Decluttering the Closets

Do you wear a hard hat when you open your closet?

No, I’m just kidding. Your closet isn’t that messy. Or is it?

Do you have a hard time fitting your just-laundered clothes into the closet? How often have you actually gone through your closet and sorted out all the clothes you no longer wear? Unused clothing can quickly cramp and clutter your closet.

Either late fall or early spring are good times to tackle decluttering a closet. The weather has changed by then, and it’s time to put away the clothes you won’t wear for another few months. Before you begin the big job, check out your closet to see what you will need to get it properly organized.

Do you need more hangers, or a shoe rack? Do you need some containers or zippered bags to store out of season clothes? Do you need a rack for accessories? Once you have made a list of what you will need, go buy those things, so you are prepared for the ‘de-clutter the closet’ day.

Start this job in a morning, when you have a few free hours. You’ll probably be using your bed to stack and sort your clothes, and you will want to be all finished before its time to go to bed.

Take out your pieces of clothing and judge them one at a time. How long is it since it has been worn?

  • Does it fit you now?
  • It it in good condition?
  • Does it go with the other things you love to wear?

Make one pile of clothes that aren’t in good enough condition to wear, or that no longer fit. Make another pile of ‘out of season’ clothes, and another for clothes that are current. Do the same with shoes and accessories. Once your closet is empty, wipe it down and vacuum the shelves and floor.

Before you start putting things back, put the out of season clothes into sealed bags or a covered container. You can leave them on the hangers, but store them away. This should free up some closet space. Stored these in another closet that has room, or in containers under your bed.

Any clothes that don’t fit, are in poor condition or you have not worn in a long time should be boxed and taken to a thrift shop or discarded.

Now analyze the closet space. Do you need to put up a few hooks to hang things? Do you need to put up a shelf for folded sweaters or your accessories? Have you a space for a shoe rack? If your space is not adequate, maybe you can store the shoes in a covered bin under the bed. Take your time, think about the best and most convenient solutions.

I guarantee that when you are all done, you’ll have an organized and clean closet that you’ll love to open.