Whether your closet looks like you were just visited by Marie Kondo or a Dothraki Horde, we could all do with a couple organization tips to keep our closet manageable and our clothes in optimal condition.

It’s okay, these organization tips will still be helpful long after the references above ;)

So read on! It’s time to clean up your closet and create a polished and personalized space that you can enjoy each time you get dressed.
 

Keep your daily essentials in the front row

You've heard the phrase "out of sight, out of mind"—while that usually applies to former flames, the same rule also works for closet organization.

Store your least-worn items at the back so you can dedicate prime closet real estate to your most beloved pieces. This will make getting dressed a lot more convenient, and you'll avoid the all-too-familiar situation of rummaging through the closet and ending up with a pile of discarded clothes on the floor or bed. 

Style tip: Organize your go-to accessories, like a classic watch or simple jewelry, on a small tray next to your closet. Having them visible will encourage you to wear them and give you a more complete and polished look.

Think like a pro: know when to fold 'em

It might seem basic, but improper storage can cause a garment to lose its shape. Make sure you properly note which items to fold and which items to hang.

Clothes you should fold:

Gently fold delicate items such as cashmere sweaters and heavy knits. For extra care you can add a layer of acid-free tissue between garments.

Denim should also be folded, as hanging can cause it to stretch out in the wrong areas. Casual items such as T-shirts and tops can work both ways, based on personal preference.

Clothes you should hang:

Keep your outerwear fresh by hanging them for storage. Your vintage leather jacket, silk blouse or suit would appreciate the extra TLC.

Invest in some flocked hangers with velvet lining to keep your choice garments in mint condition. As always, any cocktail attire is best stored in a garment bag.

Out of season items don’t need prime real estate

Before putting anything in the closet at the end of each season, make sure your clothes are prepped for storage.

Launder items as needed, or send your clothes to a trusted dry cleaner for professional service—especially important for winter coats. This removes any scents or stains, as moths are attracted to undetectable smells.

Don't forget to clean your closet at least once per season (it can get dusty). It's also a good idea to go through and remove any items you don't wear on a regular basis. Consider selling or donating the pieces that are in good condition—doing so will help keep your closet organized as well as help those in need.

The elements of style: invest in the right storage

The essentials: Storage bins are your best friend. Instead of unsightly plastic bins, consider linen storage organizers. Fabric organizers help your clothing stay fresh by allowing air to circulate. Try borrowing elements from Scandinavian decor, such as a set of wooden or copper hangers, to help your closet achieve a minimalist and uniformed aesthetic.

The extras: Personalizing your space does not always require an involved process. Switching out little things can make a huge difference, such as adding some decorative items or art in or around your wardrobe. You can also paint or wallpaper the inside of your closet to inject a little more color and personal style.

Fill some sachets with dried lavender buds and place them in your closet to keep your clothes smelling great and repel any moths that might be creeping around your wardrobe—it's a pleasantly scented alternative to using moth balls.

Cedar chests are also a smart choice for woolens, as Red Cedar has natural oils that kill moth larvae (it's a good idea to first put the clothing in a resealable plastic bag for more protection).

While closet maintenance might seem like a chore, keeping these tips in mind will help you streamline the process and stay organized. Just like a morning workout or healthy breakfast, a well organized closet and easy to access closet helps set the right tone for the day -- the great one that you deserve!

Photos: WorldWide / Shutterstock.com, Chelsea Francis, Milada Vigerova, Crew, Mary Whitney

Gone are the days when your yoga pants were just for yoga class, or running shorts were just for running -- nowadays, people wear their workout clothes just about everywhere. Activewear has evolved from being what you wear to build up a sweat to an every-day essential.

As more and more people are grabbing their yoga pants over their jeans on a daily basis, we wanted to find out the best ways to care for the activewear items that are quickly becoming staples in every closet. James Joun, Rinse’s co-founder, and resident expert, gave us some advice on how to keep activewear in great shape.

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“Your activewear stands up to your toughest workouts and all day use, so it can be easy to assume it doesn’t need any special attention when laundry day rolls around,” James stated. “But most athletic gear is made out of synthetic materials that don't mix well with the high heat of a dryer.”

James advised that the best thing you can do for your activewear is to hang dry them, both before and after washing.

