Organizing a closet can be quite the task. Knowing where to start, what techniques work, and what to do to make your organization last is important. Knowing what to do can save you time, space, and even money in the long-run. Using tips from professional closet organizers is a great way to make sure that you’re getting the job done right. They have certain things that they fall back on again and again. You can use the same techniques that they do to get your closet organized like a professional. We’ve compiled some of the basics that we feel are the most helpful at correcting problems that most people face when it comes to getting and keeping their closets organized. Use these tips and you’ll be organizing like a pro in no time.

1) Professional closet organizers always push people to get rid of as much stuff as possible. Most adults keep clothes an average of ten years after they are done wearing them! Just imagine how cluttered your closet can be if you’re keeping things for decades after you no longer use them. People have a hard time getting rid of clothing that has sentimental value. They also have a hard time giving up things that they paid a lot for, items that are good “wardrobe staples”, and items that are simply still usable. Get rid of what you can and turn the hangers around backwards on the bar for what’s left. As you wear things throughout the year, hang them back up correctly. At the end of the year, if something is still hanging backwards, get rid of it without a second thought.

2) Pros also like to divide clothing so that it’s easy to see what goes where. Casual clothes should be separate from work clothes, dress clothes, and workout clothes. Sectioning off your closet by dividing it with shelves or extra hanging bars is a great way to keep things visually separate. After that, you will need to hang shirts together, skirts, pants, suits, coats, etc. until everything has its own place in the closet. You can make room below your hanging clothes by lining things up by length. You may be surprised how much space you can make below your shorter shirts if you hang them together on the bar.

3) Finally, professionals always use matching clothes hangers. Coats should always go on coat hangers or sturdy wood hangers. Skirts and pants can be cascaded on specialty hangers and outfits can be coordinated on cascading or coordinate hangers. Using the right clothes hangers can not only save you space, but can help your clothing to stay organized, wrinkle free, and ready for use.

About the Author: Charlie Hafter is on the staff of Closet Hanger Factory, a leading online resource for clothes hangers. Get all of the closet and clothes hanger accessories you could need at http://www.closethangerfactory.com, which is recognized worldwide for their excellent quality hangers.

The winter season is now in full swing and we’re starting to use all of those heavy winter coats and suits. Did your coats come out of storage smelling like a musty old closet? You’re not alone. Many people complain about the odor that seems to cling to things that have been stored for any length of time. This smell is actually mold and mildew growing in your clothing, so you have a right to be disgusted by the smell. It not only smells bad, but can cause allergic reactions in many people. Properly caring for and storing your coats and suits year round can help you to prolong the life of your expensive wardrobe and protect yourself from allergies and annoying musty odors.

1) When using your coats this winter, let them dry completely before putting them back into the closet. You don’t want to introduce moisture into the coat closet or your bedroom closet. If your coat or suit jacket is damp from rain, snow, or even mist, hang it outside of the closet in a dry environment for twenty four hours before placing it back into the closet with the other clothes. You can buy an inexpensive hanging rack for coats, shoes, hats, gloves, mittens and more. These hanging rods are like the ones that you might see in an office or doctor’s office. Give yourself a place to easily hang your wet items so that you aren’t tempted to hang them back in the closet or toss them over a chair.

2) Stock your hanging area with the things that you’ll need to dry out your winter wear. A shoe rack can help to hold shoes open so that air can circulate inside. Hangers with clips are great for clipping up gloves, hats and mittens. Scarf hangers are useful for keeping your scarves organized and letting them air out after use. Coat hangers that are curved will keep air between the front and the back of your coats and suits. You don’t want hangers with a flat design because they don’t let enough air into the garment to let it completely dry. Place your hanging area near a heater vent if possible so that the heat and moving air can help things dry before they have a chance to mold or mildew.

3) When you store coats and suits back in the closet, make sure that you are using the right clothes hangers. Hangers, like wood hangers or specially designed coat hangers, will be curved across the top and also across the body. The curvature should support the shoulders without puckering out the arms or letting the collar and lapels drop. The body curve should slightly round out the back of the coat or suit so that it doesn’t cause the coat to lose its shape. The clothes hanger that you choose could be a very important factor in extending the life of your wardrobe. Choosing cedar hangers will help you to avoid moisture, odors and pests in your closet. Keep your clothing fresh and in shape by following these rules this winter.

About the Author: Charlie Hafter is on the staff of Closet Hanger Factory, a leading online resource for clothes hangers. Get all of the closet and clothes hanger accessories you could need at http://www.closethangerfactory.com, which is recognized worldwide for their excellent quality hangers.

You’ve invested a lot in your wardrobe and it pays to protect it. Your clothes can lose their shape over time if you are not storing them properly. Give your clothing the care that it needs to extend the life of the garments that you’ve spent your hard earned money on. Using these tips, you can make your clothes last until they are out of style. Then, if you want to sell them, they’ll be in great shape and bring you top dollar that you can reinvest in your new clothes.

1) Sweaters almost always are the first to go. Hanging them on regular hangers can cause them to stretch under their own weight. Shoulders can get puckered and stitching can start to deform. It can be tough to get your sweater back into shape after it has been disfigured. If you have a sweater with puckered shoulders or exposed stitching, you may be able to get it back into shape by using steam. Check tags for how you should care for each garment. Then, store your sweaters folded flat on a shelf. You can also use an inexpensive hanging organizer. These usually come in canvas and Velcro to the hanging bar. Your sweaters will stack neatly inside and take up less room than if you hung them individually.

2) Pants can also get damaged by hanging them on conventional hangers. Use specialty pants hangers that are designed not to crease pants. Some clips can rust, snag, or crimp your pants and leave permanent damage. Look for hangers with a locking or padded pants bar, or clips that have pads in them to protect your slacks and pants from damage.

3) Conventional wire hangers can bend under the weight of your clothing and that metal twist can snag the fabric. Using higher quality clothes hangers can solve a lot of problems. Not only do they keep their shape, protecting your clothes from slipping off or sagging at the shoulders, but they should also be smooth and conform to the shape of your garments. Look for coat hangers that match the size and shape of your coats. Wood hangers are generally designed to fit coats and suits, supporting molded shoulders and the heavy weight that they present. Your clothes hangers have a heavy bearing on how long your clothes will last. Choose the right ones, and your wardrobe will be protected from now on.

About the Author: Charlie Hafter is on the staff of Closet Hanger Factory, a leading online resource for clothes hangers. Get all of the closet and clothes hanger accessories you could need at http://www.closethangerfactory.com, which is recognized worldwide for their excellent quality hangers.