I pulled EVERYTHING out of my messy linen closet…

[@amandab.6815]

You should swap the contents of the washcloth bin and one of the hair bins since you need a larger bin for the washcloths.

[@tallulahsmom2964]

My family never had a linen closet. Each bedroom closet had an extra sheet set hanging in the closet. This worked out great. As soon as the dirty set was removed from the bed the clean set from the closet went on the bed. The dirty set went into the laundry and once clean was put back in the closet for the next bed change. This would free up space in your linen closet. Have a great week.

[@jaynemarshall9304]

Years ago, I needed physical therapy and 'step saving' was taught to conserve energy. My therapist suggested folding the clean sheet set longwise, rather than a folded bundle. The sheets were then slipped between the mattress and box spring for very easy access and no storage! I'd put a sheet and a pillowcase on each side of the bed. So, I'd strip the bed, pull out the fitted sheet and put it on, and when on the other side, pull out the flat and put it on! Finish the bed, grab up the dirty sheets and walk out of the room! Done!

[@lindamusser7370]

I like the way you show how you go through each basket and tell us the logic you use to make your decisions.

[@karenpage9383]

A sick dog taught me you can never have too many mattress protectors! 😅 I would have kept all of them and just put them in a basket tucked to the side. And I've been known to have a basket up high labeled cleaning supplies that *might* have stored candy, face paint, Christmas presents, etc 😉

[@tosiaka]

my suggestion: use small, teal containers for hair stuff and one bigger (white or brown) for washcloths- no visible overflow :)

[@katehamb439]

Your face when you said there was a 5th tissue box on the counter, priceless, mum life. 😆🤪😃🤩🫣like how you’ve tucked them out of sight. You’re making me rethink my own linen closet 😳😆

[@cindypavao822]

You taught me the 50 percent rule and it was so helpful to me. I don’t have to move things around to get what I’m looking for and I can find things easier. I did it all over my house. I hope you know how much you teach and encourage your viewers

[@DipityS]

That 50% rule is gold! I loved the after - I got visual images of the bed liners as lay-abouts taking up room without adding to the linen closet - out you go! I also love that your kiddies are going to be learning how to take care of themselves - it's not chores - it's empowerment I believe - they are taking care of themselves and learning to treat themselves with respect - good on the little ones!

[@3TXSisters]

Excellent! Getting rid of sheets and pillowcases is so hard for me. We seem to need more pillowcases as our guests use more than one pillow, and so does my husband. Storing extra pillows is a pain. Great video. Take care, Linda 🦋

[@KlingonPrincess]

Looks so tidy! You just proved that we need to revisit already decluttered areas with all the mattress protectors. 🌻🍄

[@GoingGreenMom]

You could put the new round of washclothes in the matching container that was empty so you just have 2 to pull from. It might help keep them from landing on the floor. It turned out looking great!

[@marinard6293]

Was itching to suggest the same thing 😄

[@jennyjenkins877]

You beat me to it! I also thought it would be a good idea to keep an extra mattress protector for each size of bed because accidents happen. Erica is probably not thinking about her daughter starting her cycle just yet but that's a future consideration.

[@micheleferguson2847]

I would suggest that you keep mattress protector as my whole family just over severe vomiting and diarrhoea bug!! Just a thought!

[@irenehinojosa6629]

You do such a nice job explaining everything for your viewers. I do not have any young children at this stage in my life but I still enjoy watching your videos. Keep making videos for those going through the same thing you are.❤😊

[@allioakley3372]

What if each person had their own basket with their sheets in their own bedroom closet. That would free up your bathroom pantry shelves

[@dwilliams2414]

That's what we do- the kids keep an extra set in a drawer under their beds. We all have two sets of sheets, works well!

[@jackiedent3923]

I just reorganized our hall closet. I could find everything but now I don’t have to move anything! Also tossed lots of stuff we just didn’t need to keep. Thanks for sharing your brain 😂

[@simplyfunctional6451]

You could always use a wet erase marker for your labels that way they can be wiped off when you want to change the label but won’t wipe off with hands grabbing the baskets

[@terryruiz7417]

Well done! I recently cleaned out my "linen closet." Lots stored in it, but I cleaned out. Yes, 2 sets of sheets for each bed, and I replaced a set that was no longer fit for use. I've discovered...I'm a sheet junky. Six sets for my husband and my bed. Two sets are flannel for winter. Empty nesters, so other beds only 2 sets each bed, but I do love pretty, crisp sheets! The clean out brought my problem to my attention. I'm keeping myself down to 6. Promise!

