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Over-the-door organizers will instantly create more space in your closet, which makes them especially practical if your utility closet is small. Depending on your needs, you can choose between a hanging shelving unit or a cloth hanging organizer with pockets.
The latter is great for stashing away less frequently used items, like plumber’s tape or flashlights. The upside of shelves, on the other hand, is that they can be readjusted to accommodate items of different sizes. Either way, a design that hangs over the door will leave you with more floor space for larger items.
Simple storage bins will go a long way to make your utility closet presentable and convenient. They’re the perfect place to store all those microfiber towels, rags, and disposable wipes. Most stackable storage bins come in different colors, so you can easily color-code by category.
Raise your hand if this is a familiar scenario: you need to replace the batteries in the remote control, but before you can complete this simple task, you need to spend an hour searching for the right kind of battery in different drawers. Don’t worry, scattered batteries are a problem in many homes.
To keep your batteries organized and accessible, keep them in small plastic drawers that are clearly labeled. Alternatively, you can invest in a designated battery organizer. That way, you can easily see what size you have in stock. Some battery organizers have a built-in tester so you don’t have to second guess which ones are fresh and which are exhausted.
Related: No More Clutter: Garage Organization DIY Tips
It’s time to go through all those charger cords you have lying around in your utility closet and toss the ones that you cannot pair with any working small appliance. To prevent the cords that you keep from getting tangled up, wrap a length of hook and loop tape around each cord to keep them tidy. Another good tip is to label them.
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Long-handled tools like mops and brooms have a messy habit of falling over in the closet. There is a simple solution to this problem. Some simple S-hooks over the closet rod can be used to hang the brooms, mops, and long-handled dusters. Alternatively, you could buy a wall-mounted broom holder with spring-loaded grips (like the one in the image above).
Getting these items off the floor is not only a big space saver, but it will also help keep the tools in good shape. Broom bristles, for example, can be damaged when left sitting on the floor, whereas the handles leaning against the wall can scratch the paint off the wall.
Prepare a grab-and-go case or basket with the multi-purpose cleaning essentials you use on a daily or weekly basis. This will make your everyday cleaning jobs a whole lot easier: you simply reach for the caddy and put it back when you finish, no need to fumble through the closet.
We recommend including the basics, but not weighing your caddy down with cleaning supplies that you use less often. If you’re a thorough cleaner or have a large home, you can make several such caddies for different tasks. For example, you can have one for the bathroom, one for polishing wood, etc. Consider tossing in an old toothbrush for the tight spots and maybe a few Q-tips too. Make sure to keep the kit in the most accessible spot in the closet.
The key to an organized closet is labeling. It will not only make finding things easier, but it will also help you return things to their correct location. Therefore, you will be able to maintain the order for longer. Label your bins, baskets, caddies, and even the edge of the shelf. That way, you can see what is missing and needs to be restocked at a glance.
Related: 6 Simple and Practical Tips To Organize Your Kitchen
Appliance manuals tend to get lost in messy piles or even get thrown out without a second thought. But you don’t know when these manuals might come in handy, so don’t underestimate them. Organize them in a cascading file with pockets you can categorize as appliances, cameras, computers, etc. For any item with an extended warranty, staple the sales receipt to the manuals so you can easily contact the company if you need service.
To make things even more efficient, you can attach the file to the utility closet door. That way, any time you need to troubleshoot an issue, you’ll have the right booklet at your fingertips.
Many of us have accumulated quite a few vacuum cleaner attachments over the years. Likely, some of them are not relevant anymore. Go through your collection and only keep the ones that belong to the vacuum cleaner you currently own. The rest can be tossed out, recycled, or donated. Store the remaining accessories in a designated box or basket.
Clear boxes with secure latch lids are the best option for storing breakable items like light bulbs. Different lighting needs usually require different types of bulbs. Different watts for different lamps, outdoor spotlight, and decorator lamps are just a few examples. Appliances like the refrigerator, microwave, and oven have their own lighting bulbs too.
Store and label your bulbs in separate boxes. It will protect them from breaking, and you will be able to easily find just the one you need.
If you have space, you can hang a dry-erase calendar or board in your utility closet. It’s a great way to keep track of trash and recycling pick-up days along with routine and seasonal cleaning tasks. Plus, it could be used to keep the names and numbers of maintenance and repair companies you use.
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