http://unclutterer.com/discuss/tags/clothing The community for people interested in home and office organizing. en-US Mon, 13 Feb 2012 12:42:00 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q http://unclutterer.com/discuss/search.php http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/closet-purging-and-organizing-what-are-your-tips-and-tricks/page/4#post-46351 Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:06:17 +0000 liag 46351@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>Advertisers will try to get you to purchase very expensive washer cleaner--not needed. Vinegar in detergent dispenser through a hot-ish water cycle in empty washer does the trick. </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/closet-purging-and-organizing-what-are-your-tips-and-tricks/page/4#post-46349 Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:54:47 +0000 EraserGirl 46349@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>@Allovertheplace i agree, i have top loaders and i leave them open when not in use and intermittently i will WASH the washer - run an empty bleach load and then let it dry. </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/closet-purging-and-organizing-what-are-your-tips-and-tricks/page/4#post-46152 Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:43:59 +0000 snosie 46152@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>Congrats Ella, I'm sure it's blissful now! I've been taking photos of 'after' linen press and pantry, post clean up (almost to remind me when it gets bad again, how good it can look!)</p> <p>Thanks allovertheplace - I shut my front loader mostly to be tidy, but seein git's just me, I'll let it air more!!</p> <p>I used home made washing detergent - washing soda and grated Lux or sunlight soap (for aussies). Works, and doesn't cost much at all. should try 2 tsps (I mean, I didn't want it not to work, now I know it does, I'll scale back a little!)</p> <p>My closests only smell musty when I'm in a house with rising damp! Which I'm not now - woo hoo! </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/closet-purging-and-organizing-what-are-your-tips-and-tricks/page/4#post-46146 Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:20:12 +0000 Allovertheplace 46146@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>Also, if you are using a front loader, make sure you 1) always leave the door open when its not in use and 2) Clean/dry the front seal after use. When I first got my front loader I noticed that after 6 months my towels were smelling mouldy - I washed them again, and again- and they STILL smelled. Finally worked out that I hadn't done either of those things and the front seal was very mouldy! hence the smell. </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/closet-purging-and-organizing-what-are-your-tips-and-tricks/page/4#post-46116 Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:29:44 +0000 Irulan 46116@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>Congratulations, Ella! Enjoy your beautiful new closet. </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/closet-purging-and-organizing-what-are-your-tips-and-tricks/page/4#post-46110 Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:05:07 +0000 bandicoot 46110@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>o lord yes.<br /> 2 tsp of detergent per load is enough! truly!<br /> a box of detergent lasts foreverrr around here!<br /> and everything is clean.</p> <p>congratulations ella!<br /> you have been so persistent and consistent and the reward is lovely, no? </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/closet-purging-and-organizing-what-are-your-tips-and-tricks/page/3#post-46090 Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:31:07 +0000 pkilmain 46090@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>LOL, bandicoot is the queen of using less detergent. I started doing the same about a year ago, and I have not noticed that my clothes are any less clean. I do pretreat any stains I find, esp grease based ones. </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/closet-purging-and-organizing-what-are-your-tips-and-tricks/page/3#post-46089 Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:18:57 +0000 Lori Paximadis 46089@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>Fantastic, Ella! Congratulations! </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/closet-purging-and-organizing-what-are-your-tips-and-tricks/page/3#post-46088 Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:10:27 +0000 EraserGirl 46088@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>I was reading up on why some of my clothes were coming out of the wash and even though i knew they were perfectly clean, they smelled. What i learned is that most people use too much detergent and the clothes never really rinse it all out. That build up is one of the things that keeps the clothes from getting clean. I had been careful with the detergent but apparently not as careful as i could have been.