Closets and Clothes Hangers » cedar hangers

Caring for your Cedar Closet

admin — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 17:36:22 +0000

Cedar closets are not only functional, but a beautiful high-end addition to any home. Cedar lined closets have recently been made popular by boutique hotels and do-it-yourself home improvement shows. However, cedar has been a popular wood option since ancient times. Today, we know why cedar’s properties are so valuable to us, so we use cedar where it is most beneficial, in the closet.

Cedar, specifically Red Cedar (Juniperus Virginiana), is a species of juniper native to North America. The fragrant part of the wood is the pinkish brown heartwood, which we use for cedar hangers, liners, and shelving in our closets. The wood doesn’t just emit a fresh scent that we all enjoy, but it actually deodorizes the air. This makes it perfect for storing shoes, coats, and other items that are rarely laundered in our closets.

Another big benefit of cedar is its absorbent properties. Cedar absorbs moisture from the air. This is important when hanging coats and storing boots that are wet with snow. It’s also popular in humid climates because the humidity alone can make your clothes smell musty. The odor that you smell when something has been in storage, is actually mold and mildew. Cedar controls the growth of mold and mildew by keeping the closet at a low moisture level.

Cedar is a fine, densely grained wood that does not require stains or varnishes. This makes it possible for us to enjoy the beauty of its natural color while reaping the benefits of using cedar in our closets. Cedar is rot resistant and repels many insects, including moths, silverfish, and cockroaches. If you have a cedar closet in your home, then I’m sure you love it!

When a cedar closet gets to be a few years old, it may start to dry out and lose its fragrance. You may notice a waxy build-up or that your cedar has lost its shine. Caring for your cedar will enable it to last for many years. It should not be exposed to rapid temperature or moisture changes, so don’t store cedar items in a basement or garage. Rapid changes can cause cracking. If you get a crack, you can place fresh orange peels, white side down, tightly against the wood for several days. The oils in the orange peels will pull the crack shut again.

Antique cedar products should be treated by a professional to avoid damage. Newer cedar products may get a waxy coating on them. Clean the wax away with oil soap cleaner. Regular dusting with a vacuum attachment is generally sufficient, but you can wax cedar to restore shine. You have to use a specific kind of wax called carnauba wax to fill in cracks, restore shine, and protect the surface of your cedar closet.

Restoring that wonderful fragrance that you love is as easy as gently hand sanding the surface of your cedar shelves and cedar coat hangers with a fine-grit sandpaper. Cedar clothes hangers are not only beautiful, but protect your coats and suits from damage. Cedar hangers are the most popular wood hangers on the market. Taking care of your closet cedar will ensure years of pleasurable use for you and your family.

About the Author: Charlie Hafter is on the staff of Closet Hanger Factory, a leading online resource for clothes hangers. Get all of the closet and clothes hanger accessories you could need at http://www.closethangerfactory.com, which is recognized worldwide for their excellent quality hangers.

Ideas for your Linen Closet

admin — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 03:40:09 +0000

Are you interested in creating an inspiring space that helps you start off your day on the right foot? Then use these ideas to get your creative juices flowing! An organized linen closet doesn’t have to be a boring one. If you put your mind to it, you can create a linen closet that inspires you and helps you to keep your home organized.

1) Our first idea is to improve the lighting situation in your closet. Shelves and drawers are great in a closet, but we end up rummaging through them so much that we can’t keep them nice and neat. Installing lighting over each shelf and even inside of the drawers can make it easier to see what you’re looking for. This can help you to keep your drawers and stacks of clothes organized for longer periods of time. Plus, it just makes your closet look like a welcoming place. Consider installing a dimmer switch with motion detection so that your closet will automatically illuminate for you at the desired brightness every time you open the door. When you close the door, the light should automatically go off.

2) If you keep linens and comforters in your closet, they can end up taking up a lot of valuable space. Most people use a good portion of their bedroom closet shelving for sheets, blankets and comforters. The space can become even more cramped if you store table linens and curtains in there, too. You can free up that closet shelf storage space by using comforter hangers. They come in different depths to accommodate thick down comforters or thinner quilts. There are special hangers for keeping your curtains and sheets wrinkle free as well. Choose ones with nylon or rubberized surfaces so that they don’t slip off and end up crumpled on the floor.

