How to Clean Out Your Closet

Step 1: Empty Everything Out

Take every item out of your closet, including everything in the drawers and on shelves. Pile everything on your bed, floor, or even have a sorting party with friends. Try to make it fun, not a chore!

Step 2: Categorize and Conquer

Group like items together. Blouses with blouses, blazers with blazers, pants with pants, purses with purses, etc. This will help you visualize how you want to organize your closet space, as well as giving you an idea of which type of item you may have too much of.

Step 3: Keep, Toss, or Donate

Now it's time to declutter by deciding what pieces of clothing to toss or give away. If it no longer fits your personal style or if you haven't worn it within the past two years, put it in the donate pile. Then you may dispose of any old clothes that are no longer in good condition. If you're going for a more minimalist approach, narrow down your capsule wardrobe throughly but carefully.

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Step 4: Fold, Hang, and Store

Once you're down to what you want to keep, you may fold or hang the rest, depending on the type of item and material. For example, delicates and other wrinkle-prone fabrics may be hung, while sweaters can be folded. Frequently worn items should be the most easily accessible. Some items—such as t-shirts and pairs of jeans—may be either folded or hung. Try not to overstuff your drawers or shelves. If possible, store items currently not in season—such as swimsuits or winter coats—in plastic totes elsewhere in your home (under your bed, in your garage, in the attic, etc.).

Step 4: Add Closet Organizers

For the clothing items you've decided to keep, you'll want them to remain tidy, protected, and organized. To conserve space in small closets, consider thin non-slip or velvet hangers. Shelf dividers, storage bins, drawer organizers, and shoe racks can also work wonders. If possible, you may even group similar items by color, occasion, or material. Label shelves or bins for easy identification. Above all, the system you choose for keeping clothes organized should make sense to you and keep your clothes protected.

Maintaining Your Closet Oasis

Remember, tidying is an ongoing process, so make it a habit to put clothes away immediately after wearing them. Do a mini-declutter every few months to keep things fresh and avoid clutter. With a little effort and these simple steps, you can make more efficient use of your space.

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