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Home Organization Paper/Filing Systems  • Time Management
ARTICLE

Joan Crawford: An Organizer in Diva’s Clothing?
A Lesson in ‘Hanger' Management


 
Film legend Joan Crawford is known for her diva-like behavior and less-than-perfect parenting skills. But she is probably best remembered for a much-quoted line from the movie ‘Mommie Dearest.’  

"NO WIRE HANGERS…EVER!"

I can’t say that I agree with much of what Joan did in her lifetime but I must give credit where credit is due. She had the right idea when it came to wire hangers…

In my years of organizing closets, I’ve had the opportunity to ask my clients why they choose to use wire hangers. They say,

"They’re easy. My dry cleaner hands them right over to me."

"I don’t know what other types of hangers to buy."


"They take up so little room, I can stuff more clothes in my closet that way."

Although wire hangers are easily accessible and take up little space in your closet, they are not the best hanger to use for a few reasons:

They can ruin clothing. I have seen wire hangers leave indentations across corduroy pants and create shoulder bumps in pricey cashmere sweaters.

They easily bunch up and cross over one another on a closet rod. This can make retrieving clothes a frustrating and strenuous task.

They are not strong enough to withstand the weight of heavy items of clothing.

If you would like your clothing to look good and last for more than a few seasons, it would be wise to make an investment in a good set of hangers. You may ask, "What are the qualities of a ‘good’ hanger?"

Some qualities of a ‘good’ hanger are…

• It is sturdy enough to hold the clothes that are hanging on it.
• It is wide enough to span across shoulder seams without leaving shoulder bumps in the fabric.
• It helps to make your closet aesthetically pleasing to the eye

But the stores sell so many different types of hangers—which type of hanger should you purchase? The chart below will help you to determine which hangers are best for your needs.

Some hanger options other than wire:

 Hanger 
Usage
Reason for Use 
Cost
Wood
best for coats and suits
very sturdy
$$$
Crystal w/metal hook
tops, skirts, suits
retains a garment’s
shape well

$$
Fabric /Padded
delicates
aesthetics
$$$
Plastic tubular
tops
basic and least expensive
$
Specialty hangers
inflatable
adjustable
good for travel
expand for plus size
$$$

           
Now, don’t think you are only allowed to pick one type of hanger. There are hangers that are better for certain pieces of clothing than others.

Some ideas are:

• Using all wooden hangers in your coat closet and all plastic in your
clothing closet.
• Using colored plastic hangers to differentiate categories such as white = work out clothes, blue = M-F work clothing, and pink = weekend wear.
• Using crystal hangers for tops and tiered hangers for skirts and pants (can hold 3-5 pair of pants or skirts)

So you’ve looked at the above chart and thought about trying out some new hangers. But what will you do with all of the wire hangers you’ve accumulated? Throw them away? The best home for them is back in the hands of your local dry cleaner. Giving them back allows your dry cleaner to keep their costs down. If they don’t need to buy hangers it is less likely that they will raise the price of dry cleaning clothes. When I return wire hangers to my dry cleaner, I get a big smile and an even bigger thank you.

Next time you bring clothes home from the dry cleaner, put them on a new hanger and think of Joan…




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Article by Stacey Agin Murray, professional organizer and owner of Organized Artistry, LLC. Visit http://www.organizedartistry.com for your FREE e-list of 'Top Ten Tips for Organized Living.'

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