Here are 5 reasons why James recommends hang drying your activewear:

Keep them in great shape

Since most activewear is made of moisture-wicking material that keeps you dry, it is likely to be damp after a workout or all day use, which can create an environment for mildew and mold. To avoid this, James advised hanging these items up to dry before placing them in your hamper.

Maintain their fit

The simplicity of wearing your activewear on a daily basis has a lot to do with the consistency of their fit. To ensure your activewear stays looking and fitting like new, you should keep your garments away from the dryer. The high heat of the dryer can warp individual strands of fiber of your activewear and permanently alter their shape, flexibility, and ultimately how they fit.

Avoid damage

Exposing your activewear to the heat and friction of the dryer can be harsh and potentially damaging. The heat wears away on any elastic properties that your garments may contain and weakens the material, which can lead to tears and holes. Hang drying is a great alternative to dry your activewear that avoids the unnecessary wear and tear of the dryer.

Get a better clean

If you’re using your activewear all day, every day, chances are your garments could always use another cleaning. If you can hang your activewear to dry in the sun, you can not only keep it in great shape since it avoids the heat and tumble of the machine dryer but also get a better clean. The sun’s UV rays contain bacteria-killing properties, which can give your activewear an additional cleaning process beyond the washer.

Save money & help the environment

If keeping your activewear in great shape isn’t enough to convince you to hang dry them, saving money and helping the environment may do the trick. Hang drying your activewear, and the rest of your clothes, can help you bring your electrical bill down and reduce the amount of energy you use -- that sounds like a great deal to us!

At Rinse, we provide a Hang Dry service, which is the best service to use to take care of your activewear. We optimize the cleaning process by washing your activewear in cold water and hang drying them in order to maintain their fit and integrity. To try our Hang Dry service schedule a Rinse by visiting rinse.com.

Extend the life of your clothes: know the difference between laundering and dry cleaning

When you have clothing that needs to look sharp, like a suit, dress, sweater, or dress shirt, chances are you take it to the dry cleaners. But many nice articles of clothing don’t actually need to be dry cleaned—often, having your clothing laundered and pressed is a better choice.

So, what is the difference?

The short answer - water.

Dry Cleaning: When your clothes are dry cleaned, non-water based solvents are used to remove stains, before they are crisply pressed. 

Launder & Press:  With laundered items, water and detergent are used. Your clothes are washed in a commercial-grade washing machine, emerge slightly damp, and then are individually pressed.

Why Launder & Press?

So what's the benefit of using Launder & Press?

• It's gentle on fabric: The chemicals used to dry clean your clothes can cause fabrics to deteriorate over time. Laundering, on the other hand, removes stains and everyday grime using water and gentler detergents.

• It's ideal for removing sweat, oils and dirt: Laundering is actually more effective than dry cleaning at removing sweat and oil from fabrics, so it is typically the best choice for dress shirts and cotton blouses. After clothes are laundered, they are pressed and hung for that crisp, fresh-from-the-cleaner look.

High-quality laundry services like Rinse read the care label on your clothing and make the call between chemical dry cleaning and laundering to maximize the life of your clothes. When you’re the one making the call, read the label: if it doesn’t say “Dry Clean Only,” ask for Launder & Press. Your clothes will thank you!

Why Dry Clean?

You may be thinking - Why on earth would anyone choose to dry clean when Launder & Press is just as effective (if not more in some cases) and gentler on fabrics? Well, the truth is, it really depends on the fabric and the piece. 

• It's ideal for clothing made of natural fibers, like silk or wool because water can have an adverse effect on the fabric. Water can cause the fibers in the fabric to become rigid and even cause the garment to shrink, fade, or lose its shape.

• It's often the only way to get out certain stains: When an item is dry cleaned, it also goes through the “pre-spotting” process where an experienced cleaner will examine each garment to locate stains and determine the source so that they can treat the stain with the appropriate non-aqueous solvent. It’s not uncommon for a pre-spotter to have decades of experience!

A helpful tip to extend the life of your clothes: If you know the source of any stain on your garment, let your dry cleaner know. Be it ketchup, wine, or a splash from a puddle, your dry cleaner will use that information to choose the right solvent and minimize the risk of damage.

There’s a reason both dry cleaning and launder & press are offered today—each serves a different, valuable purpose. Both are aptly named and both keep you looking sharp!

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Learn more about How Dry Cleaning Works from our COO James. He grew up in dry cleaning! 

Or, read Our Guide For Which Clothes You Should And Shouldn't Dry Clean.