</p> <p>I started adding Vinegar to my rinses even doing a double rinse if i think it is needed. I haven't had a problem since. </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/closet-purging-and-organizing-what-are-your-tips-and-tricks/page/3#post-46086 Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:46:40 +0000 chacha1 46086@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>Congratulations, Ella. :-) Enjoy it! </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/closet-purging-and-organizing-what-are-your-tips-and-tricks/page/3#post-46034 Mon, 30 Jan 2012 22:35:38 +0000 Ella 46034@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>I've just reread this entire thread, now that it's the end of my closet project for January. It was a success, 100 percent, and I really have to give much of the credit for that success to you wonderful people. Your support has meant more to me than you could know.</p> <p>I used so many of your clever ideas...<br /> - I worked on just one category each day, to avoid getting overwhelmed.<br /> - I arranged the keepers in categories across the long rack.<br /> - I used my shower curtain rod as a holding area while I worked.<br /> - As much as possible, I repaired things as I went along, though there are still several things in need of fixing.<br /> - I'm using the reverse hanger trick to mark the clothes that need repair.<br /> - I held up and/or tried on each garment to access size, comfort, and copasetic color.<br /> - Letting things go to Goodwill wasn't as hard as I had initially thought it would be.<br /> - Finally, I unwrapped several bars of scented jasmine soap and tucked them in corners throughout the closet.</p> <p>Now that I'm done, I can't stop opening the doors to marvel at my beautiful new closet. It would have been pointless to post any Before photos... it was just a solid wall of junk stuffed in there 3 feet deep like something out of an industrial trash compactor. But those days are gone. :)</p> <p>Thanks everybody! </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/american-clothing/page/2#post-44249 Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:31:45 +0000 chacha1 44249@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>Deva, REI, and Gaiam. Of course at this point Nina may be completely over this exchange. </p> <p>But, just to continue the discussion, in my observation the real granola-eating tree-hugging type companies are MUCH more likely to have sustainable, if not organic, natural fabrics in their products. </p> <p>Nothing, in other words, that you can buy in any mall. :-) </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/american-clothing/page/2#post-44230 Tue, 17 Jan 2012 13:09:15 +0000 alvanorichie 44230@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>i dun know how much price you want but i shop from <a href="http://www.apparelnbags.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.apparelnbags.com</a>, due to fast shipping, easy returns! </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/turning-beloved-t-shirts-intowhat#post-44055 Sun, 15 Jan 2012 23:19:54 +0000 LabbieLady 44055@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>Many years ago, I saw someone who made a quilt out of her daughters old baby clothes, so that is what I have been planning to do. I saved my favorite outfits And one day I will find someone to make a quilt for me. I can't wait! Hopefully it wont cost an arm &amp; a leg.</p> <p>In your situation, I think pillows sound like a fun idea:) </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/closet-purging-and-organizing-what-are-your-tips-and-tricks/page/3#post-43326 Tue, 10 Jan 2012 10:16:49 +0000 shebolt 43326@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>One area of my life that I actually have under control is my closet. Woo-hoo!</p> <p>Here are my tips:</p> <p>1. Huggable Hangers! They actually save space, don't leave bumps in your shirts, and things don't slip off. The only problem is the optional pant clips, which don't seem to grip thin trousers very well. I hang just about everything including t-shirts and sweaters, because I find that I'm really bad at managing piles of clothing in drawers. </p> <p>2. Sort in a way that makes sense to you. I sort by type (dresses, pants, skirts, short sleeve/sleeveless shirts, long sleeve shirts, jackets, fleece &amp; sweatshirts, cycling clothing. Then I sort by color within each type. Yes, I have a large wardrobe but this method works. I can easily see what I have, I can easily put things back where they belong, and when I feel like wearing a blue shirt, I can find one in a second. </p> <p>3. Purge as you go. I would never have the energy to pull everything out and do a massive purge. But I don't need to, because I purge frequently. As soon as I notice myself avoiding a certain item, I try to work it in. If I continue to avoid it, it goes into the donation bin. Life is too short to hang onto clothing that you aren't wearing and don't love. I don't fluctuate size, so I don't have clothing that no longer fits. That's also incentive not to gain weight, because I love what I own and wouldn't want to have to replace my wardrobe. </p> <p>If you aren't good about purging, try the reverse hanger method. Start with everything hanging the same way, and when you wear something, put it back with the hanger reversed. After a while, you'll see what you aren't wearing and can decide if it's worth keeping those itemms. </p> <p>4. Never, ever, overstuff your space. Nothing makes getting dressed more frustrating than not being