Cleaning out your closet can be a challenging task. It is hard to let go of sentimental items and decide what clothing needs to stay and what should go. When cleaning out your closet, try to think of it as making room for new, exciting pieces and not as the chore of getting rid of all your clothes. Learn how to easily clean out your closet with just a few simple steps.
Cleaning out your closet offers several benefits. First, an organized closet will save you time each morning as you are getting dressed for work. You will know exactly where each clothing item is located which saves you time as you get ready. Second, cleaning out your closet makes room for new clothing items. A cleaned closet provides you space for new clothes that fit you and make you feel great about yourself and your body. Finally, cleaning out your closet means you get to donate your old clothes to someone in need.
Steps to Clean Out Your Closet
The best way to clean out your closet is to grab a friend, grab a few supplies, block out a day and get busy! Follow these simple steps and you’ll have a clean and organized closet in no time!
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Schedule a Cleaning Date
Schedule a half day or full day to clean out your closet. Mark this day on your calendar and keep this date with yourself. Do not bump it off your calendar! A clean closet is important. A cleaned, organized closet will help you get dressed quicker each morning, feel good each time you walk into the organized space and feel less stressed since there is less clutter.
Invite a Friend
Schedule a day when your friend (your very honest friend) can come over and help you decide what to keep versus what to donate. It can be difficult to get rid of pieces that have sentimental value, that are expensive, or that you love but can no longer wear. A truthful, honest friend will help you decide what to keep and what to donate. Invite a friend who is honest, has great style and is very decisive. It’s important to invite a friend who will be supportive but also help you make tough decisions. (Be ready to reciprocate the favor by scheduling a day to help your friend clean out her closet as well)!
Sort items
Grab some boxes and label them as keep, donate, sell or discard. With the help of your friend, go through every item in your closet and sort into one of the 4 boxes. If the items are still in style and worth the hassle of selling, then place in the items in the sell box. If you no longer want the item, but it is still in decent condition, place in the donate box. Try not to throw away clothing and shoes unless the item is worn beyond repair. Keep items that fit, are in good shape, feel good and is in style.
How to Decide What to Keep
Ask yourself these questions as you decide what clothes, shoes and accessories to keep:
- Does it fit?
- Is it in good condition?
- Is it still in style?
- Does it have strong sentimental value?
- Have you worn it in the last 6 months?
- Is this something you would wear again?
- Do you feel good when you wear it?
- Is it easy to clean (machine washable, hand wash only or dry clean only) ?
Keep all of the items out of your closet so that your space is empty for cleaning.
Clean the Closet
Clean from the top down. Start by cleaning the light fixtures and top shelves. Work your way down dusting the shelves, drawers, bins and cabinets while they are empty. Sweep, mop and/or vacuum your floors. Make sure your closet space is nice and clean prior to organizing.
Organize The Closet
Organize the items you are keeping in your closet so that you can easily find what you are looking for each day. Go through one section at a time and start by organizing your hanging space first.
Hanging Space
Organize your hanging clothes by investing in quality hangers. Slim, non-slip hangers will keep your clothes securely on the hanger. Divide the hanging clothes by type first such as blouse, skirts, pants, tanks. etc. Then sort the types further by color moving from light to dark. While this seems excessive and over-the-top, arranging by type and then color will help you quickly and easily identify all of your styling options.
POWER Tip: Turn all your hangers in one direction. As you wear the item, turn the hanger in the opposite direction. In 6 months, when you decide to clean out your closet again, you will quickly know what pieces you have not worn in the last 6 months because the hangers will be turned the wrong way. This should make the keep or donate decisions much easier!
Shelves & Bins
Use shelves to store folded sweaters and t-shirts. Shelves are also a great way to use vertical space to store shoes. Decorative bins and baskets are a fantastic way to organize smaller items like scarves, belts and socks.
Dresser Drawers
If you are fortunate enough to have a closet big enough to hold a dresser, keep the top of the dresser cleaned off and use it as a folding space. The drawers are great for holding socks, underwear and other personal items. You can even use a drawer to hold your jewelry. Small plastic bins and jewelry containers can easily organize your jewelry in a dresser drawer and make your closet appear less cluttered.
Go Vertical
I don’t know any woman who doesn’t wish for more closet space. Make the most of your space by going vertical. Add floating shelves, shoe racks to the back of your closet door, and stackable bins to make the most of every inch in your closet. Be sure to label your closed bins and baskets so you can easily identify items located in hard to reach places.
Store Under the Bed
Place seasonal clothing or any less frequently worn items in sealed containers under your bed, in the attic or in the basement. Storing your seasonal clothes frees up some of your hanging space and helps keep the closet less cluttered.
Cleaning out your closet doesn’t have to be an overwhelming task. Schedule a day to clean, invite a friend over, grab some boxes and cleaning supplies and get busy! Truthfully evaluating each item, cleaning out the space and then organizing each section of your closet will make you feel much better! You’ll save time getting dressed each morning and feel less stressed without all of the clutter.
Don’t have time to dedicate an entire day to cleaning your closet? That’s okay! You can easily clean your closet over the period of one or two weeks by scheduling 15-30 minute pockets of time each day to clean a section of your closet. Those short pockets of time are called POWER Pockets™. Grab the FREE guide below to learn more!