[@susanhoward2305]

First time here 🎉. I love that you are sharing the logic for why you are managing the content of your closet the way you do. That is so helpful for me. My learning style is abstract random. Which means I’m literally bouncing off the walls. I’m 81 and I need all the help I can get with logical thinking and action. Hey, I’m a butterfly!! I can’t fly straight ❤

[@micheleandrews4779]

Hi Erica! I recently watched your clean up of primary bedroom. So great! As a mama of 2 grown boys I came up with a great way to preserve their pictures/artwork/certificates of recognition throughout school. I bought each one a nice 12x12 album at Hobby Lobby(on week when they are 40% off😊). Then I put their paper in order from k-garden until graduation. Slid each one in 12x12 page protector and filled each an album. They loved it so much. The albums are still at my house until they might want one day. I also did this for each of them with photos. Yours are so young if you start now you can keep up with it a lot easier. God Bless!❤

[@Ann-vr1qr]

Love it! Always enjoy you talking through the process with us. 💖

[@josephdaly2015]

Well done on letting so much linen go 👏 and the closets is looking great. I laughed with the 5 boxes of opened tissues, shur anyone could have 1 😂🤣 I really appreciate how you talk each decision you make too. Have a great week. Mary, Joes wife 🙇‍♀️👏💪👍🙏💐🧺

[@MyBlessedNest]

I love the 50% full idea for storage areas! #goals

[@reginabeasley872]

Awesome job keeping clutter out of the house is a chore in itself you are a great mom and wife

[@christineabercrombie5257]

Oh Erica - just love you! My brain just works the same way as yours and every video is just such great insp and motivation!❤

[@sheilak4493]

My linen closet is a disaster! May do mine this week

[@johnwolfe2616]

Sue Wolfe- A space bag type of bag might work well for the blankets that you want to store, yet have access to.

[@joyindrelie6715]

Thanks for sharing! Honestly, you don't need to bother spending time ahead of videos thinking through questions--it's helpful to watch you think through projects in real time starting at zero!

[@lrid3sc3nt]

Sharpie marker will come off of nonporous surfaces with alcohol. So you could use it for your basket labels.

[@Joce123]

I have a guest bed that never gets used so I spread out all of my extra blankets on that bed and then cover all those blankets with a comforter... perfect storage solution.

[@datamusic4923]

I don't have a linen closet, so I keep a spare set of sheets in the room that they're used. I do have a set of winter / summer ones for one of the beds (We change the size of the duvet so it wraps further around for winter). So in each room, I keep a spare towel / spare set of bed linen wrapped in one of the pillow cases. Guest towels are kept up on top shelf with the out of season set of sheets. They are stored in a cubed shelving system, behind doors, but as they're cubes once they over flow I know something has gone wrong.

[@reginacornish3030]

Erica, thank you! I watched your video yesterday, thought about my current bedding inventory, and decided to have a second set of sheets for our bed. Some days, it was a physical struggle to strip, wash, dry, and remake the bedding on the same day. So I finished your video and went thrifting! I now have a really nice second set of sheets, and bonus it cost $11.00!

[@jennnance867]

You could use a wet erase market on the labels in the linen closet that way it won't just tub off unless it's wet

[@raymondmonaghan4112]

Hi there sweetie pie hope you are well maybe extra blankets in the corner may be something you can think of in storage bags dust free less space always love your videos love from Eugenie your friend xxx ✨🏡💖

[@LilaVert-FR]

Good job ! I would suggest putting the tissue boxes with the rest of the restocking. They are presently hidden, so I guess they will never be used.

[@vanillaskye55]

Can you use your old hand towels basket for your overflow washcloths?

[@kathiritchey8138]

Or use one of the bigger half empty white hair baskets for washcloths :)

[@beverleyhirst9380]

Many years ago I worked in a laundry. Among other things we would launder sheets and towels. There were two separate places where these items had to be returned to once laundered, two cupboards as such. Each of the items had to be folded to fit within a space on the shelves, each cupboard was a different size and some items had to be folded in a different way depending on where it would be returned to. I hope you understand all that- 200 sheets all folded, 200 pillow cases all folded and stacked. When my 4 children were at home I carried on the same system, we all had a spare set of bedding, our own towels. I didn't expect my children to launder or even help until they were in their teens. I now live on my own, same system with a spare set for visitors. It may take longer to fold things but it looks neater and you won't need the baskets where things can hide

[@jadadallas5891]

Wow. In their teens? I can't imagine that. I was doing my own laundry and bedding (except heavy blankets) when I was 10 or 11. By choice. My son started doing his around the same age. Not criticizing your choice in that. I was just surprised.

