Talk to me about your linen cupboard...

[HeroWantage]

Is it tidy? Or does it look like a bomb's hit it / explosion in an old towel and greying bed sheet factory, like mine does?

Is there a secret to having it look lovely, and does anyone actually manage to have properly white sheets?

I need help here; I feel on a deep level that taking charge of the linen cupboard will give me a completely false sense of control...

Mine is really tidy (smug)
Lots of shelves though so it's not hard.
Every shelf has only one type of thing on it ...towels, pillow cases, duvet covers etc. And since we moved six months ago, I binned everything that was rubbish or knackered.

Thighsmadeofcheddar of your cupboard. We only have 3 shelves and an awful lot of stuff. How do you get fitted sheets folded and staying tidy?

I tried to do the Anthea Turner thing of putting all the bedding for one set inside a pillow case cover, but just ended up with a manky looking pillow case.

Tidyish, but over due for a clean out

I have baskets, towels stacked by size, linen folded inside matching pillow case and little pots for flannels and bits

Sadly I also have too much stuff and it needs trimming down but I am addicted to bed linen...

Baskets! Baskets may be the secret...my linen just lolls about. DreamTeamGirl, do you put the whole bed linen set inside the pillow case?

Tidy, lots of shelves (DH made extra shelves inbetwen the originals), neatly folded (full credit to DH) -- labels where everything goes (credit to me).

I never buy anything without tossing old items first, to avoid overcrowding

please dont talk to me about it as it will remind me to stop hiding the ironing in there.

at you lot with linen cupboards.

I have a shelf above the boiler and my linen competes for shelf space with my climbing gear, with often disasterous consequences. And DB's tools are also all stored in this cupboard. And so's the camping gear.

Mine is tidyish but not as much as I'd like. When I was in England and had a proper airing cupboard, the linen cupboard was above it. I had it all set out properly, so I knew which pile was what (pillowcases, single duvet covers, double duvet covers, sheet sets. mattress protectors separate and towels also in separate piles (hand and bath).

Here, it's just a cupboard - no airing about it :( and it's not sorted properly yet. I'm getting there - separating the doubles and singles from the kingsize has just happened (thank goodness) but I still have to organise it a bit better.

Hero yes, the whole set in for me, just duvet for little man as I dont quite have enough bottom sheets for him

Once you get into the routine you can fold the duvet just a little under half pillow case size really easily so it is so neat and tidy.

Am now re-inspired; it clearly can be done, and will give it a go. Tactics will be same items stacked. If doesn't work, will try baskets, and if that fails miserably will try DreamTeamGirl's approach; thanks one and all

My cupboard was revolutionised by putting a set inside a matching pillowcase - makes me feel good everytime I go to get something else out.

Our towels are in a cupboard in the bathroom and I just avoid looking in there

I have two... One for towels/bath mats open plan shelves in the bathroom: The tip here is to make sure you fold them all the same way and stack them up. For handtowels, I tend to roll them into a pyramid then when you grab one, it doesn't haul the rest out of shape. I suppose you could do this with all the towels.

Our bedsheets are all washed and stacked per set, but frankly they aren't that beautifully tidy.

I used to have a lovely tidy linen set up, and I am so bored from being snowed in, I think I will sort it all out again, it feels lovely when it is sorted out!

oh mine is all ironed and tidy, it really makes me feel good no matter how sad that sounds to anyone else. Even if I don't iron sheets and duvet covers sometimes I alwas iron them once i've folded them just so they lie flat and look nice.

I don't understand why you have to put duvet cover inside a pillow case, i have about 2 spare duvet covers and pillows, its really not hard to match them up.

Funny you ask this. Mine is very tidy for the first time in about 2 years, and I have had a good sort out. My inner peace feels restored as a result

HeroWantage there is a knack to neat folded fitted sheets. Look on Youtube for "folding fitted sheet" there are a few how-to videos.
have to say all my sheets are flat and fold neatly anyway. I gate fitted sheets.

If your sheets are greying, you need to wash them hotter (90°) with plenty of good quality laundry detergent (Ariel) and some brightener/stain remover. And ideally line dry them in the sun.

Thanks for tips on folding, Ethelina (will be required Xmas viewing chez Wantage) and on greying sheets, Bonsoir. If sheets are already grey, is it too late, or can they be rescued by your hot wash approach?

Definitely worth trying.

gate = hate obv.

Mine is one of the most anally organised on MN with bilingual labels in little metal holders.

Top shelf - blankets
Next shelf - king sized
Shelf after that - towels (bath, hand, flannel all in piles) and pillowcases
Single - fitted sheets, flat sheets, duvet covers
Double - fitted sheets, flat sheets, duvet covers
Bottom - bags with extra duvets and pillows

People snigger, but I am proud.