Be honest—when’s the last time you opened your linen closet and knew exactly what was in there? For many of us, that little closet is where towels, sheets, and random “just in case” bedding go to hide. Before you know it, you’ve got a jumble of mismatched pillowcases, threadbare towels, and more sheet sets than you even own beds. Let’s shine a light in there and figure out what you actually need—and what can move along.
How many towels do you really need?
It’s tempting to hang on to stacks of towels, but the truth is, most households do just fine with two bath towel sets per person. One set is in use, and the other is clean and ready. Hand towels and washcloths can multiply quickly, so keep a few extras on hand, but not enough to drown your shelves.
Ask yourself:
- How often do you run laundry? (The more often, the fewer backups you need.)
- How often do you have overnight guests? (That’s your guide for how many guest sets to keep.)
Anything beyond that is probably just taking up space.
How many sheet sets are enough?
Sheets are another sneaky culprit. You really only need two sets per bed—one on the mattress, one in the wash. If you’ve got young kids or pets, a third “emergency” set can be helpful. Otherwise, that stack of extra sheets is just lurking in the closet, waiting for a reason to be there.
What to do with the extras?
If you’ve uncovered a pile of lonely pillowcases or a mountain of towels past their prime, don’t worry—they don’t have to go to waste.
- Donate: Animal shelters are always grateful for old towels and sheets. Thrift shops will take gently used sets.
- Repurpose: Cut worn towels into cleaning rags, or save an old sheet set for painting or messy projects.
- Guest Basket: Even if a set doesn’t match, it can still be folded neatly into a labeled bin for surprise overnight guests.
Give your closet a fresh start
Once you’ve pared down, store things in simple categories: towels on one shelf, sheets in bins labeled by bed size, and bulky blankets folded neatly on the bottom. Suddenly, your linen closet feels spacious, calm, and useful—no lurking required.
A little decluttering turns your linen closet from a hiding spot into a happy, organized space.
Need a hand? Reach out—we’d love to help.
Work hard and be kind!
Love,
Your friends at Cut the Clutter RVA