| Do you still have every towel you ever owned- | | | | laundry day. Also keep one extra towel for each |
| including the ones you used in college? Is it | | | | overnight guest that you can accommodate. (Hint: |
| impossible for you to pull anything out of your | | | | if you only have sleeping accommodations for |
| linen closet without everything coming out | | | | two overnight guests, you don't need 12 extra |
| because it's so stuffed? Perhaps it's time for you | | | | towels!) |
| to give your linen closet a makeover. | | | | Hand towels: two per bathroom. Rotate them on |
| Let's figure out how many sheets, towels, | | | | laundry day.Dish towels: these can get soiled |
| blankets, etc., you really need. | | | | easily, so you may need to change them |
| Sheets: for each bed in your house, you need | | | | between laundry days if necessary. Three to five |
| two sets of sheets: one on the bed, and one in | | | | should suffice. |
| the closet. When you take off the sheets to | | | | Beach towels: this depends on your family and |
| launder them, remake the bed with the second | | | | your habits. If you go swimming frequently as a |
| set. Rotating them keeps both of them fresher. | | | | family, then you'll need more than if you rarely go |
| Pillowcases: keep any pillowcases that match your | | | | swimming or if only one or two members of your |
| sheet sets, and rotate them as well. Keep some | | | | family swim. A basic rule is one per family |
| extra pillowcases that are in excellent shape, since | | | | member, plus one or two extra for guests, but |
| they can be used in different bedrooms, | | | | adjust that up or down depending on your |
| regardless of the size of the bed. Discard any | | | | situation. |
| pillowcases that are soiled or frayed. | | | | Tablecloths and napkins: do you actually use |
| Blankets: they can be very bulky, so you don't | | | | these? Or are they a leftover from an earlier |
| want to keep more than you need. One summer | | | | period in your life? Feel free to part with them if |
| and one winter blanket for each bed should be | | | | you never use them. If you do keep them, make |
| sufficient. That still provides you with extras in | | | | sure you keep only those that fit the table you |
| case of a sleepover. | | | | currently have, and only those that are free of |
| Bath towels: each person in the house should | | | | stains. |
| have two towels, which should be rotated on | | | | |