The Virtues of Cedar

When someone walks into our home for the first time within moments we usually hear, “Oh, the wood smells so good in here.” That is because all the walls in our house are wood. Unique to the walls in the bathrooms and the clothes closets only in our house is cedar.

If you haven’t already unpacked your sweaters and other woolen winter articles of clothing, it’s that time. If you store wool jackets, skirts and sweaters in your closet, you might consider lining the walls of your clothes closets with a thin layer of cedar paneling. Cedar paneling is available in home improvement centers and well worth the effort of installing.

To protect folded sweaters stored in your closets, cut cedar shelves from cedar lumber, ¾” finished thickness. Since cedar isn’t super strong when used horizontally, you’ll need to brace the boards every three feet. If the items being stored on the shelves are heavier than sweaters, bracing should be every two feet.

Cedar coat hangers are also available in home improvement stores and should be used to hang up all wool garments. Cedar sachets can be conveniently tucked inside a chest when putting away woolen items or to add a fresh scent to your clothing and linen drawers any time of year.

©Deborah Tukua and Lowell Tukua, country author and general contractor
www.hollycreekbooks.com

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