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Writer's pictureStephen Patrick

Hanging vs. Folding Clothes: Are You Making a Big Mistake?

Let's be honest: putting away laundry isn't always the most exciting task. But fear not; our guide is here to save the day! We will show you how to make folding or hanging clothes easier, smarter, and more enjoyable.


Did you know that how you store your clothes can actually extend their lifespan? Hanging your clothing keeps it wrinkle-free and preserves all the delicate details, while folded clothing saves space and prevents stretching. Considering factors like fabric type and closet space, we'll walk you through the best storage methods to keep your wardrobe looking fresh for years to come!


Hang These Items


Hanging your clothes

Hanging your clothes can do wonders for maintaining their shape, especially for structured pieces like jackets, suits, skirts, and dresses. It's also perfect for delicate fabrics like silk, chiffon, and linen, which wrinkles easily when folded. 


Enter Roomedys® Spacing Tape for Hangers (RST): an innovative tool that not only ensures even spacing for your hangers, creating a uniform and accessible layout for your clothes, but also offers functional benefits beyond aesthetics. RST allows you to navigate between your clothes easily, moving them left to right and all around without anything shifting out of place. This functionality makes it effortless to pick out and examine your clothes while maintaining their arrangement. With RST, your closet looks picture-perfect and provides practical convenience for your everyday needs if you like to hang clothing items.


So, whether it's evening wear, blouses, formal trousers, or your favorite tux, hanging is the way to keep them looking their best.


1. Flowy Fabrics


Flowy fabrics like silk, chiffon, and nylon tend to crease when folded, affecting their appearance and quality. It's best to hang clothing made from these materials, such as dresses or blouses, to maintain their flowy nature. Think about how the fabric moves - if it floats or dances in a breeze, it's happier hung up than folded in a drawer. Linen, known for its tendency to wrinkle, is best stored by hanging in your closet. This helps prevent unnecessary creases, as linen often requires ironing to maintain its best appearance. Therefore, it's recommended to hang any linen clothes on a hanger for a neat and wrinkle-free look.


2. Trousers & Skirts


Use skirt hangers or tiered pants hangers to keep your trousers and skirts neat and accessible. For convenience, consider hanging two-piece workwear sets together. Your jeans can be folded or hung depending on your preference. However, dressier slacks should always be hung to maintain shape and prevent wrinkles. Consider hanging your jeans on an S-hook instead of a hanger for a bit of fun.  


3. Blouses & Shirts 


Is it better to hang or fold shirts? To keep your blouses and shirts looking fresh and wrinkle-free, it's best to hang them up properly. Whether it's a button-down or a dressy blouse, hanging them preserves their shape and prevents creases. Always button up the top buttons to maintain the collars of your shirts, especially formals. Ladies, please remember to insert the hanger through the bottom of buttonless blouses for added support and to prevent stretching. 


4. Jackets 


Proper storage is key to maintaining jackets' shape and durability. Whether they're leather, wool, or synthetic, opt for padded hangers to prevent dents and creases. Avoid storing jackets in plastic or cardboard, as these materials can cause yellowing and attract pests. Because of their large size, jackets are best hung to prevent wrinkles and save space in your dresser. So, hang such clothing for optimal care, whether it's a blazer, suit jacket, or outerwear.  And if you can separate jackets and outerwear to a dedicated closet or rack bonus points.  


5. Dresses 


When organizing your closet, consider hanging most of your dresses to keep them in good shape. However, heavy sweater dresses or similar bulky items are best folded to prevent stretching.


Fold These Items


Folding your clothes

When wondering what to hang and what to fold, it's better to fold thicker fabrics like knitwear neatly in drawers or store them in cotton bags during off-seasons. Hanging these items can stretch or damage the fabric and alter their fit over time. Use the shelves in your closet to neatly fold your clothes. Remember, closet shelves are meant for clothing, not for storing shoes or other items. By folding them, you protect the fabric and save space in your drawers. And think about it: folding some clothes that you may usually hang leaves more space on your closet rod, which is always good!  


 Let's explore which clothing items are ideal for folding. 


1. Sweaters & Knits


When storing your cozy woolen and cashmere, it's best to fold them to maintain their shape and save closet space. Chunky sweaters, in particular, should be folded to avoid misshaping. While there are folding techniques to hang them, it's often easier and more space-efficient to fold them neatly using the functional folding hacks that work the best for you.


2. Activewear


When it comes to activewear, folding is better than hanging. Most activewear is made from synthetic fabrics, which can become misshapen if hung up. So, to keep your activewear in top condition, it's best to fold them neatly instead.


3. Jeans & Shorts


When it comes to jeans, denim is super easy to fold because it keeps its shape. Keep them smelling fresh between washes with a fabric spray for a crisp scent! As for shorts, folding is the way to go. Hanging them doesn't make sense, so fold them and store them in your closet for easy access.


4. Lingerie & Hosiery


Store your lingerie and hosiery in top condition in drawers or Canvas Storage Bags with scented fabric pouches to maintain freshness.


Items you can either hang or fold


Clothes You Can Hand Or Fold

Certain clothing items offer flexibility in how they are stored, allowing you to choose between hanging clothes vs folding based on available space and personal preference. When deciding whether to fold or hang clothes, the following garments allow for both options:


1. T-Shirts 


When it comes to T-shirts, you have options! They can be hung, folded, or neatly stacked. Hanging them reduces wrinkles, but thanks to stretchy fibers like Lycra, folding works well too. If you choose to hang them, opt for wider hangers to prevent distortion.


2. Jeans


Jeans are super versatile and can be folded or hung depending on your preference. Since jeans are usually thicker, they hold their shape well when folded. But folding them over the hanger works best if you prefer hanging them. Hook-shaped hangers also provide a smart solution, letting each pair hang on its hook.


3. Scarves


Got a stash of scarves? Whether they're big shawls or small neck wraps, there are different ways to store them. Larger scarves are best folded to keep them neat, while smaller ones can be folded and tucked into drawers or hung on scarf hangers for easy access.


Conclusion


Incorporate these tips into your closet organization routine to keep your wardrobe looking its best. Remember, the biggest complaint we hear is that they don’t have enough room in their closet to hang their clothing. So when deciding whether to fold or hang clothes, folding can be the best option. Consider the fabric and type of garment to make the best choice. Flowy fabrics and delicate items like blouses or trousers should be hung to prevent wrinkles, while thicker sweaters are better off folded to maintain their shape. These strategies will help optimize your space and preserve your clothes, ensuring they stay in top condition for longer. Start organizing today for a tidier, more accessible closet that reflects your style!


More From Stephen Patrick


 

Author: Stephen Patrick

Author: Stephen Patrick

Stephen is the Founder and CEO of the Roomedys® brand. Stephen’s inaugural, multi-patented invention, Roomedys® Spacing Tape for Hangers (RST), is poised to transform the world of closet organization. Having spent 25 years in the hospitality industry, Stephen is an expert in functional organization. His mantra, “Everything has a place; everything stays in place,” is the key to achieving a realistic & maintainable routine that provides a feeling of balance and well-being.


 


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