How To Store Clothes Hangers (When Not In Use)

Organizing a closet (and keeping it that way) is about making the small tasks easier. Organizing hangers is one of those little details that can reduce effort and save closet space.

One of my favorite closet organizers is a hanger organizer. Keep a hanger hamper in the closet so they are immediately stowed away after a piece of clothing is pulled off. 

Then, when it’s time to do laundry, you can easily carry the hangers to wherever you like to fold. They are ready to go, and no one has to go around collecting empty hangers. 

The Best Hanger Organizers

Keep clothes hangers organized with the right system for the type of hanger you use. 

With so many different types of hangers and organizers, there are pros and cons to each. Here are a few things to consider:

SHOP (affiliate links): 1– Extendable Bar | 2– Clothes Hanger Storage Bag | 3- Hanger Storage Racks | 4- Wooden Wall Organizer

1- Extendable Hanger Bar

This could also be a small swivel hook, a hanging rack, a clothes rack, or even a towel rack.

PROS: Best used in a laundry room, it provides a spot to hang a garment to dry and stores several hangers.

CONS: Requires extra space or wall space.

2- Hanger Storage Bag

PROS: You can stow any size, shape, or type of hanger. 

CONS: It collects hair and dust in the bottom. If you store multiple types of hangers in the same bag, you have to rummage to find what you need.

3- Hanger Rack

PROS: This plastic (or sometimes metal) hanger stacker makes it easy to store hangers and grab-and-go.
CONS: A triangular-shaped hanger cab be hung on a hanger storage rack, however, a pant hanger can’t. Finally, this is not the right choice if style is important to you.

4- Wall Hanger Holders

PROS: These hanger storage solutions look stylish in laundry rooms and on closet walls.

CONS: It only holds a limited number of hangers, and can’t be carried around.

Create An Efficient Storage System

Get one hanger organizer for each type of hanger.

I have a hanger rack for my shirt hangers (velvet hangers) stowed right under my shirts. Another storage rack for my husband’s wooden hangers is stored under his shirts for easy access. Finally, I have a hanger storage bag to collect the clip hangers, the pants hangers, and any spare hangers.

Sometimes A Simple Hook Does The Trick

If there isn’t space for an organizer, a hook on the back of the closet door will do the trick!

You won’t be able to grab-and-go on laundry day like you would with a hanger organizer. But it allows for more hanging space and maintains better closet organization than no system.

Get Rid of Excess Hangers & Keep Only What Is Needed

Try not to have a large number of unused hangers and keep only a few extra hangers of each type.

When you have a small closet you have to find ways to reserve available space for clothing. 

You should throw away most unwanted hangers (like those that come from clothing stores and dry cleaners). However, in the case of good-quality plastic clothes hangers, you can donate them to thrift stores, which often need hangers to replace broken ones. 

If you are going to store hangers beyond what is needed, choose the best ones and keep those in good shape. Use an organizer with a zippered lid, and store it in the laundry room or an overflow closet. 

Don’t Just Buy The Right Hanger Hampers…Buy The Right Hangers!

If storage space is at a premium, narrow velvet hangers are the way to go. They allow you to fit more in your closet and in your hanger management systems of choice.

Wooden hangers or metal hangers are preferable over plastic hangers if your family is rough on things and you find they are always breaking.

Throw away old wire hangers: they aren’t worth keeping and they bend easily.

This might be the first step to save space and maintain a well-organized closet!

Looking for other great storage solution ideas? Read 30+ Closet Organization Hacks (For Every Closet Type)!