic bins or vacuum storage bags.
To keep clothes smelling fresh while stored away, put a sachet or cedar block in the container.
If you live in a humid climate or your closet is located near the bathroom, try a moisture control tool like Damp Rid to keep moisture and mildew away.
If you have extra closet space, try hanging boots instead of letting them flop over on the floor (special hangers required).
Protect suede shoes in plastic see-through shoes boxes.
Protect purses in dust covers or pillow cases.

For more information:
Wendy Norwood Patterson, stylist