Organising a linen cupboard

GreyQueen

As recently as this very week, I have seen my mother (aged 76) break herself of the bedlinen ironing habit by following my practise of washing, air-drying and remaking the bed with the same set of bedsheets on the same day.


Easy-peasy.


I have occasionally been known to iron sheets which are going into seasonal retirement, such as the brushed cotton ones I use only in winter. Folded lengthwise into quarters and given a cursory iron on both sides. Not because of house-proudery but because the ironing compresses the folded sheet by a couple of cm and my airing cupboard space is so tight that 2 cm on a vertical stack is a worthwhile gain.


I probably do as much as 5-10 mins of ironing a week, which is why I have managed to own the same iron in great working order since 1987.:rotfl:

just_trying

Owain_Moneysaver wrote: »

But it feels so much nicer when freshly ironed, especially the pillowcases.

And it really does not take half an hour to wave an iron over a set of bedlinen.

You can really tell the difference. Line dryed in the tumble dryer for a quick finish back on the bed or cupboard good enough. Don't even think I'd be able to tell the difference between non ironed and ironed.

Mind you I don't sort any my washing it goes in one load and always seems fine. Really claty..

pattypan4

I have a diddy airing cupboard with 2 shelves too and I just stuffed things into it when I moved. I have woollen things in there, throws, welsh blankets and wool duvets and mattress covers so am aware of needing moth protection. I like the plastic box idea, need to measure the shelves and see what size I can get in, having wrapped everything in the vac bags which they are already in. I also like the all in a pillowcase idea. I have been procrastinating, must get going today, at least I will measure. I can see me using the labeller on plastic boxes

bouicca21

I can’t believe the simplicity of all in a pillow case has never occurred to me before!

grunnie

bouicca21 wrote: »

I can’t believe the simplicity of all in a pillow case has never occurred to me before!

Been doing it for years .It made my airing cupboard look like it was full of pillows. When my 3 sons were small it made sorting their bedding so easy they just went to the airing cupboard and pull out the set they wanted.

PasturesNew

Use coloured pegs and attach the correct colour peg for what size the duvet/sheet/set is.

For towels, I roll them, then you can see what size they are.

Or, it might just be easier to learn to "not care". So long as you know it's all in there somewhere

THIRZAH

I do like an ironed cotton pillowcase but don't usually iron polycotton sheets or duvet covers.


We have a couple of baskets that fit under the shelves in the airing cupboard. They're not very big but might be an idea if you don't want to keep moving stacking boxes. DH also made me an extra half-depth shelf right at the top of the airing cupboard. We keep things like beach towels up there in those collapsable plastic crates -with a label on the front of course.

pattypan4

bedding is now in pillowcases and anything wool in a protector bag is neatly labelled and stacked. Thanks op, I would have had one of those procrastinating days

Eenymeeny

Thanks for some good ideas. One little tip I use is to mark the already sewn-in labels of sheets as Single or Double with a laundry marker pen. Done when first purchased it doesn't fade and makes laundry sorting lots easier, especially if you use mostly white as I do.
(A large S or D is enough for quick identification)

-taff

I only have one duvet and pillowcases for the new bedding so it gets washed and put back on.
The double sized stuff, all washed and put into one pillowcase. No single stuff so not to worry about that...


Get someone competent to make pull out drawers for your cupboard, fold and place in pillows, stack upright like books but on long edge, segregate in drawers according to size..or add drawer dividers


Also, I've never ironed a bedsheet in my life, have no intention of starting, and have never felt the lack...Maybe one day when I'm feeling less thrifty I'll send them out to get done but otherwise, I'll stick to my sluttish ways