bettercloset.com

Yesterday, we talked about the pieces that need to be in your wardrobe to make your clothes healthy. However, there may be other health dangers lurking in your closet. Many closets in fact contain a brew of toxic chemicals and known carcinogens. Check your clothes storage areas for these offenders:

• Traditional mothballs. The classic mothballs that give off that famous “mothball smell” are actually very toxic. They contain Napthalene, which is dangerous for you and any pets you own. If you use these, get rid of them at once and switch to natural alternatives. Wash and air out any clothes that have come into contact with the mothballs and air out your closet very thoroughly before you move your clothes back in.
• Cleaning chemicals. If you use a traditional dry cleaner, you are bringing toxic chemicals into your home. Look for a dry cleaner who uses wet cleaning or liquid carbon dioxide methods. At the very least, when you do visit your dry cleaner to pick up items, remove the plastic wrap and air the items outside or in a well-ventilated area of your home (not the bedroom) for a few days before placing the item back in your closet. Also, read the labels of any detergent, fabric softener or air freshener you use on your clothes or in your closet. Switch to gentler brands or “green” brands.
• Dust. Clean out your closet regularly and remove any carpeting on the floor of your closet to make it easier to clean.
• Mold. Black mold can grow unnoticed behind all your clothes, and it can hurt your lungs and ruin your clothes. Periodically clean out your closet to ensure that you don’t have a mold problem. If you do, find a new place to store your clothes.
• Waterproofing materials. Water- and stain- proofed are treated with chemicals and these chemicals become trapped and concentrated in your closet. Get any waterproof and stain proof items out of your bedroom closet and preferably to a well-ventilated location.
• Pesticides. Never place shoes worn outdoors in your closet. Always remove your shoes at the door and keep them there. As you wander outside, you pick up dirt, pesticides and other potentially harmful stuff on your shoes. If you have carpeting, those chemicals can stay in your home for years if you wear your outdoor shoes inside.
• Shoe polish. Any shoes that have been tidied with shoe polish should be kept out of your closet and in a ventilated area. Even natural shoe polishes contain harmful ingredients.

If your closet is jammed with clothes, disorganized, or if you just haven’t given it a good cleaning in a while, it’s time get tidying. You can’t find your clothes and make the most of your wardrobe if your clothes are a jumble in your closet. Tidying up is pretty simple:

1) Measure your closet and head out to buy supplies. If you have the standard bar-across-the-top type of closet, buy one of those organizer kits that divides your closet into tops, bottoms, and dresses and coats. This will free up a lot more space. Buy a shoe rack, clothes hangers, garment bags, boxes for out-of-season clothes, an over-the-door rack for accessories, and anything else you need.

2) Remove everything from your closet. There’s no turning back now.

3) Give your closet a good scrub. If you have carpet in your closet, clean that thoroughly. Add some sachets, balls of cedar wood (to keep moths away) or any other scented products you like.

4) Install your closet organizer.

5) Start sorting your clothes. Decide quickly about each item of clothing: Does it fit? Do you wear it? Do you love it? Create several piles of clothes – items that are out of season, items that are rarely worn, items that you want to give away, and items that need cleaning or tailoring. Organize everything else carefully in your closet. Then, tackle the piles. Take the clothes you no longer want to charity and drop off clothes for cleaning and alternations. Clothes that are out of season should be carefully washed and stored away. Clothes that are rarely worn (such as formal dresses) should also be stored, kept in your coat closet, or stored in the back of your closet. You don’t want to have to pass over yout formal wear every time you get dressed for work.

Nothing represents the coming of warm weather quite like those racks of bright, fluttery summer dresses that every store starts putting out in the Spring. Summer dresses are adorable, fun, simple to wear and often inexpensive. Now that the fall weather is here, though, they are just taking up so much room in your closet. It’s time to get your closet in tune for the cooler months, and that means sorting and storing.

Start by going through your closet. Sure, you don’t have tons of time, but you’ll waste even more time if you have to wade through summer clothes each morning to get to your woolens. Set aside an afternoon to sort out all your clothing. Remove any summer dresses and summery items you haven’t worn all summer. If you don’t love these items any more or if they don’t fit, donate them to charity. If they need repairs, take them to the tailor. Have sentimental favorites professionally cleaned and stored so that they do not take up closet space.

Next, get your summery clothes – the ones that you actually do wear — cleaned. After months of sun block and sand, your clothes do need some care. Any summer dresses and summery clothes that are largely pale colors or pastels should be put away now. If you have darker summer dresses and halters, consider adding a cardigan or tights to transform these pieces into autumn wear. It’s a nice way to expand your summer wardrobe further into the year. 

Nothing represents the coming of warm weather quite like those racks of bright, fluttery summer dresses that every store starts putting out in the Spring. Summer dresses are adorable, fun, simple to wear and often inexpensive. Now that the fall weather is here, though, they are just taking up so much room in your closet. It’s time to get your closet in tune for the cooler months, and that means sorting and storing.

Start by going through your closet. Sure, you don’t have tons of time, but you’ll waste even more time if you have to wade through summer clothes each morning to get to your woolens. Set aside an afternoon to sort out all your clothing. Remove any summer dresses and summery items you haven’t worn all summer. If you don’t love these items any more or if they don’t fit, donate them to charity. If they need repairs, take them to the tailor. Have sentimental favorites professionally cleaned and stored so that they do not take up closet space.

Next, get your summery clothes – the ones that you actually do wear cleaned. After months of sun block and sand, your clothes do need some care. Any summer dresses and summery clothes that are largely pale colors or pastels should be put away now. If you have darker summer dresses and halters, consider adding a cardigan or tights to transform these pieces into autumn wear. It’s a nice way to expand your summer wardrobe further into the year. <-->