Closet Power Tools - Part 1

Picking up from the last post on my Snow Day closet cleanout – it took me about two and half hours to clean out, purge and reload the closet. Not very long, really! When I work with clients on image management, this part of the process can take much longer. The point is, you must do this regularly – optimally twice a year to keep your closet in top shape.

Now, are you ready to take your closet to the next level? OK! You need some closet gear. Here is Part 1 of must-haves for maintaining your clothes, and by extension, your personal image!

The Fabric Shaver. This little device removes unsightly fuzz and pilling from knit sweaters and other garments. The picture shows a $7.99 model from The Container Store, but I saw one at Walmart today for under $6.00. If the fabric weave is really tight, you can even try using a regular razor – I did this on some old ski wear that was pilling, and now it looks like new.

You Need Great Hangers. When I walk into most of my client’s closets, I see a hodge-podge of hangers in use. Wire hangers from the dry cleaners, cheap tubular hangers in various colors, and the hard plastic kind from the store. Not only do the closets look dumpy, but none of these hangers are good for your clothes. Knits that could stretch out are better off folded on shelves, but for most women’s tops and men’s shirts, I recommend semi-contoured wooden hangers. The semi-curved feature is important as it simulates the shoulder line of our body. Good wooden hangers have a smooth finish, have the width to better support the garment and frankly, they just look great hanging uniformly in your closet. For pants and skirts, clip from the waistband and hang lengthwise to allow wrinkles to fall out. Folding them over a wire hanger leaves a tell-tale crease at the fold. I like the rounded pant/skirt hanger shown here because there are no sharp







corners to snag fabric. Check out www.hangersdirect.com and look for their free shipping promo. They also sell extra-large hangers – if you are XL or larger, these will help you avoid unslightly “humps” in the shoulders from smaller hangers.
Finally, this picture shows the original “Huggable” brand of hangers that are perfect for thin strapped tops or other garments that slip off regular hangers. The flocked finish is available in other brands too – I’ve seen them at Walmart, Target, Container Store, etc. at a variety of price points.

The following pretty much sums up my feelings about wire hangers.

Hey! Check in for our next post on the single best investment you can make for garment care. Stay tuned!