How do you make clothes stay on hangers?

Both velvet hangers and removable pads help garments stay in place, so make sure to select the right hanger for your specific wardrobe. "Evaluate if the item even needs to be on a hanger in the first place," Stoller says. Items that keep slipping off a hanger, like a nightgown or a tank top, might be better off folded in a drawer or placed on a hook.

How do you keep clothes from stretching on hangers?

Make sure you’re hanging the right things—and not hanging something that isn’t suited to a hanger. Avoid hanging knitwear, T-shirts, jeans, sweats, lingerie, and special dresses (think: beaded). Sweaters are also best folded, although you may find success with special hangers designed for sweaters.

How do you clean hangers?

The cleaning process for the hanger will depend somewhat on what it’s made from. For plastic, metal, and wooden hangers, wiping it down with a damp rag should do the trick. If velvet hangers are dusty, try vacuuming them. A lint roller—or a piece of sticky tape—can also help remove lint, dust, and bits of grime.

The 11 Best Clothes Hangers of 2023

Clothing hangers prevent wrinkles, keep clothes in good condition, and maintain order in your closet. The right hanger for you depends on your particular space and the type of clothes you're hanging, but quality should always be at the forefront of your decision-making. "Don't skimp here as you usually buy hangers once in your lifetime—they never need to be replaced," says Jane Stoller, founder of Organized Jane and author of Decluttering for Dummies. To help you invest in the right hangers, we researched the best ones available, evaluating quality, function, and versatility.

Below, find our recommended hangers for every closet and clothing type.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

AmazonBasics Slim, Velvet, Non-Slip Clothes Suit Hangers at Amazon

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Best Budget:

IKEA Spruttig at Amazon

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Best Plastic:

Sharpty Plastic Clothing Notched Hangers at Amazon

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Best Wooden :

Container Store Basic Walnut Wooden Hangers at The Container Store

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Best Heavy-Duty:

Proman Products Natural Wood Kascade Hanger at Amazon

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Best Space-Saving:

MAWA European Space-Saving Hangers at Amazon

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Best Eco-Friendly:

Neat Method Everyday Hangers at Food52

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Best for Pants:

The Container Store Metal Pant Hangers at The Container Store

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Best for Suits:

ZOBER Wooden Suit Hangers at Amazon

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Best for Baby Clothes:

GoodtoU Baby Hangers at Amazon

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In This Article

Our Picks
What to Look For
Standout Features
FAQ
Why Trust The Spruce

4.8

Amazon

View On Amazon

What We Like

Space-saving profile
Holds up to 10 pounds
Velvet prevents slipping

What We Don't Like

May snap with extended use
May release black dust

Almost any closet can benefit from velvet hangers. Seriously, show us a closet, and we'll show you how to elevate it with velvet hangers. These Amazon Basics Slim Velvet Nonslip Hangers are the go-to for professional and aspiring organizers alike. This set comes with a generous pack of 30 hangers, and we think that's a great value since you'll likely need to order a few sets.

“Velvet hangers are amazing. They are one of the best ways to save space, and they look nice," says Stoller. These Amazon Basics velvet hangers look and function just like pricier versions, so you can get a consistent look in your closet without spending hundreds of dollars.

The slim profile means you can fit more hangers (and more clothes) into your closet without making it look cramped. The black color is chic, although some reviewers reported a little black fuzz sticking to their clothes. If black isn't your color, there are 11 other colors to choose from. And these hangers are sturdy: According to the manufacturer, each one will hold up to 10 pounds, so you can use them for both dainty slip dresses and winter coats.

If you're looking for a chic, nonslip hanger that will help you make the most of your closet space, this is it.

Price at time of publish: $19

Amount: 30 | Dimensions: 9.2 x 0.2 x 17.4 inches | Material: Plastic | Color: Multiple | Weight Capacity: 10 pounds

What Our Editors Say

“When I was a professional organizer in New York City, we always switched clients' mismatched hangers to slim black velvet ones before we did anything else. It immediately made their closet look more organized. Plus, you can fit more clothing in the space (so you don't have to purge that dress you wore to your brother's wedding three years ago...unless you want to)."—Erin Johnson, Commerce Editor

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Ikea

What We Like

Comes in a pack of 10
Space-saving
Great for kids

What We Don't Like

Not suitable for larger or heavier clothing
Inconsistent pricing from retailers

These IKEA Spruttig hangers are a budget-friendly option that would be excellent for your first apartment or if you're looking to buy in bulk. They come in a 10-pack and only cost around $2 when you purchase them from the IKEA website. Like our top overall pick, they have a slim profile. They also work well with pants, shirts, and skirts.

