From plastic coat hangers to shoes that hurt – 10 things to chuck from your wardrobe right now
No one looks forward to decluttering the wardrobe. Positive and hopeful, you open the doors and start pulling things out, one after the other. Fast forward two hours and you’re exhausted and defeated, with several piles of shoes, clothes, bags and shirts to show for it. Decluttering the wardrobe can be an intimidating task, but if not addressed, a ‘floordrobe’ is an almost certain fate.
The good news is, there are ways to make decluttering this space a little easier. In fact, if you want a super speedy way to save some space, we’ve spoken to three professional organisers to find 10 common sources of clutter in the wardrobe. These things are quick to remove and can make a phenomenal difference in a short space of time. Here’s where you should start:
1. Plastic coat hangers
While it’s tempting to keep the plastic hanger offered at the checkout, your clothes are generally better off with velvet hangers, according to Kate Ibbotson, professional organiser from A Tidy Mind: “Plastic hangers are often bulky and can distort the shape of your clothing over time. Switching to velvet hangers can be a smart move; they’re slimmer, save space and their non-slip surface helps keep your garments in place. Many people also find plastic hangers non-pleasing aesthetically, and uniform hangers look and fit together better.”
If you already have plastic hangers but want to make the switch to velvet, you can recycle any plastic hangers by taking them to charity shops or seeing if large retailers will recycle them for you.
Thick wooden hangers can also be handy for heavier items, such as coats and suits. Look out for designs with wider, rounded shoulders to better distribute the weight. And there’s specialist hangers for accessories, such as scarves and bags, too.
2. Shoe boxes
Shoe boxes stack easily, but they’re ultimately a huge waste of space. Kate continues: “While it might be tempting to keep shoe boxes for future use or nostalgia, they’re very bulky and take up a lot of space, so they can quickly become unnecessary clutter. Consider donating or recycling them instead. If you need storage solutions, opt for clear containers that make it easy to identify your shoes at a glance. Or consider shoe storage that saves even more space.”
Shoes boxes are awkward in that you can’t easily access your shoes, especially if there are other boxes on top. Plus, they’re not offering significant protection if you’re storing them long-term, such as between the seasons. As Kate says, plastic containers are much better for seeing what you have stored, plus they’re more durable, will protect from water damage and moths can’t get to your shoes. For the wardrobe, stick to shoe organisers and shoe racks, so they’re quick to find and grab when needed.
3. Old wardrobe fresheners
Do you still have old wardrobe fresheners hanging up in your wardrobe? Such items are pointless to keep at this stage and may even have the reverse effect according to Kate: “Wardrobe fresheners can be bulky, lose their effectiveness over time and can become a source of unwanted odours. They may not be worth the space they take up, so consider decluttering them. If you want an alternative, consider using sachets filled with natural materials such as lavender or cedar chips, as these take up much less space.”
If you’re looking to deodorise rather than apply fragrance, another option is to place a ramekin filled with bicarb in your wardrobe. This will actively deodorise by neutralising acidic and alkaline odour molecules in the air, and it will last up to three months at a time.
4. Anything you haven’t worn in a year
We all have items we hang on to just because they’re too nice to let go. But, if you’re not wearing it, it’s ultimately taking up space and no longer serves a purpose. According to Emma Kenwrick-Meehan, professional orgainser from Home Nip and Tuck: “If you haven’t reached for it in the past 12 months, chances are you never will. A good rule of thumb is to ask yourself: ‘Would I buy this again today?’ If not, it’s time to let it go.”
If you’re holding on to items that don’t fit you anymore, consider how they’re making you feel about your body. Removing them might make you feel more positive when selecting an outfit each day. Likewise, anything that still has the tag in it either doesn’t fit, you’ve forgotten about it or an opportunity hasn’t come up where you can wear it. If you think you will likely wear it now, give it a chance by rearranging your wardrobe, so you can easily see and access all of your options. If it still goes unworn, you can always sell it on.
Unwanted clothes that are in good condition can be donated to charity or you can try selling it via eBay or Vinted. For anything that’s well-worn or damaged, some local authorities accept clothes and textiles for recycling. Check recyclenow.com for details.
Amazon Basics Vacuum Storage Bags
NIIMBOT Label Maker Machine
Total Wardrobe Care Natural Chrysanthemum Spray
Philips Steam & Go Garment Steamer
Amazon Basics Slim, Velvet Clothes Hangers
Iris Ohyama Plastic Storage Boxes
5. Odd socks
No matter how careful we are, a sock always seems to go missing in the wash. In the end, you’re left with a drawer filled with singletons, which you must dig through to find the closest match. Emma continues: “If they’ve lost their pair, they’ve lost their purpose (unless you’re happy wearing odd socks!). You can repurpose them as dusting mitts, DIY draught stoppers or even use them to protect delicate items in storage. But if they’re just cluttering your drawer, it’s time to say goodbye.”