[@dianamarsden1933]

This a great video! I have been thinking of reorganizing and decluttering my linen closet. This gives me ideas about what to keep and get rid of! Thank you Erica it’s like you know what I am thinking.

[@briashubert2489]

i'm with ya Erica, there's just very little i want to manage! ❤

[@minimaladjacent]

season or extras are good in awkward corners. space bag seasonals- I usually put in lavender and chalk for scent and moisture absorption. you could if the kids have space store the sheets in their rms. we have no linen closet but lots of extras bc pets and I air dry everything. I have season sheets/blankets/curtains etc. when we had a storage closet had storage racks on the back of the door for shampoos, soaps, cleaners etc. I would combine the smaller categories together. dye and hair ties. if not put them both in smaller containers. old sheets are good to keep a few to keep the vehicle clean if you get dirt or mulch and if you get a frost nite to cover your garden beds with... had to do that recently. I always wash my mattress protectors every so often or if they get dirty... bc dust and skin flakes get on em... and some ppl are allergic to dust mites etc... best to strip the beds, vacuum them too...carpet clean if you have one. I turn the bed when I change the rubber sheet.

[@angelamarden9684]

Hi Erika. This looks great and seems easy to maintain. Great video.😊

[@karensohm1723]

I need a buddy to declutter with and I think you're it lol so I will be decluttering along with you😂

[@amandaphillips13]

I keep on extra mattress protector for our couch and inflatable air mattress for when a stomach bug hits the house. I have 4 kids. We sleep in the livingroom when they are sick. They sleep on the air mattress or couch depending on who all is sick. The waterproof mattress protector is a game changer especially with little kids! I also keep a smaller one in the pet bedding in case of pet troubles!

[@Siures]

I actually decided to keep a few towels extra. They are old ones from my husbands granny and are wearing down a quickly. And when they’re worn I am shopping my stash. And I sew cleaning clothes and washing clothes out of them. In the past I gave them to a befriended dog owner who needed them for the dog bed so the dog won’t destroy her bed (or eventually the sofa). I think if they’re stored away it’s more sustainable for a family of four or five to keep these things than to rebuy them every few years.

[@johnmelissaziech6207]

Just went through my linen closet and came up with a similar plan for the sheets. Two sets for each bed to cycle them through without too much pressure to get the washing done on the same day. I didn't use baskets because we're empty nesters. I like my sheets folded so each set is folded and stored in one of the pillowcases. It sure feels good to look at the tidy closet!

[@Chrissyhappy]

I use the tucked away spaces for my memory boxes in my cupboards. That way they’re stored in a safe place but I don’t need access all the time.😊

[@mrseliephant]

We have 2 sheet sets per bed. For the busyness of life and in case someone gets sick. I keep each sheet set folded inside the pillowcase that goes with the sheet set. :) For us it has made it a lot easier than digging in baskets for pieces of the sheet set.

[@scara1859]

Keep the mattress covers!!! Replace them every season. They will be loaded with droppings of skin, etc., so a nice way to get a clean “mattress” every other month or so. Our family has allergies so I feel great when I can put on a fresh clean mattress cover. Or at least put one in your guest bucket so they won’t be sleeping on her dead skin droppings, etc. Even motels have washable mattress covers. Love you❤

[@SauerPatchGardening]

You probably had all those pillow cases from when your kids were younger, they always seem to get sick in bed, ALWAYS! Lol. So extra pillow cases. Just in case. Same with the mattress protectors. As moms we always want our job to be easier, especially when we have sick kids. Now that they are older you don't need them. I've gotten rid of do many "extras" now that my kids are grown and on their own. Great video as always. I use so many of your tricks in my own decluttering. 😊

[@hanneshuette]

Good job 👍🏻 👏🏻🥳

[@Katy_living_simply]

Great video! I love how you always walk and talk through everything. It helps me process my thoughts.❤

[@terrilloyd3691]

If the sheets are folded the don’t take up as much space in the basket. I’d put another extra pillow cases in the basket if you have them available now, because they wear more quickly.