able to easily access what you own. It also is an ultimate limit on how much you can own. My shoes are on shelves, which are full. I know that if I buy another pair of shoes, one existing pair has to go. This makes me think twice about impulse purchases. </p> <p>5. Only keep what you love, and which flatters you. Life is too short for mediocre, ill-fitting, and unflattering clothing. Life is also too short for uncomfortable shoes. This applies to shopping. If you try something on and are only wishy-washy about it: put it back. </p> <p>6. Accessories should be stored with the same attention. I use wall mounted tie racks to hang my necklaces, and acrylic bracelet holders. Rings get stacked on a cute little cat ring holder. I can also easily see everything I own and quickly pick out accessories for each outfit. </p> <p>7. I'm anti-dresser. I store my small items (undies, socks, bras) in bins on shelves in my closet. I have many multiples of the undies that work for me, and I fold the clean pairs and put them in the back of the bin. This means I constantly rotate through my collection. I sort my socks by type (regular, knee high, sport) and each type gets a bin. </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/closet-purging-and-organizing-what-are-your-tips-and-tricks/page/3#post-43275 Mon, 09 Jan 2012 19:11:14 +0000 rutheverhart 43275@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>I have been married to a man who cannot stand scent for so long that I forget scent is an option. I'm actually a bit jealous . . . </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/closet-purging-and-organizing-what-are-your-tips-and-tricks/page/3#post-43271 Mon, 09 Jan 2012 18:23:46 +0000 luxcat 43271@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>@DivorcedMotherof3</p> <p>I tried giving up dryer sheets recently and failed, but I did find a biodegradable and non-petrochemical version for a very reasonable cost. They are called "Sun and Earth"... I use the unscented but they have some nice scented versions too. </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/closet-purging-and-organizing-what-are-your-tips-and-tricks/page/3#post-43251 Mon, 09 Jan 2012 16:13:58 +0000 bandicoot 43251@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>i am all about air circulation and sunshine too. smells breed in dark rooms where the windows are never opened.<br /> like mimi, i am very sensitive to odours.<br /> synthetic fragrances are mostly hideous to my nose and my work involves gallons of essential oils.....so we generally have essential oils burning or i spray essential oils diluted in water around the house.<br /> lavenders, eucalypts and citruses are my preferences for this.<br /> a room filled with drifting lemon and lavender is a beautiful thing in my world. </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/closet-purging-and-organizing-what-are-your-tips-and-tricks/page/3#post-42936 Sat, 07 Jan 2012 02:59:39 +0000 djk 42936@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>Our only closet is also our only storage space, but it is well organized with a wire basket system. This allows air to constantly circulate through. It is also where I have racks of soap curing, so the smell is wonderful in there. The closet has no door, and our place is very compact so when we open the windows to air out the flat,it gets fresh there too. </p> <p>When I moved to Europe I didn't understand why do many city apartment windows would have duvets hanging out them but now I do this too. I shake off any cat hair that has accumulated, in the winter the cold air beautifully freshens the duvets, and in the summer that warm morning sun leaves a great smell somehow. It seems that our bedding is the only thing that can get a bit musty if we don't do this frequently. It didn't seem necessary in Vancouver but that could be because I slept with the window open year-round and a fan blowing directly on me all night. DH has that weird European idea that air (apparently not microbes?) makes you sick so he can't have any sort of draft on him at all. I get 5-6 colds a year here and used to get 1 a year, and I worked with the public... </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/closet-purging-and-organizing-what-are-your-tips-and-tricks/page/3#post-42890 Fri, 06 Jan 2012 18:16:57 +0000 Mimi 42890@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>there seems to be no smell in my wardrobe. dh is always envy because his wardrobe smells a bit "cozy" ;) i think the difference is:<br /> - if i wear clothes, i don´t put them back in the wardrobe before they are washed (exception: scarfs and some wool pullovers that i always wear with a tshirt/longsleeve under it. and i air the woolpullovers after i have worn them, just one hour or so, it makes a great difference, they smell like fresh air and wind when i put them in again). dh has some suits that he only airs every few weeks and they get dry cleaned just 2 times a year<br /> - often i leave the doors of the wardrobe open when i open the windows to air the space.</p> <p>and i don´t have many clothes, so there is a lot of air and not much cloth in the wardrobe, and the clothes are washed quite often. </p> <p>maybe i should note that i am veryvery sensitive to smells, it´s nearly a problem... </p>