The Organizer

Dear Devorah,

How Do I Stop My Linen Closet from Becoming a Linen Avalanche?

– Buried in Blankets

Dear Buried, 

Ah yes, the dreaded linen landslide—where pulling out a single pillowcase causes an entire shelf to collapse like a game of textile Jenga. We’ve all been there.

Linen can be deceptively tricky to store—it’s bulky, awkward to fold, and somehow always multiplies when you’re not looking. But with a few smart tips, we can turn your chaotic closet into a calm, curated space. Bonus: these tips work just as well for tablecloths, towels, and even that mysterious pile of fuzzy blankets you keep telling yourself you’ll organize “someday.”

Step 1: The Great Unload

First things first—empty the entire closet. Don’t just pull out a few pieces here and there. Linen has a sneaky way of hiding across five shelves, even if you only own three sets. Doing it all in one go helps you see what you’re actually working with.

Spread everything out on a clean bed or, if you’re working on the floor, lay down a plastic tablecloth to keep things clean (no need to rewash everything just because it touched the carpet).

Now’s the perfect time to wipe down the shelves and sweep out the bottom. (Is it too soon to call this a head start on Pesach cleaning?)

Step 2: Edit Ruthlessly
Let’s play a game called “Do I actually need this?” Go through your sets—do you actually have full sets, or just an orphaned sheet here and a lonely pillowcase there? If it’s not a complete, usable set or if you haven’t reached for it in over a year (okay, fine—18 months), it might be time to say goodbye.

Love a set that’s missing a few pieces? Try finding a coordinating flat sheet or pillowcase to fill in the gaps. But if you’ve got one fitted sheet with a broken elastic and two random cases from 2009—into the donation bag they go.

And don’t forget towels! If they’re ripped, stained, or just have that “been through too much” look, turn them into shmattas (cleaning rags), or give them a noble retirement.

Step 3: Fold Like a Pro (Or at Least Fake It)
Stacking linens the old-fashioned way—sheets, then covers, then pillowcases—works in theory. In reality, it turns into a leaning tower of frustration. My trick? Fold everything into itself like a neat little linen burrito.

Start with the fitted sheet:

Fold it in half, tucking the elastic corners into each other so they nest.

You should now have one rounded edge (with elastic) on top and a flat edge on the bottom.

Fold the rounded edge down to meet the flat edge, forming a long rectangle.

Then fold that rectangle into thirds lengthwise. Set it aside.

Next, fold your pillowcases.

Fold each one in half vertically, then again horizontally. Stack them neatly on top of the folded fitted sheet.

Now prepare the quilt (duvet) cover.

Fold the cover in half the short way (top to bottom), then fold it into thirds lengthwise. You should now have a flat, wide rectangle.

Place your folded fitted sheet and pillowcases directly in the center of that quilt cover rectangle.

Then wrap it all together:

Fold the left side of the quilt cover over the linens to cover them fully.

Next, fold the right side over the top, creating a clean, compact bundle.

You now have a neat, self-contained set of linens that stays together and looks great on the shelf

Pro Tip: Measure your shelves first to make sure your folded sets fit without spilling over. And when placing them on the shelf, keep the seam facing out for a clean, uniform look.

This folding method also works wonders for towels and tablecloths. Want that ultra-satisfying, hotel vibe? Compare the size of each set as you fold so they all stack into perfect piles. 

Step 4: Sort and Store

Keep like with like—towels on one shelf, linen on another. Within that, organize by size: queen, twin, crib, etc. It makes it so much easier when you’re grabbing things mid-laundry or prepping for guests.

And if you want to level up? Color-coordinate. There’s nothing more satisfying than a row of folded linens all in pleasing, matching tones. Even your mother-in-law will be impressed.

Step 5: Contain the Chaos
Blankets? Store them in clear blanket bags or up top where they won’t get in the way. Fuzzy throws can be folded neatly or tucked into a basket for a more styled look.

Hate folding altogether? Invest in linen storage cases or labeled baskets. These keep things tidy with minimal effort—just stuff the set inside and slap on a label.

Final Thought
Yes, it’s a bit of work upfront—but once you’ve done the initial setup, maintaining it is a breeze. You don’t fold 14 sets of linen every week (unless you’re running a small hotel). Keep the system simple, and future-you will thank you every time you open that closet and don’t get hit in the head by a rogue towel.

Happy Organizing,

Devorah