What’s the Best Way to Store Extra Clothing Hangers When They’re Not in Use?

If you’ve ever cleaned your wardrobe and ended up with a mountain of extra hangers, you’re not alone. Many households accumulate spare clothing hangers over time — from online shopping deliveries, dry cleaning returns, bulk purchases, or seasonal wardrobe rotations.

The problem isn’t having extra hangers. The problem is what happens next: they get thrown into a closet corner, tangled into a messy pile, or jammed into a drawer where they take up valuable space and become frustrating to reuse.

Extra hangers can quickly create clutter and reduce wardrobe efficiency. If your wardrobe feels messy even after you tidy it, spare hangers might be the hidden cause.

This guide will show you the best ways to store unused clothing hangers neatly, safely, and in a way that makes them easy to access when you need them. You’ll also learn how to bundle hangers properly, store them vertically, prevent tangles, and avoid damage to your wardrobe space.

---

Why Proper Hanger Storage Matters

Before we get into storage methods, it’s important to understand why hanger organisation makes a bigger difference than most people think.

Extra clothing hangers create three common problems:

1. They waste space quickly

Even though hangers are lightweight, they’re awkwardly shaped and hard to stack neatly unless you store them correctly. A messy pile can occupy far more space than necessary.

2. They create clutter and make wardrobes feel messy

Unused hangers tend to migrate into piles, corners, drawers, or floors. This creates visual clutter, making your wardrobe feel disorganised even if your clothes are sorted.

3. Tangled hangers slow you down

If you’ve ever tried to separate 20 tangled hangers, you know how frustrating it is. Tangled hangers waste time and often cause bending or snapping, especially for cheaper ones.

The right storage system helps you:

• save space

• keep wardrobes tidy

• make hangers easy to find

• prevent damage or tangling

• organise by hanger type for easier use

---

Step 1: Sort Your Clothing Hangers by Type Before Storing

The most important hanger storage rule is this:

Do not store mixed hanger types together.

When you throw different hangers into one pile, they tangle easily. The shape mismatch creates hooks that interlock, making it difficult to separate them later.

Before storing any spare clothing hangers, sort them into groups like:

• velvet hangers

• wooden hangers

• plastic hangers

• metal hangers

• clip hangers

• children’s hangers specialty hangers (suit hangers, skirt hangers, etc.)

Sorting first makes every storage method easier and keeps hangers ready to use later.

---

Step 2: Bundle Similar Clothing Hangers Together (Best Practice)

Bundling is the simplest and most effective way to store extra hangers.

It prevents tangling, keeps hangers compact, and makes them easy to grab in bulk.

Why bundling works so well

Bundling prevents:

• hook tangling

• hanger sliding

• messy piles

• wasted space

It also helps you know exactly how many hangers you have, which prevents overbuying.

Best bundling methods

Here are the most practical ways to bundle clothing hangers:

Option A: Use rubber bands (quickest method)

• Stack 10–15 hangers together
  
  

• Wrap a thick rubber band around the hanger necks

• Add a second rubber band around the bottom bars (optional for stability)

This method works best for plastic, velvet, and metal hangers.

Option B: Use zip ties (strong and long-term)

• Gather 15–20 hangers

• Secure them at the hook area with one zip tie

• Use a second zip tie for the bottom if needed

This method is best for long-term storage because it won’t snap like rubber bands.

Option C: Use Velcro straps (reusable and tidy)

Velcro straps are ideal if you frequently store and reuse spare clothing hangers. They look neat and allow repeated access without cutting or tearing.

---

Step 3: Store Clothing Hangers Vertically (Most Space Efficient)

Storing hangers vertically is one of the best ways to reduce clutter in wardrobes, storage cupboards, or laundry rooms.

Vertical storage means:

• hangers take up less surface area

• bundles stay tidy

• hangers don’t collapse into piles

• you can see and grab what you need quickly

Where vertical storage works best

• behind wardrobe doors

• inside laundry cabinets

• along closet side walls

• inside deep storage cupboards

• in a small storage corner

Best vertical hanger storage options

Option A: Hang bundles on a single hook

Place bundled clothing hangers onto:

• a wall hook

• a command hook (renter-friendly)

• a wardrobe side hook

This keeps bundles off the floor and instantly accessible.

