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How to clean out your closet like a pro: Experts reveal 4 simple steps
Daunted? Don't be — easily whittle that wardrobe with tried-and-true organizational products and strategies.
We all know how to tackle the basics of home upkeep: vacuuming, dusting, doing dishes, changing sheets. So why is it we become paralyzed when facing something out of the daily realm? Seasonal or occasional tasks can seem insurmountable, with no clear starting point, no plan and no logic. And then they naturally get pushed to the bottom of the to-do list and never get done. But no more — we're here to help with one of the biggest challenges: how to clean out a closet.
Post-it Super Sticky Notes
Hefty Ultra Strong Tall Kitchen Trash Bags, 80-Count
Brother P-Touch Handy Label Maker
Amazon Non-Slip Clothes Hangers, Pack of 50
Omgelic Acrylic Shelf Dividers, 6 Pieces
Homsorout Trapezoid Storage Bins, 6-Pack
Lisa Jacobs, founder and CEO of Imagine it Done, a New York City-based organization service, explains the benefits: "It's important to have an organized closet for peace of mind, mental wellness and day-to-day productivity. With organizational systems, you save time, energy and dollars. No more wasted moments looking for your favorite slacks and sweaters. When you see your stuff, you don't carelessly duplicate it, which leads to no more impulsive purchases. Order in your home brings on a sense of clarity, serenity, and happiness. It's as if you have hit reset! An organized space is an organized mind is an organized life."
Hear hear! If it's been a while since your last closet refresh, don't panic. Cleaning out your closet doesn't have to be a painful process — all you need is time and a little motivation.
How to clean out your closet, step by step
Luckily, closets don't need to be cleaned all that often. According to Jamie Hord, founder of Horderly Professional Organizing, "It really depends how often the items in the closet are being used and how often you are bringing in new/more, but a good rule of thumb is to refresh a closet once a year. It's great to do a constant edit throughout the year, but in addition to that, a good overhaul is usually still needed to touch in with each item individually."
1. Empty your closet.
As with most projects, it's a good idea to start with a fresh canvas. "Start with a blank slate," Hord says. "Touch on everything and decide 'keep, toss, donate.'" Create a location for each category, "strategize containment, and most importantly, label!"
To handle this task like a pro, Hord recommends certain tools. "Essentials you'll want to have ready are Post-its to keep track of your sorted piles, trash bags for trash and donations, cleaning spray and towels to wipe down surfaces, a tape measure and a label maker."
Post-its are an easy way to organize your piles. This pack comes with six brightly hued pads so you can color-code your stacks.
Use trash bags to corral clothes you want to donate, consign and throw away. The bags in this mega pack are strong enough to load up with not only clothes but shoes and boots. Let the giveaways flow!
Labeling closet shelves and containers makes it easy to maintain the hard-won order you achieve. This label maker, with nine type styles, will help keep your closet looking streamlined.
2. Sort your clothes.
Divide clothes into different piles as you go to save time, instead of grabbing every hanger at once and tossing everything onto the bed. While sorting will take the most time in the process, it's also the most crucial part. Consider each piece of clothing and create piles: keep, give away, sell and throw out.
If this process sounds overwhelming, try the KonMari method, made famous by professional organizer Marie Kondo. "Keep only those things that speak to the heart, and discard items that no longer spark joy. Thank them for their service — then let them go." Pieces that are ripped, stained, damaged or no longer fit are an easy place to begin: straight to the trash.
If the KonMari method seems too vague for you, Southern Living's Kaitlyn Yarborough suggests using her Rule of Three: "If I cannot visually imagine how I would realistically wear the clothing piece in three ways, it's out." She notes that this rule doesn't apply to special items that are heirlooms or deeply meaningful.
3. Vacuum and wipe down your closet.
While the closet is empty, give it some love. Grab the vacuum or broom (depending on your flooring). Get rid of the dust, dirt and errant hair. Then wipe down shelves, racks and floor, so you have a clean space in which to put your clothes. Leave the door open for a few minutes to let fresh air circulate.
4. Organize your closet and put away your clothes.
Don't rush to put everything away. First, consider a few organizational tools. You don't have to run out and buy a ton of new gear, but matching hangers and a few choice containers and dividers can make a big difference.
Jacobs shares, "Often, people will keep their random, dusty, twisted wire hangers to save money. For order, grace and efficiency, upgrade the hanger. It is unequivocally the No. 1 most important accessory. If you can, purchase all new and streamlined hangers to elevate the overall look of the closet and give you peace of mind." Hord suggests switching to all slim hangers.
Toss out random mismatched wire hangers and treat yourself to a set of these slim velvet ones. At less than $30, this pack of 50 is a great value.
These clip-on acrylic shelf dividers are an easy way to keep stacks of sweaters orderly, or to create nooks where you can store small handbags.
An ideal solution for organizing high-frequency items — think workout wear and socks — these bins let you easily see what you've got while corralling chaos.
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