Folding Your Laundry is Optional
Strategies for Organizing Clothes and Linens Without Folding Them
You might be surprised to hear this, but I have a relaxed approach to folding. Frankly, if you don’t want to fold your laundry, then don’t. You’ve heard it here from a professional organizer, so let go of the pressure for perfection.
There are strategies you can use to keep your clothes and linens organized and sometimes even wrinkle-free beyond just folding, or even hanging them on hangers. So I say use the process that works for you, your organizing style (visible or hidden, detailed or general categories), and your busy schedule.
You can also employ a mixed approach like I do, which is I only fold or hang clothes people will see on me. I don’t worry about my lounge wear, undergarments, or socks. But I only hang and fold my out in the world clothes because I care about wrinkles (not enough to iron them though, lol). Also, certain clothing, like jeans, doesn’t store easily in a drawer unless it is folded.
But if you don’t hang or fold your laundry, how do you keep things organized you ask? Here are some organizing strategies if you’re looking for a fast and easy approach and to avoid folding.
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10 Strategies for Organizing Clothes Without Folding
The key to keeping clothes organized is to have them sorted by type of clothing and items in each category as visible as possible so you can find what you need. Here are some strategies you can use if you don’t want to fold.
I use drawer clothes organizer bins, which come in different sizes and you can organize in your drawers or on shelves. You can just throw a category of clothes in them. If you use a size bigger than you need, you can more easily sift through what you have to find what you’re looking for.
Alternatively, get smaller bins or bins with cubbies (or a grid) to place one item in each spot so you can find things easily. Just search for what you are organizing, and there likely will be an organizer bin with cubbies for it (ex. pant organizers). It’s more work to put things away, but you will find things quicker.
Instead of bins, you can use adjustable drawer dividers. I prefer the bins though because you can move them around as your needs change, particularly from season to season, and put them on shelves. Dividers, however, can be more customizable for the space you need for each category.
Don’t have enough drawer space or you prefer things to be visible? You can use over-the-door storage bins on your closet door.
My favorite organizing product is an over-the-door pocket shoe organizer that can also be used for clothes and accessories and everything else under the sun. I use one for my outdoor hats and accessories and smaller shoes in my entryway closet. You can hang one on your closet door or even on your wall and put small clothes like scarves, hats, workout shorts, underwear, and socks.
If you want really general categories in larger bins where you just throw things in, that’s okay too. These are ideal for the kiddos too. If you keep either your tops or bottoms neutral (and socks), whatever you pull out will work. A great solution for this approach is the cube shelf with bins.
If folding is the thing that holds you up and not hangers, you can hang everything in your closet. Use an adjustable closet hanging rod to double your hanging space. Matching hangers are great for eliminating the visual noise. Costco is the cheapest place to get the slim, velvet kind, but can buy Amazon Basics slim velvet hangers if you don’t have a Costco membership.
Another hanging alternative are hooks (for your closet rod or the wall), which are quicker to use. This option is not ideal for tops, which would create a stretched hook mark, but you could hang pants or shorts from the belt loop or a jacket from the tag.
If what trips you up with folding is getting it just so, an alternative to folding is rolling. Just fold the item once or twice then roll it. You can keep them from unrolling in bins.
Even easier than rolling is the seriously messy fold or even clumping it up. Either of these strategies allow you to place items next to each other, much like file-folded clothes. This way they don’t pile on one another and you can see everything, but without the time and effort of file folding.
6 Ways to Organize Bedding and Linens Without Folding
As with clothing, the key to keeping linens organized is to have them sorted by type with clear labels so you can find what you’re looking for. Here are some strategies that work without folding, that is if you don’t mind your sheets or towels a little wrinkly, which I don’t.
I prefer to throw sheet sets in one of the pillow cases. If you do this, organize each type (either by size or specific bed) in a bin or use a shelf divider to hold the category in place. Be sure to label the bin or shelf.
You can get bins and place each item type together in the bin, such as all the twin fitted sheets. Alternatively, you can use a bin for each sheet set and just throw them in.
For blankets, you can toss them in a large basket or bin in your bedroom or living room, whichever they are for.
If you prefer things hidden, blankets work well in a storage ottoman bench or cube, which is what I use.
If you don’t mind hanging, towels can be hung on tiered pant hangers without even folding them. You can also hang your sheet sets or blankets on hangers in the closet. You’ll need to messy fold them a little first, and blankets will need heavy duty hangers.
If perfection is what you’re avoiding, just use a messy fold and shelf dividers, bins, or drawer dividers to keep the categories separated.
