Organize with Magnetic Hooks, Hanging Magnetic Organizer, and Reversible Clothes Hangers

There are several organizational tools that have hit the market over the last couple of years that make organization easier. One of these is magnetic hooks.

Magnetic hooks solve the problem of where to put dish towels and hand towels now that appliances no longer have handles that facilitate hanging towels.

So, where to put those towels? In our kitchen the hand towel was hung over a kitchen chair by the sink. The towel for drying dishes was placed on the counter.

This never worked well as our cats loved to pull the hand towel off the chair. Another problem with this arrangement--my uncooperative spouse. Whenever he dried dishes he grabbed the hand towel to dry the dishes. No matter that I told him umpteen times, "that's the hand towel." He just couldn't seem to remember which towel was used only for drying dishes and which was used only for drying hands.

Finally, a solution presented itself. Rubbermaid made a strip of plastic with four hooks and a magnetic strip on the back. After purchasing the item and hanging it on the side of the refrigerator, dish washing rag and towels were placed on the hooks. Labels were then placed above the plastic strip: "Dish Washing Rag, Dish Drying Towel, Hand Drying Towel." No more aggravation from the cats or my spouse--at least with dish towels..

Recently, one of the four hooks on this item broke off. Searching through Nextag for a replacement, turned up something even better. Single magnetic hooks. Nextag listed several retailers selling magnetic hooks including some very cute colored ones from the Container Store--"Mini Spot-On!™ Magnetic Hooks." These can be used on any steel surface - refrigerator, file cabinet or locker - to hold keys, kitchen utensils and towels, or other small items. They are available in colored powder-coated steel or stainless steel with a super-strong magnetic backing and are infinitely reusable and repositionable.

Another magnetic item found that helps with organization is a Hanging Magnetic Organizer. The Hanging Magnetic Organizer features a key hook, space for letters, bills, pens, cell phones and more! Perfect for your fridge, filing cabinet, locker or other metal surfaces. Also includes two holes for hanging with nails or tacks. Brand: Bliss is sold at Uncommon Goods for $18.

Speaking of keeping items off the floor, check out the new two-way/reversible/flexible hangers sold at Dollar Tree. This hanger can be bent so that it tilts up or down eliminating the need to pin clothes that tend to slip off the hanger to keep them from falling off. Or, if you prefer buying online, these are sold at stacksandstacks.com as Bumps-Be-Gone Hangers. These padded clothing hangers are made from a unique foam material that will not absorb water and prevents garments from slipping. The adjustable arms of these clothes hangers can be shaped to fit small and large shirts alike, while the soft, rounded design prevents those unsightly "shoulder bumps". The swivel hook means you can hang them just about anywhere! These padded hangers will help you free up valuable laundry room space by eliminating the need for bulky drying racks, and their flexibility makes them very easy to pack for travel. Comes in a set of six in blue for $11.00

What will they think of next?