Odd socks can be particularly useful for slipping between the blinds to dust off the slats. They’re also great for dusting houseplants and removing cobwebs around the home, too.
6. Old cedar balls
If you’ve dealt with a moth problem in the past, you might still have some old cedar balls hanging in the wardrobe – a fragrance that naturally deters moths. Moving them may seem risky, just in case the problem returns, but according to Emma, cedar balls will eventually expire: “Over time, they lose their natural scent and effectiveness at repelling moths. To restore them, lightly sand the surface every six to 12 months with fine sandpaper to release the oils again. If they’re too old, replace them with fresh ones. Storing them in an airtight container when not in use can also help preserve their potency.”
If you’re concerned about moths, it’s a good idea to keep your wardrobe well ventilated (decluttering can help with that!), dry (avoid humidity) and clean (moths are attracted to sweat and food residue). You can also spritz anti-moth sprays in your wardrobe, such as Total Wardrobe Care’s Linen Spray. Clothes Doctor’s Knitwear Mist can also be applied directly to your woollens.
7. Shoes that hurt
We all have at least one pair of shoes we’ve purchased and worn once or twice, only to discover they rub like crazy and can’t be endured. They look so nice and new still that they just sit in our wardrobes, taking up precious space on the shoe rack.
According to Vicky Silverthorn, professional organiser at You Need a Vicky: “Shoes that hurt have zero space in anyone’s wardrobe – it doesn’t matter how pretty they are! My younger self sabotaged many an evening out by choosing fashion over comfort, but no way, never again, EVER! There’s no fun in blisters and sore feet.”
Reserve your shoe rack only for the shoes you wear regularly. The others can be either donated or sold. If you wear all the shoes on your shoe rack but could use a little extra room, a shoe organiser is great for doubling the available space. But bear in mind, these won’t work so well for high heels or larger boots.
8. Sentimental items
Most wardrobes still hold a memory or two – whether it’s a bridesmaid dress, a floor-length gown from your prom or even a bag that’s been passed on to you – but your wardrobe shouldn’t be overloaded with such items.
Vicky continues: “Are you holding on to clothes purely for sentimental reasons? Some pieces may be worth keeping, especially if you plan to pass them down — like the dress you got engaged in, which your daughter might cherish one day. However, be mindful of the quantity. A small selection is perfectly fine, but labelling something as sentimental just because you’ve had it for a long time deserves a second thought. There’s a difference between meaningful keepsakes and simply holding on to the past. (Also remember if you have a photograph of something, it sparks the same memory as the item itself!)”
Sentimental items are some of the most difficult to declutter – the emotional response and memories they trigger gives them more meaning. It’s definitely worth hanging on to some, but be selective and decide which have the most meaning. Someone else in your family might be interested to take one or two items off your hands. And if they get some use out of it, you’ll see it more regularly than you would in the back of your wardrobe.
9. Unwanted gifts
It’s always difficult when you’re given a gift you don’t really want. And if there’s no gift receipt or exchange options, it can sit in the wardrobe for some time, for fear of upsetting the gift-giver.
However, Vicky advises: “Unwanted gifts belong in someone else’s hands, not taking up space in your wardrobe. It’s up to you if you resell or gift to charity, but people understand we change and update our clothing, so any good friend will understand if it’s not there for ever. Use this as a lesson and think about how you could potentially ask people next time to not buy you clothes if you prefer choosing your own. No one wants to waste money.”
For the same reason, if you buy things for others, always ask for a gift receipt so they can swap it over if needed. Alternatively, a gift voucher lets them choose what they want instead.
10. Unwanted storage solutions
We’ve mentioned a few storage solutions in this feature, but you shouldn’t invest in it without checking its suitability. If unused, storage solutions can take up precious space and contribute to clutter.
Vicky says: “Unnecessary storage has no place in wardrobes. Adding storage should enhance a space, so if you’ve chosen a basket or piece of storage in error and it isn’t working, get rid and rethink (not forgetting to measure up!).”
It’s always best to declutter before you invest in storage solutions. That way, it’s improving the available space, rather than providing unnecessary room for unneeded items. Think about what your wardrobe really needs before you make a purchase, and measure it out to make sure it’ll fit.
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