Mirror/Mirror Episodes
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:
Wendy Norwood Patterson, stylist
- 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 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 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.
Wendy Norwood Patterson, stylist