While these hangers can be used for adult closets, hall closets, and more, they’re also an excellent option for kids' clothing. If you're looking for a hanger that can withstand a little wear-and-tear from indecisive children and teens, this is a great option.

Price at time of publish: $12

Amount: 10 | Dimensions: 7.5 x 1.5 x 15.25 inches | Material: Polypropylene | Color: Black | Weight Capacity: Unknown

Sharpty Plastic Clothing Notched Hangers

Amazon

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What We Like

Has notches for straps or accessories
Slim design
Reliable

What We Don't Like

May not perform well holding heavier items, such as outerwear

This set of 20 sturdy but slim plastic hangers is sure to be a staple in your closet if you're looking for versatile plastic hangers. A matched set of hangers is always a good idea since it’ll give your closet a consistent appearance, and these reliable hangers can make that happen. These durable hangers are also backed with a one-year warranty.

Two indentations in each hanger make them ideal for clothes with straps or hanger loops (these notches are also helpful for accessories like belts). The hangers are best suited for lightweight clothes, such as dresses and shirts.

Price at time of publish: $15

Amount: 20 | Dimensions: 16 x 9.25 inches | Material: Plastic | Color: Black or White | Weight Capacity: Unknown

Container Store

View On The Container Store

What We Like

Available in several designs
High quality
Can hold heavy items

What We Don't Like

Take up more space than other hangers
Expensive

Thin velvet or plastic hangers have a space-saving profile, but they can sometimes struggle to hold heavier items or support the shoulders of seamed garments like blazers and suits.

Enter wooden hangers: These particular ones are available in three varieties, so you can choose the right option for you. These wooden hangers are made for shirts, so you can hang your button-down shirts with confidence. For blouses, which sometimes have hanger straps, there are blouse hangers, which come with a notch for those small straps as well as nonslip rubber grips to keep the fabric in place. Finally, these wooden hangers are also available with ribbed bars to hold pants.

Price at time of publish: $8

Amount: 6 | Dimensions: 9. 5 x 0.5 x 17.5 inches | Material: Wood and chrome | Color: Walnut finished wood | Weight Capacity: Unknown

Proman Products KSA9030 Natural Wood Kascade Hanger

Amazon

View On Amazon

What We Like

Holds a lot of weight
Includes hook
Well-designed

What We Don't Like

Notches for straps are a bit rough, which could damage delicate straps
Comes with 50 hangers

Storing your winter wear can be a challenge since many items are heavy and bulky. The weight can cause more delicate metal or velvet hangers to snap or buckle. You need a sturdier option for outerwear (and for heavy-weight suit jackets, too). If this sounds like your coat closet, you need the Proman Products wooden hanger, which can hold its own against ski jackets, suits, and more.

On top of that, a handy cascade hook in the front means that you can fit more items in your closet since you can use the hook to hang a hanger from another hanger. This is also great for travel since you can bundle together your entire outfit—pants, jacket, shirt, outerwear, and so on into one unit.

Right now, these hangers are sold in a set of 50, which is great if you're redoing your entire closet but not so great if you are only looking to buy a handful.

Price at time of publish: $95

Amount: 50 | Dimensions: 9.0 x 0.5 x 17 inches | Material: Wood, Metal | Color: Natural | Weight Capacity: Unknown

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Food52

What We Like

Curved shape prevents shoulder bumps
Unique shapes
Slim fit

What We Don't Like

Hook does not rotate on all hanger options

Slim velvet hangers are a good option if you’re looking to save space, but they’re not the only option: These MAWA hangers are slim, but they're made from steel. Unlike flimsy wire hangers from the dry cleaners, these are designed to hold a lot of weight. Plus, they’re curved so that you won’t have odd hanger bumps and distortions on the shoulders of shirts, cardigans, and sweaters.

