how to organize your closet
Cleaning out your closet is a daunting project that is often put off. But with clothes crammed tightly together and hangers sticking out in all directions, it can be exhausting trying to find the shirt you need among the outdated fashion choices you can't let go of. Stop spending so much time getting dressed in the morning and get rid of the clothes that waste space in your wardrobe. With these tips for cleaning out the closet you can make it a lot easier for yourself.
How do you start organizing your closet and clothing collection?
It's time to get yourself into the organizational mindset. Tackling a closet cleanout is no easy task, so use these tips to help you get the job done.
1. Schedule time for your cleaning
If you're reading this, you've probably started thinking about tackling this project or committed to finally getting rid of all the clothes you don't wear. But you might be wondering, "How do I start cleaning out my closet?"
Organizing your clothes can be overwhelming, so get started with a plan. Prepare by setting aside some time and writing it down in your calendar. Scheduling this as an essential task makes it hard to avoid. Then free up the whole day if you need to. You can even hire a babysitter so you don't get distracted. Play some music that will keep you motivated for the next few hours, then put your phone away and dive in.
Use the “less is more” motto and work in smaller blocks of time. Set a timer for 30 minutes to two hours, select a clothing type (e.g. pants) to go through, and tidy up until the time is up.
2. Empty your closet into one giant pile
What's the best way to clean out your closet? Start by removing every last item, including your hangers, and place them on your bed. Now you can't go to sleep until you finish the project, giving you no excuse to stop until you're done. This will also give you an idea of the available space in your closet so you can see what will fit comfortably when you replace pieces you want to keep.
Use the minimum motto. This may seem a little intimidating, but starting over is the best way to create lasting change and make a thorough evaluation of what you own. If you have clothes that you keep in other areas of your house, pull those in to sort as well.
3. Give your closet a good scrub
Then clean the inside of the cabinet while it is empty. Dust and wipe down shelves and racks, vacuum or sweep the floor, and clean light fixtures. Leave the door open to air out the closet while you decide which clothes to keep and which to get rid of.
4. Sort clothes to keep, give away and throw away
It's time to get to the point. Make three different groups as you go through each item on your bed:
Clothes you're going to keep
Items that you do not need and that are still in good condition
Everything that needs to go straight to the trash
Once you put an item in a pile, don't doubt yourself. Keep moving so you don't lose momentum
5. Refine the "keep" stack
Sorting clothes into the "keep" pile is the easy part, but remember not to get too carried away - you can't keep everything. Stick to this list to help you figure out what to keep in your closet.
Layered pieces that are good for every season
Things you've actually worn in the past year
Clothing and accessories that you can combine with any trend
Accessories and everyday pieces that you wear at least seasonally
How to decide which clothes to keep?
If you're still wondering, "What should I keep in my closet?" then answer the following questions to decide if a certain item is valuable for your wardrobe.
Would I buy this today?
Does this fit my lifestyle?
When was the last time I wore this?
When will I wear this in the next few months?
Always stick to the “less is more” motto! Keep your wardrobe to a very high standard. When we look good, we feel good, and you deserve to always feel your best. When cleaning up, be very picky and honest.
Try the Marie Kondo method
"Does this item bring me joy?" That is the most important question that the famous Japanese organizational consultant Marie Kondo asks when you are tidying up. So think about each item as you tidy up your clothes. Does a certain top make you feel less than your best? If it doesn't make you feel good, don't wear it. There's no point in letting it take up space in your closet.
Kondo also says to think about what you want to keep, not what you want to get rid of. Shift your mind to focus on items you really love instead of worrying about old clothes you really don't want.
6. Throw out what you don't need to free up space in your closet
Now it's time to figure out what's going out of your closet. Use this list to easily decide what to clean.
Clothes that don't fit
Anything you have multiples of
Items that no longer suit your style
Clothing that you have not worn or only worn once
Things you used to wear a lot, but don't like now
Accessories and items that cannot be styled with other clothes
Anything you've been telling yourself for a while that you'll touch up or fix
Use the minima motto: be brave. Most people wear the same few items over and over, so let the rest go
You can donate, sell or give to a friend any of the above items that are in good condition. Don't waste time trying to get them out of your house - you just did all that hard work tidying up your clothes, so don't let them take up your space longer than necessary.
Anything you haven't decided to keep, give away, or sell should probably be thrown away. If it's in bad shape, send it to the trash or find a local fabric recycling organization that can reuse your old clothes. This means getting rid of anything torn, stained, faded, or otherwise unbearable.
7. Put the stack back in your closet
Now it's time to fill your closet neatly, but have a plan to keep your clothes organized. Consider installing new shelves, organizing drawers, or adding extra rods if space allows to create a cohesive system. When you store things, keep them in a way that suits your daily routine. For example, if you exercise every day, try putting workout clothes at the front of your closet with the items you regularly wear to work. Your more casual weekend wear doesn't need a prime seat because you don't have to be in a hurry because you'll be going out the door wearing different outfits during the week.
“Fold or hang all the same items together, such as pants, long-sleeved tops, short-sleeved tops, etc. Within each category, group items by color. Also consider moving seasonal clothing to another closet, a rack in the basement, or in storage bins under your bed.
5 quick tips for cleaning out your closet
Here are a few quick tips to help you clean out your closet and tie up some loose ends on the items you're still unsure about.
1. The one-year rule
If you haven't worn the garment in the past year, you probably never will. Don't hold on to a T-shirt or pair of shoes in the hope that you'll use it again, and don't try to convince yourself you ever will. It's time to let it go. Don't let it take up precious space anymore.
Minimalism made simple: When clearing out your closet, choose the clothes that reflect the person you are today, and separate the items that reflect who you used to be. We all naturally grow and change over time, and our clothes can emphasize our transformation.
2. Force yourself to carry the doubts
Clothes that you're still not sure whether to keep or get rid of call for a tryout. Pick a day in the next week to wear them and note how you feel in them. Do these jeans make you feel good? Will you wear this sweater again? Can you find a way to style it? Or maybe you reluctantly put it on?
3. One thing in, one thing out
Come on, for every new piece of clothing you buy, something has to go. This will prevent your closet from becoming cluttered again.
4. The hanger trick
When you put your clothes back in your closet, make sure all your hangers are facing the same way. After wearing an item, turn the pendant over when you put it back. Wait a month and then pay attention to which hangers are still oriented in the original way. Re-evaluate your need for using these clothes and consider donating them. This will help you keep a regular check on your wardrobe
5. Slow and steady
If the idea of spending several hours cleaning out your closet is too overwhelming, try making it a part of your daily routine. Put a donation box in or near your closet and try to put five items in it every day.
Clean up in minutes at a time. As you grab a shirt for the day ahead, find another that you no longer wear. Looking for a belt? Donate everything that is out of fashion. Cleaning up while you're at it turns an intimidating project into just another easy task on your daily to-do list.