Dear Karen,

I have practically devoured your book, Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui'. I am energized, finally understanding why it's been so difficult for me to get rid of stuff. I do have one question. You suggest not keeping a dirty laundry basket in the bedroom because stale energy hangs around it. Where do you suggest putting a laundry basket?

- M.L., USA

Karen's reply:

The reason it isn't good to sleep with a laundry basket in the bedroom is that during sleep your energy field is very open. The same applies when you are meditating, so of course you wouldn't want to store a laundry basket near to where you meditate. It's best not to place a laundry basket in the prosperity area of your home or the prosperity area of any room in your home because it can stagnate the energy there. But apart from these restrictions, you can out it anywhere outside the bedroom. The bathroom is ideal.

If it's totally impractical to do this because of space restrictions then the best you can do is place your laundry inside a sealed container inside a cupboard in your bedroom. When travelling and staying in hotels I often have no choice but to sleep with laundry in my room, so my method is to store it in a sealed plastic bag inside a cupboard, as far away from the bed as possible. I have found this to be reasonably effective.