[@Heather.C.ButterflySage]

I love your green bins in the linen closet. I'm taking a second and third pass through areas I've been decluttering these past 2+ years and am making strides in simplifying! Love your channel for inspiration. Keep going!

[@michellegleave2550]

Love your thinking, this new process of yours sounds like a winner!

[@joyindrelie6715]

❤ looks so good! ❤

[@keelienne]

Thank you so much for sharing your thought process, that helps out so much!! And there are ways of folding blankets and so on where the last step ist to tuck an end, so they keep their form and don’t unravel and leave a mess - I’m sure KZbin academy can teach you 😃

[@courtneyelizabeth4710]

My daughters use artic fox hair color as well! The red colors do seem to take 6+ months to come out, even in natural unbleached hair. The pinks, purples, and blues seem to wash out much better :)

[@simplegiftsandtruths8263]

You could use the wet erase, vis a vis markers that are harder to smudge. Xx

[@judyellen4412]

Yeah, the tissue box thing…I can hear the conversation over dinner now. Haha Who is the one?….more haha Great job, Erica!

[@pamelawantsmusic]

It’s not sheet stripping day, it’s bed making day! Get the dirty sheets off and immediately put the fresh sheets you have in reserve on the beds. Beds are beautiful and clean and you bought yourself a week to wash the sheets and get them ready to be next weeks reserve sheets. This requires 2 sets of sheets per bed, but that’s reasonable! One set a day, kids all one day, adults another day… as long as they are clean and ready for the next week you’re golden! I love plain white sheets and pillowcases across all bedrooms. Personality can be added in other places lol

[@DM-ym9jh]

It may help to have baskets that are flatter on the side, rather than angled. Just a thought.

[@DM-ym9jh]

Also, maybe a curtain, with a tension rod to allow easy access, but keep it hidden? (I just keep responding while watching😂)

[@bebemcgorman]

You can buy wet erase markers. Once dried on, it doesn't wipe off unless you wet it and give it a bit of a scrub.

[@wyyeti4004]

Brilliant! Just going through the extra linen dilemma here, too. 👍

[@bethstratton3391]

Great video. I think that is a much better system because it enables everyone be accountable and be able to change their beds themselves. I still think because of your youngest is only seven, it may be better to keep that bottle of Draino cleaner on the top shelf because it’s better to be safe than sorry with cleaners.

[@conniesmith3922]

Great job Erica! 😊

[@ivonafiri9269]

I have 2 sets of bedding for our beds. Every person in the family has one set on their bad, and the other in their own closet. Neatly folded doesn't take up much space. You don't even need a system for managing bedding

[@GoingGreenMom]

Just a random thing, but if you wanted to simplify and eliminate the linen closet step(or for people without linen closets), we used to have 1 sheet set on the bed, and store 1 sheet set folded up and tucked under the foot of the mattress of the bed they went to. Works really well with the keep stuff where you use it idea.

[@Chrissyhappy]

Oh that’s a good idea! I have those flat storage bags too so could pop them in there first!😊

[@maisyoliver580]

Excellent Job well done you - Just a small thought why not cut the tops off the box of wipes makes them easily accessible

[@deniseharrison1410]

Going to tackle mine this week and downsize again. Thanks for your ideas

[@jennaalce4016]

The closet looks great and I know it will function better! Wonder if Becca's hair/hair dye stuff will fit in the blue bins, and then you could use one of the white bins for the overflowing cloths?

[@beachlover4413]

You are awesome! Love your channel!!

[@Cinedos]

Maybe put the label of hair dye on the back of the basket so your daughter can’t see it.

[@annbeth6730]

How about her being told she’s not to touch it . If she does throw it away .

[@jenniferbarney4220]

Good job!!

[@simplyfreedom171]

Can you use the empty blue bin you had for hand towels to be a second bin for wash cloths? Nice work, great job figuring out the process that works for you and your family!

[@kc3503]

You had me giggling... hope your door label came off! 🤭

[@rvmomma8687]

Have you ever considered using lufas or bath puffs instead of washcloths? Each person in our family uses a different color and we leave the on hooks in the shower. (This year I’m actually trying to grow my own lufas). We’ve completely eliminated washcloths.