3) Now, you may be thinking that hanging all of your blankets will free up shelf space, but then it will only be taking up your hanging space. Not necessarily. For around ten dollars, you can get an extra hanging bar. In a reach-in closet, you can install the extra bar up high on the right or left side of the closet. This will give you extra long hanging space for your linens.

4) Using specialty clothes hangers can help you to maximize space and stay organized at the same time. Hangers that allow you to cascade things that hang flat save a lot of space. You can cascade things like skirts, shorts, pants, or anything else that hangs safely close together. Go ahead and use curved, sturdy hangers for coat and suits. Coat hangers or wood hangers are best for hanging heavier items that need to keep their shape at the shoulder. Using a variety of hanger types will allow you to adjust the hanging space that you use to make room for everything else.

About the Author: Charlie Hafter is on the staff of Closet Hanger Factory, a leading online resource for clothes hangers. Get all of the closet and clothes hanger accessories you could need at http://www.closethangerfactory.com, which is recognized worldwide for their excellent quality hangers.

Storing Winter Coats and Suits

admin — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 05:44:03 +0000

The winter season is now in full swing and we’re starting to use all of those heavy winter coats and suits. Did your coats come out of storage smelling like a musty old closet? You’re not alone. Many people complain about the odor that seems to cling to things that have been stored for any length of time. This smell is actually mold and mildew growing in your clothing, so you have a right to be disgusted by the smell. It not only smells bad, but can cause allergic reactions in many people. Properly caring for and storing your coats and suits year round can help you to prolong the life of your expensive wardrobe and protect yourself from allergies and annoying musty odors.

1) When using your coats this winter, let them dry completely before putting them back into the closet. You don’t want to introduce moisture into the coat closet or your bedroom closet. If your coat or suit jacket is damp from rain, snow, or even mist, hang it outside of the closet in a dry environment for twenty four hours before placing it back into the closet with the other clothes. You can buy an inexpensive hanging rack for coats, shoes, hats, gloves, mittens and more. These hanging rods are like the ones that you might see in an office or doctor’s office. Give yourself a place to easily hang your wet items so that you aren’t tempted to hang them back in the closet or toss them over a chair.

2) Stock your hanging area with the things that you’ll need to dry out your winter wear. A shoe rack can help to hold shoes open so that air can circulate inside. Hangers with clips are great for clipping up gloves, hats and mittens. Scarf hangers are useful for keeping your scarves organized and letting them air out after use. Coat hangers that are curved will keep air between the front and the back of your coats and suits. You don’t want hangers with a flat design because they don’t let enough air into the garment to let it completely dry. Place your hanging area near a heater vent if possible so that the heat and moving air can help things dry before they have a chance to mold or mildew.

3) When you store coats and suits back in the closet, make sure that you are using the right clothes hangers. Hangers, like wood hangers or specially designed coat hangers, will be curved across the top and also across the body. The curvature should support the shoulders without puckering out the arms or letting the collar and lapels drop. The body curve should slightly round out the back of the coat or suit so that it doesn’t cause the coat to lose its shape. The clothes hanger that you choose could be a very important factor in extending the life of your wardrobe. Choosing cedar hangers will help you to avoid moisture, odors and pests in your closet. Keep your clothing fresh and in shape by following these rules this winter.

Organizing Your Bathroom Storage

admin — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 13:59:38 +0000

The bathroom is a small space that needs to hold many types of items. This is a recipe for disaster if you are unable to keep it in a constant state of organization. Bathroom storage is often a struggle for many people. To get it organized and make the most of the small space that you have, you definitely need a plan. Use these tips to help you come up with a personalized storage system that will work in your bathroom.

1) Take an inventory count of what you need to keep in the bathroom. This is a great time to wipe out cabinets, clean out drawers, and wipe down all of the bathroom surfaces. Make yourself a list of what you want to keep together and categorize as much as you can. Avoid the dreaded “miscellaneous” pile that ultimately leads to an accumulation of clutter.

2) Make-up is a big problem in most people’s bathroom. It is pretty rare that you will actually use something completely up before purchasing another. Let’s say you bought a new eye shadow. The old one isn’t empty, but you really want to use the new one. Now, you may go back and forth, but inevitably, you’ll need a new color, and then the pile-up begins. Have you organized and stored your make-up before, but it still tends to be all over the place? This is generally because we use it so much. If there isn’t a very convenient place to store it, it ends up on the counter. Use a large make-up organizer for things that are not in your current rotation. Use a countertop organizer for things that you use every day. It’s important for the top to be open so that you’re not tempted to drop it on the counter instead.

