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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Why is there no solution to the 'used-once-but-not-dirty' clothes pile?

320 replies

Hicc · 21/07/2026 17:59

We all have this, don't we? A pile of clothes on a chair in the bedroom that aren't dirty enough to wash but not clean enough to go back in the wardrobe.

Mine sit on a chair looking untidy.

Try as I might, I can't find a solution. Blanket ladders aren't sturdy enough to put up with daily use, chairs take up a lot of space, hooks don't work for two people's worth of clothes.

AIBU for being frustrated there is not a magical solution to this? Or is there one that is being gate-kept by the eternally tidy and house proud crew?

OP posts:
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Muststopeating · 21/07/2026 18:28

I have given all my kids a "next day drawer".. so clean enough clothes go in a wire basket drawer at the bottom of their pax wardrobes.

Please don't ask me why this is better than hanging them up, but in my head it is. (Had to be a wire drawer though, though that has the added benefit of being the only drawer that will fit at the bottom of a pax wardrobe).

Edited to add that the chairdrobe in my bedroom where we don't have new wardrobes yet is bloody ridiculous!

TheCompactPussycat · 21/07/2026 18:27

Hang them back in the wardrobe (inside out and separately so I know they've been worn already).

ThisOneLife · 21/07/2026 18:27

What do you think is going to happen if you put them back in the wardrobe?!!

BreadInCaptivity · 21/07/2026 18:27

Believe it or not someone has actually invented a “laundry chair” that has generated $1.2m of investment funding 😃.

You will need to have deep pockets if you want to be an early investor though as the prototype models sell for $1k 🤣.

That said if it takes off I’m sure it will be seen in an IKEA near you in the future 😃.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/simonegiertz/laundry-chair-the-bedroom-chair-you-have-always-wanted

EmptyInTheValley · 21/07/2026 18:27

I hang / put mine back inside out.

Middlemarch123 · 21/07/2026 18:25

I hang mine outside on the linen line, spraying with Fabreze clothes freshener, leave a couple of hours then back in wardrobe.

Lilyhatesjaz · 21/07/2026 18:25

I thought that part worn clothes in the wardrobe attract moths, I may have got this wrong. I have a very full chair.

dudsville · 21/07/2026 18:24

TotallyTangerineGeum · 21/07/2026 18:12

I must be the only person who washes every item of clothing after each wear. Especially at this time of year!

Well yes, but these aren't going to be clothes that can be worn again are they. I'm thinking more about autumn, spring and winter when sweat is minimal to non existent so clothes can be worn more than once.

Fleurdalys · 21/07/2026 18:24

They are either clean or dirty for Christ sake.

Hiton · 21/07/2026 18:22

I’m surprised at the amount of people who re wear clothes! I thought everyone on here washed everything even if they only wear it for 30 seconds! On these threads everyone washes everything after one use normally! Clothes including jeans and jumpers, towels, PJs, bed covers…. (Ok maybe not quite daily for bed covers but I’ve seen some people on here wash them 3 times a week!)

Allseeingallknowing · 21/07/2026 18:22

Canonlythinkofthisone · 21/07/2026 18:19

Surely if its clean enough to wear again...it's clean enough to go back in the wardrobe....

I suppose they might be a bit sweaty, grubby but it’s not visible , so probably best to leave them where the air can get at them

dudsville · 21/07/2026 18:21

I also put them back in the wardrobe.

Sahara123 · 21/07/2026 18:20

Another one who just puts them back in the wardrobe or drawer here. Can’t see the problem 🤷‍♀️

HoppityBun · 21/07/2026 18:20

Canonlythinkofthisone · 21/07/2026 18:19

Surely if its clean enough to wear again...it's clean enough to go back in the wardrobe....

No. Some of us just can’t do that

Canonlythinkofthisone · 21/07/2026 18:19

Surely if its clean enough to wear again...it's clean enough to go back in the wardrobe....

Allseeingallknowing · 21/07/2026 18:17

Happycow · 21/07/2026 18:16

I hang them on the back of the door (on a hanger) or by the window for a couple of hours to air, then put them at one end of the wardrobe awaiting the next wear.

I would if I had the space!

Allseeingallknowing · 21/07/2026 18:16

TotallyTangerineGeum · 21/07/2026 18:12

I must be the only person who washes every item of clothing after each wear. Especially at this time of year!

I hope you are the only person- sounds like a water and energy wasting obsession to me !

PhilosophicalCheeseSandwich · 21/07/2026 18:16

TotallyTangerineGeum · 21/07/2026 18:12

I must be the only person who washes every item of clothing after each wear. Especially at this time of year!

You're not, but surely you could rewear things like skirts, shorts and trousers. You must really enjoy doing laundry.

Happycow · 21/07/2026 18:16

I hang them on the back of the door (on a hanger) or by the window for a couple of hours to air, then put them at one end of the wardrobe awaiting the next wear.

Allseeingallknowing · 21/07/2026 18:15

OP- you have the perfect solution. Mine sit in an untidy pile too!

ponyprincess · 21/07/2026 18:14

TotallyTangerineGeum · 21/07/2026 18:12

I must be the only person who washes every item of clothing after each wear. Especially at this time of year!

Agree this time of year most need to wash- but do you change your bed sheets every day etc? There is a middle ground?

Slightyamusedandsilly · 21/07/2026 18:14

Most of my clothes aren't in the wardrobe. So while I'd hang up a dress that had been worn once, I don't want to put a pair of jeans back in the drawer.

Door hangers are good idea, and I do already use them. But clothes hanging on the door look so messy.

WaltzingWaters · 21/07/2026 18:13

I have a draw in my wardrobe that is just for “half clean” clothes.

OneBusyFinch · 21/07/2026 18:12

comeondover · 21/07/2026 18:02

Have you come across valet stands? They fit the bill

Yes - valet stands are what you need OP

ObelixtheGaul · 21/07/2026 18:12

PhilosophicalCheeseSandwich · 21/07/2026 18:05

We have these on either end of the wardrobe amzn.eu/d/02iWhx5g

Oooh, that's a good idea.