These elegant hangers have a slim profile so that you can fit tons of clothes in your closet. The hangers come with a nonslip coating to keep clothes from falling off. They’re available in several design options—standard no-slip options, coat hangers, pant hangers, and shirt hangers.

Price at time of publish: $20

Amount: 4-10 | Dimensions: Varies | Material: Steel | Color: Multiple | Weight Capacity: 8 pounds

The 7 Best Clothing Racks of 2023

Food 52

View On Food52 View On Neatmethod.com

What We Like

Slim fit design
Holds heavier items
Rubberized grip

What We Don't Like

High price point
Clips sold separately

These hangers are mostly made of recycled acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), which means they help keep plastic out of landfills. You can feel good about this sustainable choice, and they’re also well designed for any closet. The hangers are thin, so more will fit in your closet, but still strong enough to hold heavier items, such as sweaters.

A rubberized grip keeps items in place, so they don’t slide off. These Neat Method hangers are available in both a kid-friendly size (for ages 7 and under) as well as an adult size. Matching clips are sold separately and can be used to hold shorts, skirts, and pants.

Price at time of publish: $12

Amount: 25 | Dimensions: 8.25 x 0.25 x 17.5 inches | Material: Recycled ABS, rubber paint, iron | Color: Multiple | Weight Capacity: Unknown

The Container Store

View On The Container Store

What We Like

Open-ended for easy hanging
Non slip bar
Slim design

What We Don't Like

Hook on hanger is small
Only three hangers per package

Fitting pants on hangers can be a bit of a hassle. Not only is it hard to get them on the hanger in the first place, but often, pants slide right off once they’re added. If you find yourself struggling with the pants in your closet, try The Container Store Chrome Metal Pant Hangers. They are specifically made to solve this problem. An open end makes it easy to slip pants on the hanger, while a nonslip coating ensures that pants don’t slide off. The design is sturdy yet lightweight.

The package only comes with a set of three, so you'll likely need to buy multiple sets, but it's worth it if you're constantly picking up pants from the bottom of your closet.

Price at time of publish: $8.49

Amount: 3 | Dimensions: 6.13 x 13.06 inches | Material: Chrome-plated steel and vinyl | Color: Black and Steel | Weight Capacity: Unknown

Amazon

View On Amazon

What We Like

Sturdy
Nonslip rounded pants bar
Shoulder notches
Rotating hanger hook

What We Don't Like

Varnish may have an odor
Wooden hangers take up more space

Unlike shirts and dresses, suits need a fair amount of support to maintain their structure and stay in place. That makes sturdy, larger wooden hangers ideal for the task. These ZOBER Wooden Suit Hangers come in a set of 20, and they're made from varnished wood so they won’t catch on threads or fabric. The hook rotates, so it's easy to hang an outfit over a door as you’re getting ready.

The shoulder line is contoured and has notches that’ll come in handy if you’re hanging a dress or other item with straps. The bar is covered in vinyl, so pants will stay put, and it's rounded to prevent creases.

Price at time of publish: $28

Amount: 20 | Dimensions: 8.88 x 17.25 inches | Material: Wood | Color: Light-colored wood | Weight Capacity: Unknown

The 14 Best Closet Organizers of 2023

Amazon

View On Amazon

What We Like

Hook is still standard size
Variety of colors

What We Don't Like

As kids get older, clothes may become too big for the hangers

Few things can make your hands feel more oversized and clumsy than trying to get teensy-tiny baby and toddler clothes on hangers. These plastic hangers for kids’ clothes make the task easier because they’re actually the right size for the job at hand.

Each set of 100 hangers includes six fun colors. They're made from plastic and sized to fit a standard closet rod. While they’re thin, they’re also sturdy enough to hold larger and heavier items (think: coats). A nonslip notch on each side of the hangers helps keep straps in place and prevent clothes from slipping off.

Price at time of publish: $30

Amount: 100 | Dimensions: 6 x 10.5 inches | Material: Polypropylene (PP) Plastic | Color: Multiple | Weight Capacity: Unknown

Amazon

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What We Like

Protects delicate clothing
Nonslip design

What We Don't Like

Takes up a lot of space
Limited color options

Precious items made from fragile or thin fabrics can snag or easily get distorted if they've been living on the wrong hanger. Many hangers can also be hard on thin straps, stretching them out. These Whitmor hangers are padded and have a satin covering to help avoid these issues. Ruching on the hanger helps prevent clothes and straps from slipping off the silky fabric lining the hanger.

