Decluttering Your Closet in 6 Easy Steps + Helpful Tips
Learn how to declutter your closet fast. These simple tips will help make decluttering your closet less daunting.
Closet space is often limited, and with styles changing per season, it can be easy to collect more clothes than we need. The result is a bulging closet that is difficult to manage or navigate. Purging your closet is a great way to clean and clear your space and make room for the clothes that you want to wear.
Declutter your closet by sorting through all your clothing. Donate, sell, and throw away what you do not use. Mend what can be fixed and keep what fits and you love. Rotate your clothes for the seasons to keep your closet clear, and buy clothes intentionally.
Getting rid of items we have held on to for a while can be challenging. Perhaps they have sentimental value because you wore them while making great memories. Maybe they were given to you by someone special.
Whatever the reason, having items you do not use is not helpful. There are easy ways to purge your closet and feel good doing it. Keep reading to find out how.
Related Decluttering Articles:
When to Purge Your Closet
How do you know it is time to purge your closet? When there are more items than you use. If the closet doors struggle to close and you trip over shoes, it is time to purge.
Perhaps your closet is not bursting at the seams, but you know that there are clothes you have not worn in years. In that case, it is time to release them and let somebody else enjoy them.
Letting go of clothing items can be an exhilarating and rewarding task. Let us go through the process together as you journey from a cluttered closet to a clean and free, style guru.
How to Declutter Your Closet Fast in 6 Easy Steps
#1. Empty the Closet
The first step to decluttering your closet is to gather all your clothes, shoes, accessories, and other items in one spot. The idea is to completely empty your closet.
Use the opportunity to give the closet a good clean. Vacuum and wipe the surfaces and spray a little air freshener into the space, ready to receive the clothes you keep.
Ensure that you collect your clothes from everywhere, including the washer, couch, car, and anywhere else they may be.
#2. Sort the Clothes
Once you have all your clothes and accessories together, sort them into five categories. (You can also try some of them on.) Place each item you try on into a pile representing what you will do with it :
- Love it, and I’m keeping it!
- Mend it
- Donate it
- Sell it
- Trash it
Here’s where it gets a little challenging. As you sort or try on your clothes, your mind will probably play tricks on you. Have you ever had thoughts like, “It’s too small now, but I’ll keep it for when I’m skinny again?” Or, “I can’t throw this away; my aunt loves it.”?
These types of thoughts are what lead us to keep items that we do not need and cause our homes to become cluttered. When these tricky thoughts enter your mind, know it is time to be strong. You are purging your closet for a reason. You desire a clean, clear space to find the clothes you love and wear.
Push the intrusive thoughts aside and keep going. Your aunt will probably not notice that the blouse is missing, and when you are skinny again, you can reward yourself by buying a new pair of jeans. For now, your goal is a clear closet.
#4. A “Maybe Bin” to the Rescue
There is one way to be lenient with yourself. That is with a “maybe” bin. If you have clothes that fit you and you like, not necessarily love, and feel you might want to keep, keep them in this bin. Give yourself a time limit of like six months. Then donate or sell, if you have not worn the item within the time limit.
When you have tried on your clothes and completed your piles, fetch bins or trash bags, tape, and a marker. Label the containers or bags for the following bundles:
- Mend it
- Donate it
- Sell it
- Trash it
#5. Get Rid of Decluttered Items Immediately
Take the trash out immediately to avoid any change of heart. Place the mending and donation bags near the door to be removed when you organize your closet. Place the “sell bag” near your laptop or door, depending on where you will sell the items. You can place the maybe bin inside your closet.
#6. Organize Your Closet
Now that you have only the clothes that fit you well and that you love remaining, it is time to organize your closet. Before you put everything back in, there are a few things we recommend leaving out.
Things You Shouldn’t Keep in Your Closet
Closets are typically home to clothing, but they often become storage units for other items related to clothing that do not strictly belong in a closet. When you purge your closet, consider what items you can remove to allow for a cleaner, more organized, better-functioning closet space.
We recommend you remove the following items:
Jewelry
Although many of us are guilty of storing jewelry in our closets, it should not ideally be kept with our clothes. Since jewelry is typically delicate and closet space-tight, the chance of our precious jewelry becoming damaged is high.
Instead, store your jewelry on your dresser or display it on a stand outside your closet to keep it safe.
Jackets, Coats, And Rain Boots
Jackets, coats, and rain boots are technically clothing; however, they are better housed in a space other than a closet. These bulky, often wet items have a habit of occupying precious closet space and could leave your other clothing damp.
Having damp clothing and boots in your closet can lead to mold, mildew growth, and foul odors forming in your dark, unventilated space.
Store your jackets, coats, and rain boots in a designated area outside your closet where they can dry out and not impact your other clothes.
(You may also want to read this article on how to keep your clothes smelling fresh in a closet.)
Luggage
Like coats, luggage takes up a great deal of space in a closet. Unless you can store handbags or other handy items inside it, opt to store your luggage in the garage, basement, or additional storage space.
Food Items
Even if you need to hide it from your children, keeping chocolate in your closet is not recommended. Pests have a knack for smelling out food products, and the result of having pests is often damaged clothing and foul odors in your closet.
Store your food products safely in the kitchen or pantry and away from your clothing.
Excess Hangers
If you have excess hangers, it is best to store them in a bin or basket. Try to avoid hanging them on your railing. Hanging them on the bar of your closet takes up space and can minimize the space you have left for the clothing you wish to store.
Keep excess hangers nearby, though, so that when you need them, they are easy to find.
Having the Right Mindset is Important When Decluttering Your Wardrobe
It can be tempting to get into a “what if” mindset when we are faced with letting go of our belongings. When you declutter your closet, it is imperative that you stay strong and focused on your end goal. Remember that you desire a clean and tidy closet that you can use easily.
Here are a few thoughts that could come up for you and how to deflect them to reach your goal of a decluttered closet.
“My children may want to use this one day.”
The truth is that style changes, and your children will likely not want to wear your old clothes when they are grown.
“But I got it for such a good price.”
It makes no difference how much or little you paid for it. If it does not fit you and you do not wear it, let someone else enjoy it.
“I can finally fit into this again. You bet I’m going to keep it even though I don’t like the color.”
What for? Well done on fitting into a smaller size. Congratulate yourself by purchasing something you actually like and will wear.
“I may not be able to afford this next season. I’ll keep it just in case.”
You have it now and do not wear it. What makes you think you will wear it next season, whether you can afford it or not?
The mind is a powerful force, and when it feels threatened, it keeps us in our comfort zones. Do not let your comfort zone of clutter win this time. Work against your mind and purge that closet.
Final Thoughts on How to Declutter Your Closet Quickly
To purge your closet, use a mindset of clarity and keep your end goal in mind. Take account of all your clothes and accessories and donate, trash, and sell what you cannot use. Mend and keep what you love and use regularly. Clean and clear your closet and keep only what is necessary for easy access.
Did you find our tips on how to declutter your closet helpful? Leave your comment below.
