I just put a load of towels in the dryer. This year, I’m trying to be better about getting at least one load of laundry completely done each day. Look, I’m not Suzy Homemaker and if I’m not careful, I’m surrounded by Mt. St. Dirty Clothes in no time. So one load a day. That’s the goal.
Today’s challenge focuses on a regular rotation in the laundry cycle – linens. But how can you clean out towels and sheets and keep the closet under control? These ideas should help. Keep reading for where I like to purchase items and what’s helped for me.
Just as a reminder, each of the Financial Decluttering assignments should only take 10-15 minutes and you’ve only missed assignments to Clean Out Your Wallet, Clean Out Your Refrigerator Door, Clean Out Your Car Console, Clean Out Your Sock Drawer, Organize Your Coupons, Clean Out Kids’ Backpacks, Clean Out Your Purse or Bag, Clean Out ONE Pantry Shelf, Clean Off Your Desk. Then check out Clean Up Your Phone’s Apps, Clean Out Your Inbox, Clean Out the Junk Drawer, Declutter Your Shoes, Clean Out Your Freezer, Count Your Change, Clean Out ONE Clothes Closet, and Clean Your Cleaners.
Just a reminder, don’t forget to join the Financial Decluttering Facebook Group of over 1400 people for ideas and encouragement. You’ll love the photos of the clean wallets, clean refrigerator doors, car consoles, coupon binders, backpacks, purses, desks, shoes, inboxes, and more!
Now, on to the challenge!
Day 18: Clean Out Your Linen Closet
Towels, sheets, blankets, extra pillows – most of them comes to rest in one closet in your house. When we were paying off $127k in debt, we held on to our towels until they were in tatters. I remember one of the very first purchases we made (with cash of course) were a few new towels to replace our old ones. You better believe that I ripped one of the old ones apart like I was a professional wrestler.
A few years ago, I began purchasing only white towels, kitchen flour towels, and sheets. I did this for a couple of reasons. 1) It became much easier to do laundry because there was a load of whites every day. 2) Having white linens made me feel like I was at a hotel. Ha! 3) There’s something restful for me about white sheets and white towels and a white comforter. I’m can’t really explain it, but it works for me.
Why It Matters:
We touch our towels almost every day. They serve our needs. And yet, even though they’re indispensable we often neglect caring for them. Hold your hats, I’m about to tell you to spend money. You may need to invest in new ones. But before you run out and load up your cart (online or in the store), you need to organize what you do have.
Sometimes we don’t really need new things. Often, lurking in the back of your closet are a host of items that’ve been lost to you. Yes, you may need to replace a few items. But you won’t know until you have a better handle on what you actually have.
By the way, if you need do need to purchase new towels or sheets, I’m a big fan of the hotel grade items at Sam’s Club. They’re not as cheap as the towels you could purchase at Target or Walmart (especially if it’s Black Friday); however, the quality means they may last a little longer. At least that’s been the case for me.
How to Do It:
- Clean the shelves. Don’t toss items on the floor though! You already washed them.
- Eliminate towels that have holes or are falling apart.
- Consider “demoting” those items to cleaning items.
- Find out if your local animal shelter takes donations of old towels or sheets.
- Recycle old sheets and towels using these ideas.
- Take inventory of what you already have.
- Build a “wish list” of new linens. When you are able to purchase said items with cash, look for a good deal. Sam’s Club or Costco are great options. However, the coupons at JC Penney and/or Kohl’s make often make linens a bargain. In fact, if I’m short of earning Kohl’s Cash by a few dollars, I almost always add a towel to my cart. We always need them and I don’t end up purchasing something random I won’t use.
- When you’re finished, take a photo and post it to the challenge post in the Financial Decluttering Group. We’ll celebrate your victory. And/or post on Instagram with the #FinancialDecluttering Hashtag.
- You’ll get bonus points and virtual fist bumps for interesting discoveries.
How to Keep It That Way:
This is a tricky one – especially if more than one person folds the linens in your house. When it comes to your linen closet, clean is better than perfectly neat. Take it from me, it’s smarter to let go of notions of perfection and gain help from the people who live in your house. As long as you keep an eye on what you have, you’re good.
All of the towels don’t have to point the same direction or even be folded the same way. Life will still go on. Or if it gives you peace to have things just so, you can’t complain when someone doesn’t do it your way. Either you do all the work and be cool with it or you accept help and be cool with it.
A Few More Thoughts:
I can’t wait to see all we achieve together this month. I’ll continue sharing my own journey in the Financial Decluttering Facebook Group and via e-mails. Be sure you subscribe for both.
Post a photo of your linen closet victories and tips in the comments! I want to see what sorts of systems you use to organize.
Our new book Your Money, Your Marriage is now available! Be sure to check out videos on managing money together on Facebook.
My book is now available: Slaying the Debt Dragon: How One Family Conquered Their Money Monster and Found an Inspired Happily Ever After. You can also check out The Debt Free Devotional
This post contains an affiliate link. That means when you get a great deal, learn about a way to save, or maybe even something for free, I may end up making a small commission. All prices are subject to change.
[…] Out Your Freezer, Count Your Change, Clean Out ONE Clothes Closet, Clean Your Cleaners, and Clean Out Your Linen Closet. From there, head to Clean Out Old Bills, Clean Out Jewelry, Organize One Garage Shelf, Clean […]