Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Change Of Season Is Perfect Time To Redo Clothes Closet

by Barbara A. Holt, Ph.D.

Clark County Extension Agent -

Family and Consumer Sciences

Cooperative Extension Service

The change of seasons is a perfect time to regain control of your closet. Finding what you need in a hurry can save time and prevent frustration.

Here are a few tips from Michelle James, clothing specialist, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Arkansas:

• Move summer clothes to another closet or into under-the-bed boxes. Make sure all clothes are clean and completely dry before putting them away.

• Never store clothes in plastic cleaner bags. They can trap humidity and cause yellowing. If you're storing summer clothes in a spare closet, just drape them with a clean sheet to protect them from dust.

• If you haven's worn something for over a year, get rid of it. It's just taking up space.

• Visit stores that specialize in closet organizing to get ideas for efficient closet space planning and get on their mailing list for sales.

• Install double racks for at least half of your closet to double your closet space.

• Buy a cardboard three-drawer dresser at a discount store and place it in your closet for pantyhose, lingerie and scarves.

• Put up a pegboard with hooks or a cup rack to hang belts, scarves, purses and other accessories.

• Use the back of the closet door for a hook to hang robes, a full- length mirror or a shoe rack.

• Store shoes and small purses in clear shoe boxes where you can see them.

• Buy big padded plastic hangers. Wire hangers don't give clothing the support it needs and leave creases on the shoulders.

• Use a clear hanging shoe bag for panty hose, jewelry, purses and belts.

• Keep a shoe box in the closet with scissors, safety pins, needles and thread, shoe laces, extra buttons, etc. for quick repairs. Put clothes that need repair in a specified area so you'll remember to take care of them quickly.

• Scented fabric hangers brighten up the closet and give clothes a nice aroma. Or try sprinkling your favorite body talc on the floor of your closet before you vacuum.

• Hang clothes by articles: blouses or shirts, jackets, pants, skirts and dresses. Then hang by color witin each group of articles. You'll find combinations you hadn't considered before.

• Try on everyting to make sure it still fits, and see what you can mix and match. Write down all the outfits that work and hang the list inside your closet.

• Make a list of clothing items you need to purchase to form complete outfits, and watch for these at sales.

• Save on dry-cleaning bills by hanging clothes outside of the closet for a few hours so they can air out before you put them away.