1/10

Using the Wrong Hangers

Not all hangers are created equal. A hanger that’s the wrong size, shape, or material can actually harm your clothes. In most cases, the best way to store clothes is on high-quality hangers, so do yourself a favor and invest in some that are suited to your specific wardrobe. Choose a variety of sizes; hangers that are too small encourage wrinkles, and hangers that are too big create those dreaded shoulder bubbles.

Keep delicate items on lightweight, non-slip felt hangers, outerwear on sturdy wood hangers, and suits on actual suit hangers. And while you’re at it, skip metal hangers altogether. They’re too flimsy to do most clothes justice and too slippery for many fabrics. Worst of all, they tend to distort the shape of your clothes.

2/10

Hanging Sweaters and Other Knitwear

As tempting as it may be, avoid hanging heavy knits at all costs. More likely than not, your wool or cashmere sweater—or even your jersey-knit top—will become misshapen. The risk increases the longer it stays on a hanger.

If you’re short on drawer space, don’t risk ruining your sartorial investments: instead, consider folding and storing your extra sweaters in inexpensive cotton-canvas hanging closet organizers made specifically for sweaters. But if you still insist on hanging your sweaters, try your hand at this shape-preserving hack.