3) Make sure that you have somewhere, like a hamper, for your dirty clothes to go. Laundry can be a problem in the bathroom. Not only are we changing for bed, getting ready for work, and taking showers in there, but we are also using towels and washcloths. Sometimes you may need to hang your towels to dry so that you don’t have wet clothes molding or growing mildew in the hamper. Make sure that you have an easy place to hang towels and an easy to access hamper for your dirty laundry.

4) Storing linens in the bathroom is much easier if you have the appropriate dividers and hangers. Cedar clothes hangers are a great thing to use in a bathroom linen closet. They absorb moisture, protecting your sheets and blankets from that mildew smell. Cedar wood hangers also deodorize to keep the closet fresh. You can use ordinary coat hangers to hang sheets, but there are also open ended comforter and blanket hangers you can use to keep air circulating around your linens.

Maintaining a Cedar Closet

admin — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 13:17:30 +0000

Closets Themed with Wood

admin — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 21:05:56 +0000

Closets that feature wood shelves, cabinets, drawers and wooden hangers are classically beautiful. These closet styles withstand the test of time, in beauty and in functionality. If you’re considering installing a closet that features wood, then you have a lot of options.

Wood is one of the sturdiest building materials on the market. For closets, nothing beats cedar. It is strong, fragrant, and protects your wardrobe from mold, mildew, and pests. Cedar has a beautiful, colorful wood grain that is both unique and stunning. The look of cedar has been adored for generations.

In addition to the many benefits of cedar that you’ll experience long-term, you can also enjoy the fact that cedar doesn’t have to be stained or varnished. Its uniqueness is best enjoyed unfinished. After a few years, your wooden cedar hangers, shelves, and cabinetry can be gently sanded with a fine grit sandpaper to renew its fragrance.

Other types of wood shelving that are popular are maple, oak, and pine. Pine isn’t quite as sturdy as the other types of wood, but is still great for closets. If you use pine, be aware that the wood can easily split when you are nailing or screwing it into place. Drill a small pilot hole in the shelves before you nail or insert a screw to avoid this problem.

You can paint the walls of the closet with a color that compliments the wood you are using before you install. It is easier to do this before you install shelving. You can also sand, stain and varnish wood before you install it.

Once you have your system in place, you can accentuate the wood theme by installing crown moulding in the closet. You can install wood doors, door frames, use a dowel instead of a metal bar, use wood hangers or other high end clothes hangers, and install baseboards around the sides, top and bottom of your system. Wooden pegs instead of metal hooks make for functional hat and robe storage. You can also use a wood clothes hanger designed to hold things like belts and ties.

If you like the idea of a cedar closet, you might love the idea of lining the closet in cedar. You can use cedar planks or panels to finish out the closet. It looks beautiful and smells wonderful. It deodorizes your clothes and shoes so that you never have to worry about that musty closet smell.

Using wood in your closet will make it something you are proud of. It will be beautiful, increase your home’s selling value, and give you a sturdy closet system that can last you forever. Doing the project yourself will give you a feeling of accomplishment. Finishing out the closet with wooden hangers will give it that timeless beauty that you’re looking for.

About the Author: Charlie Hafter is on the staff of Closet Hanger Factory, a leading online resource for wooden hangers. Get all of the wood hangers and closet accessories you could need at http://www.closethangerfactory.com, which is recognized worldwide for their excellent quality hangers.

Spruce Up Your Linen Closet

admin — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 20:40:58 +0000

Linen closets can get musty and give your sheets and towels an odd smell. Don’t you just hate having to rewash your sheets before you can put them on your bed? Here are some ideas for freshening up your linen closet and keeping it organized.

First, get everything clean. Sheets, blankets, and other fine linens can get really wrinkled under the weight of each other. Plus, stacking them in the traditional manner helps them to hold in moisture and create that tell-tale musty linen closet odor. The smell actually comes from molds and mildews growing in your sheets and towels. If your closet smells, it may be a good idea to rewash the sheets and towels that are in there before you begin. Make sure that they are completely dry and free of moisture before you put them back in.

To avoid the wrinkled sheet problem, try installing an inexpensive hanging bar in the linen closet. You can use sturdy wooden hangers or specialty hangers with clips to hang your fresh sheets. This keeps them nice and smooth, instead of compressed, musty and wrinkled. It’s a really easy solution to a lot of linen closet problems.