Option B: Use an over-door organiser hook

A simple over-door hook is excellent for storing bundles of hangers inside wardrobe doors.

Benefits:

• no drilling

• hidden storage

• quick access

• great for renters

Option C: Store bundles on a hanging rail

If your wardrobe has spare side space, hang bundles of hangers on the end of the wardrobe rail.

To avoid clutter, keep them grouped and bundled.

---

Step 4: Store Extra Clothing Hangers in a Dedicated Container

If you prefer hangers stored out of sight, a container solution is ideal.

The key is choosing a container that prevents tangling and keeps hangers organised.

Best container types for hanger storage

1. Tall storage bin

A tall storage bin allows you to store clothing hangers upright instead of throwing them in a heap.

Look for:

• narrow width

• stable base

• tall height

2. Storage box with dividers

Use a box with internal dividers to separate:

• velvet hangers

• plastic hangers

• clip hangers

This prevents tangling and keeps everything ready.

3. Large fabric basket

Fabric baskets work well if:

• hangers are bundled

• basket is kept upright

• it’s stored in a dry area

Avoid soft baskets for unbundled hangers, as they still tangle.

---

Step 5: Avoid These Common Mistakes (They Create Clutter Fast)

Even if you buy the best hangers, storage mistakes can ruin wardrobe organisation quickly.

Mistake 1: Tossing hangers into piles

Loose piles cause:

• tangles

• bending

• broken hooks

• time wasted untangling

Mistake 2: Mixing hanger types

Mixed hangers tangle faster and create uneven piles.

Mistake 3: Storing hangers flat in drawers

Hangers are bulky and waste drawer space that should be used for clothing.

Mistake 4: Leaving spare hangers on wardrobe rails

This creates a cluttered look and makes it harder to slide clothes.

Always keep unused clothing hangers stored separately and neatly.

---

Step 6: Best Storage Options by Home Type

Different households need different systems. Here’s the best storage method depending on your home setup.

Small apartments or studios

Best method:

• bundle hangers

• hang bundles behind the wardrobe door

• use over-door hooks

This uses “dead space” and keeps floors clear.

Family homes with multiple wardrobes

Best method:

• store hangers by category

• use containers in laundry or linen cupboard

• label each type for easy access

Renters

Best method:

• command hooks behind wardrobe doors

• over-door hooks

• fabric storage bins

No drilling required.

Retail or stockroom storage

Best method:

• bulk bundling with zip ties

• tall bins by hanger type

• shelving with labelled containers

Makes hanger restocking easy and efficient.

---

Step 7: Store Clothing Hangers According to Season

Most people accumulate hangers during seasonal wardrobe changes.

For example:

• summer dresses are removed and stored

• winter coats are added

• extra hangers appear

A seasonal hanger system prevents clutter.

Seasonal hanger storage approach

• Keep 15–20 spare hangers in easy access

• Store bulk excess hangers in a labelled container

• Rotate hanger types as clothing changes (e.g., coat hangers for winter)

This ensures the right hangers are available when needed.

---

Step 8: How Many Spare Clothing Hangers Should You Keep?

Keeping some spares is smart, but too many creates clutter.

A practical guide

• Small household: 10–20 spare hangers

• Family home: 20–40 spare hangers

• Large wardrobe / fashion household: 40–60 spare hangers

• Retail / commercial: depends on garment volume

If you have hundreds of spares, you may be collecting hangers unnecessarily.

Donate or recycle excess hangers rather than storing them endlessly.

---

Step 9: How to Reduce Extra Hanger Build-Up Over Time

To avoid hanger clutter long-term, build smarter habits.

Practical prevention tips

• Choose one hanger type for most clothing

• Donate mismatched hangers as you upgrade

• Avoid collecting cheap hangers from shops

• Keep a spare hanger limit (example: no more than 40)

• Store by type so you can see what you own

When you treat clothing hangers as part of your organisation system (not random objects), clutter disappears.

---

Step 10: The Best Hanger Storage System (Simple Formula)

If you want a simple strategy that works for almost everyone, use this system:

The “Bundle + Vertical + Container” system

1. Sort by hanger type

2. Bundle in groups of 10–15

3. Store vertically behind wardrobe doors (easy access)

4. Store overflow in a tall container (out of sight)

5. Keep 15–20 hangers available for daily use

This system keeps your spare clothing hangers tidy, accessible, and never tangled.