How to Organize Baby Clothes – 10 Ways to Avoid the Chaos
Welcoming a new baby into the family is an exciting and life-changing event. From picking out the cutest little outfits to preparing the nursery, there are so many things to look forward to. However, once your baby is here, keeping their clothes organized can become quite the challenge. Between the constant growth spurts, the sheer number of clothes, and the never-ending laundry, it’s easy for everything to get jumbled up and chaotic.
But, with a few simple tips and tricks, you can stay on top of the chaos and keep your baby’s clothes organized and easily accessible. From using plastic containers to labeling, there are many ways to make your life easier and your baby’s clothes more manageable. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the best tips and tricks for organizing baby clothes, so you can spend less time stressing and more time enjoying your little one.
Keep a bin for clothes that are too small
As your baby grows, it will quickly outgrow its clothes. Instead of letting these clothes pile up in drawers or on hangers, keep a bin specifically for clothes that are too small. This will help you keep your baby’s wardrobe streamlined and will also make it easier to keep track of what clothes your baby has outgrown.
When choosing a bin, make sure it’s large enough to hold several items of clothing, but not so large that it takes up too much space. You can also choose a clear bin, so you can easily see what’s inside. To keep things organized, when putting those closes away, sort them by size and label them accordingly.
Tips for organizing the outgrown bin:
- Only keep clothes that are in good condition and worth saving
- Don’t let the bin get too full, so you have room for new clothes
- Keep the bin in a convenient location, so you can easily add clothes as your baby grows
Store clothes that are too big in plastic containers
Just like clothes that are too small, you’ll want to keep larger clothes organized as well. Store clothes that are too big for your baby in plastic containers, which will help protect them from dust and damage. When it’s time to move your baby into the next size, you can easily access these clothes and avoid rummaging through drawers or closets.
When choosing plastic containers, make sure they are durable and stackable. You can also choose containers with clear lids, so you can easily see what’s inside. Sort the clothes by size and label the containers accordingly.
Tips for organizing the containers:
- Store the containers in a cool, dry place to avoid mildew or musty smells
- Only keep what you will use, for everything else hand it to someone who can use it
Sort baby clothes by size and style
One of the easiest ways to keep baby clothes organized is to sort them by size and style. This will not only help you find what you need quickly, but it will also make it easier to store and rotate clothes as your baby grows.
When sorting by size, use dividers to separate different sizes in drawers or on shelves. You can also use hanging organizers with labeled sections to sort clothes in the closet. When sorting by style, separate tops from bottoms, and separate dressier clothes from play clothes.
Tips for sorting baby clothes:
- Group clothes together based on how often they are worn (daily wear, special occasion wear, etc.)
- Use dividers or labeled boxes to keep smaller items like socks, bibs, and hats organized
Use baskets and boxes for small things
Baskets and boxes are great for organizing small baby items like socks, bibs, and hats. They not only keep things organized but can also add a decorative touch to your baby’s nursery.
When choosing baskets or boxes, make sure they fit where ever you want to put them, and whatever is going inside. You can also choose ones with lids to keep everything contained and dust-free. Label the baskets or boxes accordingly to make it easier to find what you need.
File clothes in a drawer to use the space perfectly
To make the most of your baby’s dresser drawers, try filing clothes behind one another instead of stacking them. This will not only help you see all of your baby’s clothes at a glance, but it will also help you use the space in the drawer more efficiently.
To file clothes, simply fold them in thirds lengthwise and then stack them one behind the other in the drawer. You can also use drawer dividers to separate different types of clothing, such as onesies, pants, and sleepers.
Add another closet rail
As your baby’s clothes are much smaller than adult clothes, you can maximize closet space by adding another closet rail. This will give you twice the hanging space and make it easier to see and access your baby’s clothes.
When adding a second rail, make sure it’s at a height that is comfortable for you to reach. You can also use hanging organizers to store smaller items like onesies, socks, and accessories.
Tips for organizing with another closet rail:
- Only hang clothes that need to be hung, such as dresses, button-up shirts, and pants
- Store shoes and other accessories on shelves or in baskets, or use the door space for that.
- Use matching hangers for a cohesive look and to prevent clothes from slipping off
Use door storage
If you’re short on space in your baby’s room, consider using door storage. Shoe organizers with clear pockets are perfect for storing small baby items like pacifiers, socks, and hair accessories. You can also use hanging organizers with divided compartments to store larger items.
When choosing a door organizer, make sure it’s sturdy enough to hold the weight of the items you want to store. You can also choose one with adjustable pockets or compartments to customize the storage to your needs.
Tips for organizing with door storage:
- Store items that you use frequently within easy reach
- Label the pockets or compartments to make it easier to find what you need
Use washing pins to keep two-piece outfits together when hanging
If you like to hang your baby’s clothes, using washing pins can help you keep two-piece outfits together. Simply clip the top and bottom of the outfit together before hanging it on a hanger or clip the bottoms to the hanger before hanging the top. This will not only save you time when you’re getting your baby dressed but will also prevent you from losing one piece of the outfit.
Tips for organizing with washing pins:
- Only hang clothes that won’t get stretched out on a hanger and that would take up more space folded up.
- Use the same color washing pins for a cohesive look
- Hang outfits by category, to make it easier to find what you need
Use labeling
I mentioned it in the points before, but it really is important to save you time searching. Using labels is a great way to keep your baby’s clothes organized and easy to find. You can use labels to mark bins, drawers, and shelves so that everything has a designated spot. This will not only help you stay organized, but it will also make it easier for anyone helping to care for your baby to find what they need.
When labeling, use clear and concise labels that are easy to read. You can use a label maker, sticky notes, or even washi tape to label your storage containers. And if you change the contents of a container, don’t forget to update the label.
Maintain your system
Once you’ve organized your baby’s clothes, it’s important to maintain your system. This means regularly going through your baby’s clothes and getting rid of items that no longer fit or are no longer needed.
You can set aside some time each season to go through your baby’s clothes and sort them by size and season. This will help you keep track of what your baby needs and prevent you from holding onto clothes that your baby has outgrown.
Tips for maintaining your system:
- Set a reminder to go through your baby’s clothes every few months
- Get rid of clothes that your baby has outgrown or no longer need
- Make sure to update your labels and storage containers as needed