The next thing you can do is use cedar wood hangers in the linen closet. Clothes hangers made of cedar absorb any moisture that may be left in your clean laundry. They also deodorize the area and keep it smelling fresh. They help fabrics and carpet resist mold and mildew growth. The smell of cedar is so nice on your linens and will make you feel like you’re staying in a nice hotel whenever you use a towel or change your sheets.

If you like other scents, you can use sachets or linen sprays. Sachets are just little bags made of breathable fabric. You can fill them with your favorite herbs, dried flowers, potpourri or cedar accessories. You just sprits linen sprays on your fabrics weekly to keep the whole closet smelling nice. Cedar will last a long time but may eventually start to lose its aroma. If that happens with cedar hangers or cedar accessories, just rub them a little with a fine-grit sandpaper and they’ll be as good as new again.

You can also use dryer sheets to freshen your closet. Some people like to put one dryer sheet, or fabric softener sheet, in between each sheet and towel in the linen closet. However, many people with sensitive skin are unable to use fabric softeners. If this is the case for you, simply leave the box of fabric softener sheets in the closet, but not touching any of your linens. This may be a good idea for everyone, since dryer sheets contain a wax that can mark your sheets and other linens.

Using dryer sheets, sachets, cedar accessories and cedar clothes hangers will keep your closet smelling nice. Hanging linens on nice wooden hangers will keep it looking great as well. A good wood hanger will be sturdy enough to support the weight of heavy blankets without bending or breaking. When your linen closet is fresh and organized, you can enjoy it every day.

Choosing Your Best Storage

admin — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 15:56:08 +0000

Having the proper storage can help you keep things organized. Whether you like dressers or closet drawers, armoires or rolling hanging bars, you are sure to stay more organized when your storage fits your habits, personality and décor.

First, determine what style fits your room. Choose storage that is consistent with your theme, even if you do not want a rigidly themed room. You can create a feeling of romance, loyalty, glamour, sophistication, cleanliness or even an urban feel by properly selecting your storage.

If your bedroom is neat and efficient, almost minimalist, you probably do not want a lot of bulky furniture. Most people that love clean lines and empty space choose an elaborate closet organization system to make sure nothing ever gets cluttered. At most they probably have a low, simply designed bedside table or low profile dresser.

You can increase the feeling and appearance of space in a room like this by using mirrors and keeping furniture low profile. Platform beds are popular in a minimalist room. Furniture, however, is not. The closet is key here. Whether you have a big closet or a small one, you should make sure that your closet system is consistent with your room’s feel. If possible, match up shelves with the platform bed, lamps, lighting fixtures or whatever else is themed in your room. Black shelves on a white wall look sharp and crisp. Shallow drawers help keep all of those little accessories in their place.

Minimalist closets generally do not have things hanging on hooks or piled on the floor. Everything should be tucked away in its own little space, out of sight. That is why cabinets and drawers are so popular. Use metal hangers, not wire, for a utilitarian feel. Shirt hangers and pants hangers can be combined with cascading hooks to keep space between each thing on the bar. Using specialty hangers will definitely help you keep your closet looking as great as your bedroom.

If you have an elaborate four-poster bed, you are probably more into armoires and dressers. You may enjoy the antique feel or the boldly romantic feel of large, wood furniture. Armoires add a nice touch to bare spaces and make a beautiful focal point in a big room. If this is your style, then you may want to extend the theme into your closet.

Instead of installing wire rack shelves or using a lot of plastic containers, use wood. Wood shelves give your closet a beautiful look that does not interfere with the feeling you created with your bed, dresser and armoire. Canvas containers or baskets do not detract from the style as much as plastic does, so consider them when looking at closet storage options.

Your hangers should also be wood. Don’t think that you are stuck with one kind of hanger if you choose wooden hangers. You can get shirt hangers, skirt hangers, pants hangers and dress hangers that all match. Use cedar accessories or cedar hangers to make your closet smell as good as it looks.

About the Author: Charlie Hafter is on the staff of Closet Hanger Factory, a leading online resource for shirt hangers, skirt hangers, pants hangers and dress hangers. Get all of the accessories you could need at http://www.closethangerfactory.com, which is recognized worldwide for their excellent quality hangers.