[@smkdshade]

I have simplified my sheet Day by only having two sets of sheets for each bed and like you I have multiple sizes a beds I put one set of sheets on each bed and then I took the extra set of sheets and put it in that bedroom in a drawer so when you pull the dirty ones off you put the clean ones on immediately and then there's no going around the house looking for them because they're right there in that room and there's no hurry to get the sheets washed and dried and back on the bed before bedtime

[@bealynnoth3488]

Larger blankets that aren't used often, I launder, put in a tall kitchen bag, press out the air, tie shut and label with a sharpie. On a high shelf or hard to access shelf, they are smaller, easy to identify and retrieve when needed.

[@lrid3sc3nt]

Great video!

[@kimberlyweiland554]

Could you put the baskets for the kids' sheets in the closet in their room?

[@lmagas-om9dp]

Looks amazing!

[@habeebideemashayish2750]

Based on the wipes, I'm guessing they're for personal hygiene. I HIGHLY recommend a shattaf style bidet. A simple ten minute installation, and totally renter friendly. Mine cost $30, and i switched to reusable drying cloths. I totally get that drying cloths may be too much of a shift, but i go though about one roll of toilet paper a year. Plus, being on a septic tank, the less you flush, the better you are. I won't lie, i had a bit of eco schadenfreude when there was a run on toilet paper during covid.

[@judithm1196]

I wash the mattress protector. Might be worth keeping one extra.

[@MikeyDonna]

I have a solution for your wasted space in the closet. You maybe can’t do this since you’re renting but my father removed the shelves and brackets, placed shelves in both ends all the way to the floor. Now they walk into the center of the shallow closet, turn left or right to access the floor to ceiling shelves. Simple.

[@Joce123]

My children started doing their own laundry at age 5..

[@patriciadurham815]

Try space saving bags

[@CL-mn1yq]

Wash cloth extras into empty hand towel matching bin?

[@lkhorvath4]

Wet erase marker

[@bridgettebeaston7248]

I would buy travel size products for the competition hair do products- more likely you won’t be going through a full size in a year and after that the product gets old and you will be tossing it

[@anitachopping]

Instead of using the basket fold the sheets and put them straight on to the shelves with a label on the shelf.

[@karenhaire5451]

People think it makes things easier when they don't fold, but really it makes an irritating mess. You might try vertical wire dividers so you can see what is there. And fold.

[@madamkiwi1094]

Do you have winter and summer sheets, we do in our country

[@barbaraweber3084]

Don't forget space bags for large items.

[@scara1859]

Do your mattress covers have padding on them or are they just plastic. The plain plastic ones you can wipe clean and just tape them when they rip or buy a new one then.

[@angelicakron-y2s]

do peolpe in use only have sheets? what about the pillow/blanket covers? you don't have that?

[@allisonmcgriff6844]

I'd be the guest who would hate having a top sheet.. the weight isn't even with a comforter and it always ends up kicked at the foot of the bed 🤣

[@tambaldocarletti]

Why don’t you use the empty green bin to store the extra washcloths?

[@scara1859]

Put your extra stack of washcloths in the empty Blue bin so when someone grabs one they won’t all fall on the floor….that’s why we use baskets, right? 😊❤

[@Lisa-ee5ev]

could you please rewrite "Brandon"? My OCD is killing me on the squished "on" 😅 good job though!

[@smkdshade]

Adding an amendment to my other comment my friend was here watching this with me and she told me that her grandmother taught her that when you clean your second set of sheets instead of throwing them in the drawer you fold them flat and put them under your mattress between your mattress and your box spring and I told her I'm still stealing that idea

[@cristinas4398]

⁉️⁉️⁉️ Erica, may I request a topic? It plagues me with guilt. I keep hunting month after month but cant find anyone addressing it. I feel extremely guilty that I do not live the "From-Scratch Cooking" lifestyle that might commonly accompany my minimal-ish, simple living homekeeping. I keep searching for videos explaining why, just maybe, "It's okay to use convenience foods (or semi-homemade meals) AND convenience appliances (like blenders, washing machines, crock pots)." I'm old school at heart but husband & I have had 14 years of chronic issues & low energy. Right now, I'm thrilled to move from the Hot Pocket season to the "home cooking" pasta but using a store-bought jar sauce. I cant even promise I'll magically learn the from-scratch routine once we come out of this season & are healthy but then get busy having kids. I love your perspectives, thought I'd ask you.