We all know that not everything you see on social media is realistic, and this is especially true for cleaning and organization hacks. Sometimes things are too good to be true or simply don’t work, but there are nuggets of gold among the duds. Organizing expert Cara Palmer often scrolls through TikTok’s organizing tips hashtag to scope out new methods and ideas.
“While not every viral hack translates well to real-life applications, the platform has become an invaluable source of creative solutions I can test and refine for my clients,” she says.
We’ve rounded up a few of the organization hacks on the social media platform that are worth your time, according to the pros.
Meet the Expert
- Cara Palmer is an organization and decluttering expert, and the founder of the home organization publication OrganizeEveryRoom.com.
- Maria Anderson is an organizing expert at Henfield Storage with years of professional organizing experience.
The Vertical File Fold
There are many different ways to fold towels, but it’s hard to find a method that looks good and is as space-efficient as possible. Which is why this vertical file fold technique can be a lifesaver.
“It completely changed how I approach linen storage,” Palmer says.
Instead of looping them over a hook or folding them in thirds, this idea she found from TikTok user @organizedandsimplified4u involves folding them into small rectangles and placing them vertically like files in order to increase visibility and maintain order.
“My clients are consistently amazed at how this simple switch both maximizes drawer space and keeps things neater longer,” says Palmer.
Organizing expert Maria Anderson also loves this trick and has taken in beyond the bathroom cabinets and linen closets; she says it’s also worth trying in dressers and closet drawers.
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Reverse Hanger Method
The Spruce / Jacob Fox
For the fashion-forward folks, organizing your closet can be an huge pain. Worries crop up about donating or throwing away the wrong item and clothes piles can quickly accumulate on the floor.
To combat this, Palmer recommends looking at another TikTok-inspired tip that she learned from @chelseymary_. Start by turning your hangers all in the reverse direction at the beginning of a season or month.
“Then, after wearing and washing an item, return it to the closet with the hanger facing the normal direction,” she says. “After three to six months, any clothing still on backward-facing hangers becomes an obvious candidate for donation.”
She notes this trick is so beloved because it gives you a visual of what you are and aren’t wearing. This gives solid proof and helps whittle down your wardrobe.
Lazy Susans for the Fridge
Wrangling your refrigerator’s contents can be frustrating at best and defeating at worst. If you’re struggling to make heads or tails of your current fridge and its items, Anderson likes this TikTok tip she found that uses a lazy Susan for refrigerator organization.
“[This hack] transforms the usability of fridge space by making everything easily reachable with a simple spin,” she says.
A lazy Susan can be helpful to keep condiments and beverages orderly. Anderson breaks out this recommendation for any clients that are struggling with cluttered refrigerators.
“This technique has helped enhance the functionality of many kitchens and ensures that meal prep and cooking activities are streamlined,” she says.
There are plenty of sizes of lazy Susans, too, so you can accommodate for small and large fridges alike.
Mug and Water Bottle Reality Check
Os Tartarouchos / Getty Images
We all have the one cupboard that’s bursting at the seams, but we gladly look right past it. And, for many of us, that’s the cabinet that houses our reusable water bottles and mugs.
Palmer said that after seeing this to this TikTok hack from @wonderlandallys, she completely changed her approach.
“I now have clients gather all their water bottles in one spot, creating an immediate visual impact that makes decluttering decisions almost automatic,” she says. “They’re usually shocked to see how many bottles they’ve accumulated and are ready to pare down.”
Palmer says the same can be done with coffee and tea mugs. The goal is to stick with six or eight, rather than dozens, which frees up storage space and gives you a chance to use your favorite mugs and donate the ones you rarely use.
Magnetic Spice Racks
If your spice cabinet has become a chaotic cluster of expired and unknown powders and leaves, it might be time for a refresh. Using a magnetic spice rack, you no longer have to wade through bottles and guess what you might have on hand.
“It helps in optimizing your space usage by saving counter and cabinet space and makes spices easily visible and accessible,” Anderson says. “I have freed precious cabinet space for clients while keeping spices in an easily accessible location, making their kitchen space both decluttered and functional.”
