Organize Your Linen Closet

Do you have more linens than you'll ever use? Many of us have this same problem, causing our linen storage areas to get cluttered and disorganized. Finding what you need becomes an impossible chore, generating frustrating and wasting time. Let's banish these everyday woes and make changing the sheets a more bearable task again!

PURGE - Grab a large garbage bag or two in which you can put sheets you want to donate. Then pull out all of your linens, and separate them one by one into two piles – Those you'll use and those you won't use. Any sheets and linens can be thrown into the donation pile, no matter what their condition is like. Items that are too worn or old for donation centers are often sent to animal shelters and used for animal bedding.

ORGANIZE - Place similar items together – For instance, place towels on one shelf, sheets on another, and blankets on another. Organize each type of linen by size as well. Neatly fold each item in order to maximize space. You may even consider labeling the shelves so you don't forget where to put an item each time you do laundry.

MAINTAIN - Each time you do laundry, make sure each item is neatly folded and put away in its proper place. Never let baskets of clean linens sit for too long; Instead, take the next step and put them away immediately.

We hope we've helped you de-clutter and organize your laundry and linen areas this week! Don't forget to post photos of your newly organized spaces on Twitterusing the hashtag #SimplifyIn40Days, and on our Facebook page.

Happy organizing!

Simple Ways to Take Control of Your Laundry and Linens

Happy February!

We're kicking off the Simplify Challenge's final week by helping you organize two areas that often go hand-in-hand – Your laundry room and linen closet. Although doing laundry might not be the most romantic of tasks, it is nonetheless a necessary one we often do for those we love. This utilitarian chore is much easier if your space is organized and de-cluttered. You'll maximize your efficiency and also save time, meaning you'll have more of it to spend with your loved ones this Valentine's day and beyond!

As always, if you need help at any point during this process, feel free to contact us. We have a team of awesome professional organizers who are always happy to help!

Organize Your Laundry Room

Is your laundry room cluttered with things that don't belong there? Clutter simply creates added stress to an often dreaded task, causing us to procrastinate while piles of dirty laundry build. This space should instead be functional and minimalistic, making it easier to focus on decreasing those dirty piles. Let's get to work!

PURGE – Get out a trash bag and boxes in which you can place items that don't belong in the laundry room. Sort through each item in the room individually, placing items you want to donate, or those that belong in another part of the house, in the boxes. Next, put items that belong in another part of the house away in their proper places. Get rid of anything you know you won't use. Old cleaning supplies can be dropped off at a hazardous waste collection site; Call your city to find out where the closest site is located.

ORGANIZE - Organize cleaning supplies by category on shelves or in cabinets. Keep those you use more often in easy to reach spots, and those you use less often in harder to reach areas. Also, keep cleaning supplies used for laundry close to where they'll be used – so detergent, softeners, and bleach should go above the washer, and dryer sheets above the dryer, etc. If you store mops and brooms in this room, save space by hanging them on the wall and off of the ground.

MAINTAIN - Each time you use an item, put it back in its proper space. It'll be easier to find and help ensure the room stays clutter-free!