#1: All Hands on Deck
Get the entire family involved. Everyone should be responsible for his or her clothing, accessories and toys. This will cut your cleaning time in half and ensure nothing important is donated or thrown away by mistake.
#2: Start from Scratch
Just like when you clean the garage during summer, empty out everything all at once. Yep, that’s right. Take everything out of your closet. If you don’t remove everything all at once, chances are the same unworn clothes will only be moved around in your closet.
#3: Separate and Sort
Once you have everything out of your closet, sort your clothing into piles: keep, launder, donate or toss. Any clothing items that are dirty or damaged, set aside and send them to the dry cleaners for necessary cleaning and proper repairs. Keep in mind the average American only wears 10-20% of their clothing, so remove any items you haven’t worn in a year or more and toss, donate or swap with family and friends in an organized clothing swap.
#4: Clothing Only
Remove any items that have no business being in your closet. You know what we are talking about: old bank statements, tax returns, insurance information. Since when did clothing closets become the new desk drawers? Take any and all paperwork and organize it in file folders, then place in an office cabinet or desk drawer.
#5: Start in Sections
Designate a place for everything in your clothing closet. If you struggle with your shoes, try a hanging-shoe rack or over-the-door organizer. Boots too big and bulky? Invest in a boot rack. Crowded clothing? Thinner hangers take up less space and create more space so you can find things quickly and easily. Solving your biggest closet conundrums will help keep order and save you time each morning.
#6: Organize by Season or Color
If you live in a climate that experiences all four seasons, arrange your clothing by seasons. You may need to do some seasonal swaps as the seasons change, but no need to keep sweaters on your hard-to-reach top shelf in the middle of winter. If organizing clothing by color is more your style (pun intended) set up your closet by colors so when you are looking for that red blouse, you know where it will be – in the red section!
#7: Stick with It
After the big clean, dedicate 15 minutes each week to straighten up your closet. Spending a small amount of time each week will keep everything organized and none of your hard work will go to waste.
#8: One in, One Out
After you clean your closet, treat yourself to a new piece of clothing – after all, you do have room for it now, but remember to follow the one in, one out rule. For every one new item of clothing you purchase, one item must go.
Follow these simple closet clean out tips so you can create the closet of your dreams!
Harness that cleaning power and inspiration by organizing the rest of your home.