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

[Hicc]

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?

Oh, I no idea this might turn into a 'wash-your-towels-after-every-use' camp v the slatterns.

There's no way I can fold and put worn trousers back in the drawer. But no way I am washing them after a wfh day either.

But I love the idea of a valet stand - I might see if I can design and build my own. Thank you for the project idea!

Clean clothes are hung up inside out (i wash my clothes inside out). Worn but still clean to wear right side out. Simple

Exact same wired ikea drawers for me. And exact same situation of forgetting about things and searching everywhere!

I use a pretty metal vintage coat stand with flocked hangers. I saw the idea in a boutique hotel and pinched it. Works an absolute treat and it looks good too.

I have a floordrobe. Or I hang things on hangers off the top loop of a bag hanging over the edge of my actual wardrobe. I have no room for another wardrobe or more storage.

Steam them and put them back in.

I either wear the same the next day or at this time of year I wash because clothes dry so quickly. Always wear clean pjs every night.

At this time of year everything goes in the washing. In cooler months, I fling over the back of a chair and open a window to air, unless I have a hot flush and the fires of hell surge through my body then clothes go in the washing.

Just use a separator like me. Everything to the left (or right if you fancy) can be worn again.

To be honest, I don’t have loads in that side at any given time but some bottoms I do wear a couple of times. Tops I generally just wear once.

Over the door hooks and wooden hangers on the back of the door.

I used to wash everything after one wear. Since COVID, I wear items a few times. I mostly WFH and have done for 20 years. We have stopped using the tumble dryer.

Do you not have a floor???

Blanket box?

I used to use an exercise bike. When I moved home, i realised that I hadn't actually used the bike as a bike for 5 years!

@Hicc Ikea used to do a stand; the top bit was coat hanger-like so you could hang a shirt on it, with rails beneath for trousers or skirt. I guess what others call a valet stand.

I don’t put used stuff back in the wardrobe but the stand is quite good.

I have a ‘worn drawer’. Clothes that can be worn again go in the bottom drawer. Anything that really needs to be hung up, goes on the left hand side of the wardrobe.
My husband and daughter have the same set up.

It depends on the item here. Things like t-shirts/tops/dresses go straight in the wash, jeans or trousers back in the wardrobe, knitwear hung on the outside of the wardrobe for a couple of days then back in.

If it’s next to my armpits it gets washed essentially. I always wear a t-shirt under knits.

That’s my new life goal.

I can’t believe so many people put worn clothes back in the wardrobe…I couldn’t bear to do it! To me that’s like putting unwashed plates back in the cupboard!

We have hooks on the back of our en suite door for the once-worn items, and use hangers on the hooks if no loop on the clothes to hang from.

No, that's the whole point of the visible hanging rail; if the clothes are in the wardrobe, that could well happen. However, if they are on the rail you can see them and if you are unlikely to wear the again any time soon, then you can wash them before you put them away.

The chair is the solution.
This thread has clearly illustrated that tidy and clean are different. So many people with worn clothes tidily put away.

I will often wear my work clothes for a couple of hours, put them on the chair, wear them again the next day. They don’t smell, no visible grubbyness, but they’ve been out in the world, public transport etc so there is no way they are going back in with my clean clothes. That makes me feel the same as seeing people in American tv and films who so often happily wear shoes on their bed 😬🤯

You are not alone

I have sweat literally dripping from every inch of skin

No way am I wearing anything I have worn that day again before it has been washed thoroughly

I have clothes in my wardrobe(s) that I have had for YEARS and they have NEVER been washed.

@Hicc wear until dirty, then wash. Easy fix

Oh, I knew it would get crazy fairly quickly!

I think the "wash-your-towels-after-every-use" people are almost certainly the same ones who believe that you also must "deep-clean"* your entire house (including the upstairs rooms) before you have people over for dinner (a thread a while ago that had me truly flabbergasted - as I thought the whole point of having people over for dinner was to socialise, & have fun & interesting chat with friends over some lovely food & good wine ...).

*Also, when did cleaning become "deep cleaning"???

It depends on several factors like length of wear, what type of garment, how active I've been, the weather etc - but unless they are dirty &/or smelly, then almost all clothes (except pants of course) should not be washed after every wear. It's not just wasteful of resources, it reduces the lifespan of your clothing. It's good to see that this advice is now being included on some clothing websites of late.

I have hooks on the back of the bedroom door for dresses, skirts etc. A chair in the corner (mostly used by my partner). And a large trunk at the bottom of the bed (irrelevant aside - it's an old luggage trunk that came from the Aquitania liner). It currently houses all my high heels, which I no longer wear but can't quite bear to get rid of quite yet! And tops, jumpers, blouses etc get flung in a pile folded neatly on top of it for another wear (or two/three, depending on the above factors).

I don't put things back in the wardrobe as I might forgot about them, & even slight traces of body oils/scent can attract moths. I have had to battle the little bastards before, as I have lots of cashmere/silk/wool etc plus a penchant for vintage - so my wardrobe could be a great big picnic ground for them & I want them to remain eliminated!

(Yes, I'm definitely a slattern 😁!!!)

I wear clothes several times before washing them. The only things I only wear once is knickers, and socks, everything else gets reworn at least once. Im clean.