Think twice before throwing out this often recycled item – it's the key to crease-free clothes in your closet

After spending time painstakingly ironing your clothes, there's nothing more infuriating than getting them off the hanger to wear and finding that they're creased once more. But, how can you stop this from happening?

The answer couldn't be more unassuming. In fact, you probably pop them in your recycling bin weekly – toilet paper tubes.

Here, laundry and closet organization experts explain how to prevent creases in the clothing items you should always hang up, with this super clever, affordable, and eco-friendly hack, and share what they recommend for a more long-term solution.

What is the toilet paper tube hack?

Angelia York, vice president at Saint Louis Closet Co., explains, 'As a custom closet designer for over 30 years, I have seen so many DIY hacks in my clients’ homes, and this is one of them.

'Clients cut their toilet paper tubes in half and place them over the bottom bar of a hanger to cushion delicate fabrics and prevent creases. It’s a clever and low-cost idea that shows how much people care about maintaining their clothing. I love the ingenuity!'

Rechelle Balanzat, owner of Juliette, agrees, adding, 'I've seen this toilet paper tube hack making the rounds – it's a creative, low-cost idea.'

So, why then is this one of the long-term clothes storage ideas our pros don't recommend when it comes to organizing clothes?

As Angelia says, 'While this method can help reduce hard creases in certain fabrics, especially on pants or scarves draped over the bottom bar of a hanger, it’s probably more of a short-term or budget-friendly solution.

'The cardboard can wear down quickly, and it may not always stay in place or provide consistent support. If you're in a pinch, it’s worth trying, but I wouldn’t recommend it as a long-term organizing strategy.'

Rechelle adds that cardboard is also easily affected by moisture which, when cleaning a clothes closet and struggling to get mildew smells out of clothes and towels, 'can actually lead to more harm than good for your garments.'

The effects of this can be negated, though, with hanging moisture absorbers, such as the DampRid Fresh Scent Hanging Moisture Absorbers available at Amazon.

What the pros recommend using instead

While it may not be as affordable a solution, both Rechelle and Angelia strongly recommend investing in the right kinds of clothing hangers if you're searching for a more long-term fix, keeping in mind that wire hangers could be ruining your clothes.

Rechelle says, 'For crease-free results, I recommend using velvet or felted hangers for lightweight and delicate items, as they help garments hold their shape and prevent slippage'. Velvet hangers are also a great way to maximize your storage space, with a slimmer profile than traditionally bulkier, wooden hangers. We recommend the bestselling Hanger Central Slim Velvet Hangers available at Walmart, which are rigid, non-slip, and strong enough to hold up to ten pounds.

'For heavier or structured pieces, wide wooden hangers or hangers with padded bars offer the best support and help maintain a crisp, clean finish without creasing,' continues Rechelle. For this, the Utopia Home Premium Wooden Hangers available at Amazon are a popular pick.

Then, for pants and skirts, hangers with padded or velvet-covered bars are much more effective, and more visually appealing, than DIY add-ons like toilet paper tubes, adds Angelia. You can also use a Pants Hanger with Clips, available at Amazon, which is an effective closet organizer to save space, but be aware that the clips may cause indentations in your garments.

'At Saint Louis Closet Co., we also encourage investing in uniform hangers that are not just for the aesthetics, but because they ensure even spacing and reduce the chance of fabric bunching or creasing,' shares Angelia.

'Paired with custom closet features like pull-out pants racks and adjustable hanging rods, the right hanger can make a world of difference in both garment care and everyday organization.'

If clothes do end up a little creased, having a handheld garment steamer, such as the Hamilton Beach Travel Steamer, from Walmart, to hand to quickly relax fibers and unwrinkle clothes without an iron.

What to shop

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Meet our experts

Rechelle Balanzat

Since starting Juliette, Rechelle has impressively become the youngest female board member of the International Laundry & Drycleaning Institute, and is regarded as one of the most influential leaders in her category. She's also a proud ambassador for Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses and the Tory Burch Foundation.

Angelia York

As vice president and custom closet designer at Saint Louis Closet Co., Angelia has dedicated over 30 years to transforming homes with beautifully organized, functional spaces. With a passion for turning clutter into order, she specializes in helping clients maximize their storage through stylish, tailor-made solutions.

Have you heard of the viral jean hanging hack? It doubles your denim storage and is perfect for tiny spaces.