Cleaning out your closet can be a daunting task, but it’s an important step in creating a more organized and intentional wardrobe. A closet cleanout can help you reduce clutter, save time, and save money. In this article, we’ll provide a step-by-step guide to cleaning out your closet, as well as tips from experts on how to define your style, identify your go-to items, and divide and conquer your closet.
The Benefits of a Closet Cleanout
Before we dive into the steps of a closet cleanout, let’s discuss the benefits of this process. According to Joshua Becker, author of “The More of Less,” “The benefits of owning fewer possessions are clear. Less time spent taking care of things means more time for relationships, passions, and experiences.” Here are some specific benefits of a closet cleanout:
- Reducing clutter: A clean closet can help you feel more organized and reduce stress.
- Saving time: When your closet is organized, it’s easier to find what you need and get dressed quickly.
- Saving money: By getting rid of clothes you no longer wear, you can avoid buying duplicates or unnecessary items.
Steps to a Successful Closet Cleanout
To successfully clean out your closet, follow these steps:
1. Define your style
Before you start cleaning out your closet, it’s important to define your personal style. This will help you identify which items to keep and which ones to let go of. You can curate a Pinterest or mood board for fashion inspiration, including a balanced mix of visuals that mirror your daily wear and those that encapsulate your style aspirations. Stylist Allison Bornstein recommends thinking of your closet as a functional workspace and being pragmatic about dressing for the life you actually have, not the one you aspire to. She says, “Think of your closet as a functional workspace and be pragmatic about dressing for the life you actually have, not the one you aspire to.”
2. Take everything out of your closet
Pull out everything in your closet, out of drawers, under the bed, in the attic, and pile it all on your bed. You can’t effectively audit your closet IN your closet. Make clear piles of clothing. You should have areas for Donate, Keep, Tailor, Consign. Stylist Rosana Vollmerhausen of DC Style Factory recommends pulling out everything in your closet and making clear piles of clothing. She says, “You can’t effectively audit your closet IN your closet. Make clear piles of clothing. You should have areas for Donate, Keep, Tailor, Consign.”
3. Be mindful of what you keep
When deciding what to keep, ask yourself if you love the item and if it fits you well. If the answer is no to either of these questions, it’s time to let it go. If you haven’t worn it in two years, toss it. Southern Living recommends enacting a “Rule of 3” when cleaning out your closet. The guideline goes as follows: If you cannot visually imagine how you would realistically wear the clothing piece in three ways, it’s out.
4. Allocate time for a mindful wardrobe edit
A proper closet cleanout cannot be rushed or executed without thought, making it imperative to dedicate time for a mindful wardrobe edit. You need to make space and time to do it responsibly. Think of ways you can integrate things, upcycle them, repurpose them, or restyle them, etc. Stylist Jess Graves of The Love List recommends making keep, donate, and mend piles and being smart about the stuff you don’t want. She says, “Make yourself a pile of things to donate, things to sell, and things to mend.”
5. Wear what you own
After you’ve cleaned out your closet, wear what you own, experiment, mix and match. Document the outfits on your phone and record thoughts. Identify true gaps in your wardrobe. Wardrobe Oxygen recommends wearing what you own and experimenting with mixing and matching. They say, “Document the outfits on your phone and record thoughts. Identify true gaps in your wardrobe.”
What to Do with Your Unwanted Clothes
Once you’ve decided which clothes to get rid of, you have several options:
- Donate: You can donate your clothes to a local charity or thrift store.
- Sell: You can sell your clothes online or at a consignment store.
- Repurpose: You can repurpose your clothes into something new, such as a quilt or tote bag.
- Recycle: You can recycle your clothes at a textile recycling box.
Stylist Jess Graves of The Love List recommends being smart about the stuff you don’t want and making yourself a pile of things to donate, things to sell, and things to mend. She says, “Be smart about the stuff you don’t want. Make yourself a pile of things to donate, things to sell, and things to mend.”
Maintaining a Clean Closet
To maintain a clean closet, follow these tips:
- Regularly purge your clothes: Set aside time every few months to go through your clothes and get rid of anything you no longer wear.
- Organize your closet: Use hangers, shelves, and storage bins to keep your clothes organized and easy to find.
- Avoid overbuying: Only buy clothes that you truly love and that fit your personal style.
Stylist Rosana Vollmerhausen of DC Style Factory recommends regularly purging your clothes and organizing your closet. She says, “Set aside time every few months to go through your clothes and get rid of anything you no longer wear. Use hangers, shelves, and storage bins to keep your clothes organized and easy to find.”
That´s How You Do it
Cleaning out your closet can be a daunting task, but it’s an important step in creating a more organized and intentional wardrobe. By following these steps and tips from experts, you can successfully clean out your closet and maintain a clutter-free space. Remember to define your style, be mindful of what you keep, allocate time for a mindful wardrobe edit, and wear what you own. With a little effort and dedication, you can create a closet that sparks joy and reflects your personal style.
