how to clean out your closet
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Cleaning out your closet is a daunting task. I’ve often heard “I have no idea where to start”. And I get that — if you feel overwhelmed at anything it’s always hard to get started; but once you do, I promise you will feel so much better!
Gone are the days where you have nothing to wear. Where you open up your closet and think to yourself how much you need to go shopping. And then all the overwhelming emotions behind that kick in. I get it. Trust me. We’re going to make that all stop. Together.
That’s why I’m here! Cleaning out someone’s closet it one of my favorite things to do. You know that saying, you can tell a lot about a person by the friends they keep? Well, you can also tell a lot about a person by the clothes they hold on to. So today I’m sharing with you some of the tips I use when cleaning out a closet (mine included). Plus a map I adapted from the book, The Curated Closet that will guide you to answering the ultimate question: should I keep it?
So let’s get started.
I like to work in sections, and the below steps can be applied to one section at a time. Cleaning your closet out in sections, helps to break it up so it doesn’t feel so overwhelming. Plus it can give you a stopping point if you need to call it quits for the day. A section can be as big as all hanging items, or a small as a single drawer, it’s up to you.
Step 1: Grab some bags and boxes. You’re gonna need bags for your donate/sell pile, your repair/tailor pile, and you trash pile. I like to store things in boxes, so those would be items you deem your keepsakes and off season storage. You’ll also have a trial separation pile which I would suggest putting in bag unless you have room in storage. We’ll get to these later.
Step 2: Take everything out. Throw it on the floor, on the bed, wherever you want, but get it out of closet, drawer, or whatever you’re cleaning.
Step 3: Pick up each item and follow the map. Is it damaged or dirty? Have you worn it in the last year? Do you love it? Follow the yes, no or even not sure prompts to guide you with what to do with those items.
Trash — you know what to do. In the garbage you go!
Keepsake — I know, that old college tee brings back too many memories to get rid of it, and that’s fine. It just doesn’t belong in your closet. Put it in a box and it goes in storage.
Donate/Sell — I love to sell clothes online, but it can be a tedious job (and you have to store all those clothes while you wait for someone to buy them). If that doesn’t bother you, sites like Poshmark and Tradsey are great. Donation is always a good option; whatever they don’t take, please toss in the garbage. A third option, ThreadUp, is sort of the best of both worlds; they will send you a bag to mail in your clothes, then pay you for what they keep and toss the rest (or mail it back to you, if you prefer).
Tailor/Repair — put this box or bag directly in your car. I mean it. If you don’t take these to get fixed right away, they will end up sitting in your closet, unworn, for the next three years. Don’t do that.
Off Season Storage — let me give you an example: snow gear. Unless you live somewhere that it snows 6 months out of the year, you aren’t going to be needing this on a regular basis. Put it in a box and stick it in storage. You need the space in your closet for the things you can actually wear all the time.
Trial Separation — this is one of my favorites. If you are so torn about whether or not to get rid of an item, I always suggest a trial separation. Put it away for 3 months and if you haven’t gone back to that bag or box to get it out, then you get rid of it. It’s that simple. You have a chance to say “just kidding I do what that” without the regret of having donated it already.
A that’s all there is to it! Cleaning out your closet is as simple as 3 easy steps! Now it’s your turn — go get to it! #cerriously