With the one-two combo of padding and silky fabric, you’ll be able to avoid bumps and creases on clothing. A swiveling hook on the hanger makes putting away clothing easy. Note that since they are padded, they will take up a bit more space in your closet.

Price at time of publish: $12

Amount: 8 | Dimensions: 7 x 15.5 x 1.2 inches | Material: Padding, satin, metal | Color: Multiple | Weight Capacity: Unknown

The 12 Best Closet Kits of 2023

Final Verdict

These Amazon Basics Slim Velvet Nonslip Hangers are our favorite because they will work well in most closets. They don’t take up a lot of space but are sturdy enough to hold heavier items. If you’re looking for a very budget-friendly option, it’s no surprise that Ikea offers a great deal, with the IKEA Spruttig set of 10 hangers for just a few bucks.

Material

Clothes hangers are made from a variety of materials, including wood, plastic, and metal. Some materials are more slippery than others and may not be the best choice for silky shirts or lightweight tops. For these items, look for nonslip options such as velvet hangers. Other, sturdier materials like wood or heavy-duty plastic hold up better with heavyweight items like winter sweaters or wool coats. For the most streamlined look in your closet, opt for hangers of the same material for all of your clothing.

Price

If you're looking to swap out all of your hangers for a consistent look in your closet, the cost can add up very quickly. If this is the case, look for items you can buy in bulk. Some hanger sets (like wooden suit hangers) are an investment and some (like budget plastic options) may be a temporary solution. Keep in mind that budget hangers may not provide the same level of grip as pricier options.

Space

If you're always pushing back hangers to create more closet space, you should seek out slim profile hangers or hangers that allow you to hang multiple garments on one. Slim hangers are flat and thin, so you can fit more of them into your closet than standard plastic hangers. Other hangers have tiers of hanging space, which is perfect for multiples of the same item, like skirts or pants.

Flocking

Flocked hangers are covered with a soft material, often velvet, but they have a hard interior. They may also have padding. This makes for a sturdy hanger that is still suitable for delicate items. “Buying a hanger that is covered in soft material is an amazing way to preserve clothes,” says Stoller. But keep in mind this often ups the cost of a hanger, too.

Nonslip Pads

Thin straps and slippery fabrics can slide right off of hangers, and there's nothing more frustrating than constantly having to rehang blouses and dresses that have fallen to the bottom of your closet floor. Nonslip pads on a hanger's curve help keep clothing in place, so even if the hanger is made out of a slippery substance like plastic, these nonslip strips hold your item in place.

Moveable Hook

Many hangers have a fixed hook, and that’s often okay. But if you find you want to hang a garment from the side of the door or off a towel rack in the bathroom, a hook that moves can be very handy.

FAQ

How do you make clothes stay on hangers?

Both velvet hangers and removable pads help garments stay in place, so make sure to select the right hanger for your specific wardrobe. "Evaluate if the item even needs to be on a hanger in the first place," Stoller says. Items that keep slipping off a hanger, like a nightgown or a tank top, might be better off folded in a drawer or placed on a hook.
How do you keep clothes from stretching on hangers?

Make sure you’re hanging the right things—and not hanging something that isn’t suited to a hanger. Avoid hanging knitwear, T-shirts, jeans, sweats, lingerie, and special dresses (think: beaded). Sweaters are also best folded, although you may find success with special hangers designed for sweaters.
How do you clean hangers?

The cleaning process for the hanger will depend somewhat on what it’s made from. For plastic, metal, and wooden hangers, wiping it down with a damp rag should do the trick. If velvet hangers are dusty, try vacuuming them. A lint roller—or a piece of sticky tape—can also help remove lint, dust, and bits of grime.

Madeleine Burry is a freelance writer specializing in health, wellness, and home commerce. She has been writing for The Spruce since 2019. For this article on hangers, she interviewed Jane Stoller, founder of Organized Jane and author of Decluttering for Dummies, for insight. She also researched the various types of hangers available and carefully read through online reviews and user feedback to pin down each product’s successful features and potential drawbacks. As an apartment dweller, she’s particularly attuned to the needs of people living in small spaces (with small closets), so she knows the importance of maximizing closet space.