Guide to a Closet Clean Out

A cluttered and disorganized closet can make it difficult to find what you're looking for, which can be frustrating and time-consuming. A clean and organized closet can help you make better use of the space you have, allowing you to fit more items in your closet and make it easier to sift through clothing.

Regularly cleaning your closet can also help you to declutter and get rid of items that you no longer need or use. This helps reduce clutter and make your home feel more spacious and comfortable.

A clean and organized closet can simply make you feel more organized and in control of your space, which can improve your overall sense of well-being. If you’re struggling with where to begin, check out this easy to follow guide for the best tips and techniques.

Scheduling a Closet Clean Out

Are you suddenly thinking or motivated about cleaning out your closet? It's a great idea, but it can be overwhelming. Here's how to get started:

• Set aside some time and mark it in your calendar

• If you need to, clear the whole day for this task

• Hire a babysitter if your children are bound to distract you

• Play some music to keep you motivated and energetic

• Put away your phone for less distractions and dive right in
  

Step 1: Create an Inventory

To start your closet cleanse, take everything out of your closet and deep clean it. This includes clothes, hangers, and shoes. Don't forget items on shelves, bins, and drawers. Cleaning your closet will make it easier to vacuum and dust it thoroughly before you decide to refill it. It will also give you a chance to be mindful about which items you want to keep.

Take a look at each item individually and think about its condition, fit, style, and whether or not you will actually wear it. It's a good idea to keep basic pieces like neutral t-shirts and tanks. Ripped, stained, and discolored clothing should be thrown away, as well as any broken or missing accessories or shoes.

It’s also a good idea to remove everything from your closet, including hangers, and put them on your bed. This will ensure that you cannot go to sleep until the project is finished, giving you no excuse to stop. Additionally, this will give you a visual of the space available in your closet so you can see how much space each item takes up as you decide what to keep.

Expert Tip: Keep Decluttering Supplies at Hand

By recycling gently used and new items, you will be helping the environment and those in need. You may be motivated to get rid of your items if you know that they'll be used instead of gathering dust. If your clothes are in good condition, you can donate them to a local charity or sell them at consignment stores. To keep everything organized, keep a donation bin in your closet. You can then donate the clothes when the bins are full.

To ease the process, gather some trash bags, a marker, and some tape while cleaning out your closet. Take the first bag and put a strip of tape on it, then write "Trash" on the tape with the marker. Repeat this step with the second bag, but label it "Donate" instead. If you have fashionable or designer clothing, you may want to grab a third bag for items you can sell at a consignment store.

Advice: What to Donate vs. Trash vs. Keep

Having trouble deciding which items of clothing to keep, trash or donate? Use this table for guidance:

Clothing Condition / Style / Fit	​Donate	​Trash	Keep
​Good condition but not worn in a year	✔
Has holes, worn-out elastic or rips that can't be repaired		✔
Needs a button or has a hole you or a tailor can easily fix			✔
Not your style	​✔
Faded or the fabric is pilling		​✔
Fantastic, you love it and you wear it			✔
Has stains that can be washed			​✔
​Doesn’t fit	​✔

Step 2: Scrub, Clean & Dust Accumulated Dirt

You should take care of your closet as you would any other room in your house. Take the time to clean the area before you place your “Keep” pile back in. Make sure the shelves are cleaned, the floor is vacuumed, the light fixture is cleaned and the doorknob is sanitized. It will shock you to discover how much dirt is hiding in your closet.

Step 3: Declutter & Organize

While sorting clothes into the "keep" pile is the easy part, don't get caught up in keeping everything and coming back to square one. It’s best to keep clothes that can be:

• Layered

• Worn in every season

• Repeat outfits

• Clothes or accessories that can be incorporated in every trend

• Staple and everyday pieces

• Neutrals (blacks, greys, whites, nudes)
  

It’s also a good idea to ask yourself these questions while deciding which clothes to keep and throw out:

• Would I buy this item today?

• Does this clothing item fit my lifestyle?

• When did I wear this last?

• When will I wear this in the future?

Many people have clothes that are too small and they keep them as a goal to lose weight. This is not a good idea because clothes should make you feel good about yourself. If you have clothes that make you feel bad, donate them. If you do reach your goal, you can go shopping for new clothes!

KonMari Method

If you are unsure what to do with certain clothing items, consider using the KonMari method. Ask yourself if the item brings you joy or if it fits well. If the answer is no to both questions, then throw it away. This rule also applies to shoes. If they have holes or excessive wear on the soles, get rid of them. If you haven't worn them in a year, donate them to charity. If you love and wear them often, keep them.

The Purge

Now you've got to decide which items don't belong back in your closet. Here’s a list to help you decide what to purge. You may want to discard clothes or items that:

• Don’t fit

• Resemble one another

• No longer your style

• You haven’t worn at all

• Obscure accessories or items that can’t be paired easily with other pieces

• Clothes that might need too much repairing or altering

Step 4: Putting it All Back

It is time to refill your closet in a neat and organized manner. Create a plan to keep your clothes organized. You can install new shelves, buy organizing drawers, or add additional rods if you have enough space. As you put things back, store them in a way that makes sense for your daily routine. For example, if you work out every day, you may want to put athletic wear near the front of your closet with the items you regularly wear to work. Your more casual weekend clothes do not need to be easily accessible since you will not need them quickly during the week.

To keep your closet clean and organized, it's important to find storage solutions that fit your specific needs. Consider shoe organizers if you own a lot of shoes. Accessory and jewelry storage can also be made easier with hooks, drawer organizers, and stacking trays. Consider installing a custom closet if you have the budget. Shelf rods, drawers, and closets can be easily repositioned as your needs change. Instead of mismatched plastic hangers, choose slim velvet hangers to save up on space.

Expert Advice: Seasonal Organizing

If you have trouble finding your summer dresses because they are hidden behind your winter coats and your scarves get tangled with your bikinis, it's time to reorganize your closet. Instead of keeping clothes you won't wear for several months in your hanging space, put them in another location. When it's time to wear those items again, switch them back into your closet.