I love cleaning out my closet. I did as a kid, I did as a teenager, and I do now as an adult.
As a kid, I remember pulling EVERYTHING off the shelves, so it was a bit of a disaster in my room any day I cleaned it out. It was one of those situations where things had to get worse before they got better. I remember being so satisfied that it often seemed like all my CDs had just the perfect amount of space for fitting where I wanted them to go.
Now that I’m an adult, when the piles of tops get too messy, out they all come for a better fold and a tidied stack. Everything has a place, and it not only makes sense but also looks good.
That’s what we’re going for here today.You deserve a closet where it’s easy to find exactly what you want, without having to dig through hangers and hangers of items you never even wear.
We’re going to walk you through how to spruce up your closet, from what to get rid of right away to how to organize the rest that is worth keeping.
Things to Toss From Your Closet Without Hesitation
Photo: Esra Erdem / PexelsA closet’s function is to hold all your stuff. So, naturally, stuff tends to accumulate there. That doesn’t mean that everything in your closet belongs there.
It can be hard to get rid of your items. Some items may look like junk, and let’s be real, some of them actually are junk! Every now and then that junk may hold sentimental value as a piece of art your child drew for you or as a memento from a favorite trip. If those items really are special to you, don’t feel like you need to get rid of them.
Other items you may hang onto out of sheer hope, like your favorite skirt that you just know you can fit into again after a dedicated diet. That emotional weight is not worth looking at every day. It may be time to let it go.Let’s chat about it.
Damaged or Stained Clothing
Photo: Letícia Alvares / PexelsKeep one pair of old jeans and a T-shirt or two, sure! You do need something to wear when you work out in the yard or when you next paint the bedroom walls that you don’t have to worry about getting ruined or stained.
On the other hand, no one needs a bunch of ripped, torn, faded, or permanently stained clothes. It doesn’t matter how comfortable they are. It’s time those items moved on and left your closet.
Items You Haven’t Worn in a Year or More
Photo: Nazmul Alam Badhom / PexelsSometimes we hold onto items we don’t wear very often “just in case.” You may need to keep an event dress or two that don’t get worn very often, but everyday items that have passed a whole season cycle or entire year without a wear or two can go.
Clothes That Don’t Fit Right Now
Photo: Berna / PexelsMy friends and I joke about how we have three different, albeit small, wardrobes: one for while we’re pregnant, one for when we’re nursing, and one for when we’re just “normal.” Within a year, we may use all of these items, so it feels justified.
All bodies change constantly, and that’s completely normal, even good! But confronting the items you’ve been holding onto for years, just waiting for that time you’ll be able to squeeze into them again can be emotional!
That jumper you love at the store is just that, a jumper. A jumper you’ve had for years that makes you feel like Kathleen Kelly in You’ve Got Mail and has seen you at your emotional best suddenly carries with it memories and the feelings you had about yourself and your body at that time.
Separating the items from the feelings should feel easy, but it’s not.If you have to do that over and over again during a closet clean out, it can be draining, so give yourself a pat on the back. You’re good just as you are, whether you love your body just as it is or whether you’re smaller or bigger than you’d like to be.
If you have items that require losing or gaining five pounds, hold onto them! But if you have a whole stash of shoes that pinch your feet or things that would take a huge physical shift, let them go. Holding onto those items just breeds frustration and clutter.
Plus, if you do make a big physical change, getting to purchase a few new pieces can be part of the fun!
Impulse Buys With Tags Still On
Photo: Anastasia Shuravea / PexelsI’m not an impulsive buyer, but I shouldn’t trust myself to shop online late at night when I’m tired. When I was in the throes of postpartum with our last baby, I made a two a.m. purchase for an accidental subscription to over $100 worth of electrolyte packets.
I know. Insane.
The next time the automated order came in on my subscription, I genuinely had no idea what it was and I had to call the company to cancel the order and my subscription.
The point is, we all make impulse buys that don’t always make sense. Instead of holding onto the guilt, return those sweaters that still have their tags on. If you’ve passed the return window, sell them or donate them.
Dry Cleaning Bags and Empty Boxes
Photo: Cup of Couple / PexelsYou may use a shoe box every now and then to wrap a present, but all the extra containers take up incredible amounts of space in your closet. There’s no fighting this one. Get rid of the boxes and junk.
Things That Aren’t Your Style Anymore
Photo: Khezez / PexelsStyles change, just like our bodies do. Especially if you’re someone who follows trends, you may find your closet full of items that need refreshing every few years. Even if you follow classic, timeless looks, some items may just not feel like “you” anymore.There is no reason to hold onto those items. Kick ’em out.
Freebies
Photo: RDNE Stock project / PexelsI swear that the majority of shirts in my husband’s wardrobe are free T-shirts, whether from his old work or from college. Sometimes he wears them, but not all of them.Swag bags, T-shirts, or even items friends have passed along to you can be generous and just what you need. More often than not, they’re just trinkets cluttering up your space that you’ll never wear or use. It’s time to let someone else enjoy them.
Things That Would Be More Expensive to Repair Than to Replace
Photo: Markus Spiske / UnsplashI have this beautiful 100% wool coat that used to be my great grandma’s. She didn’t wear it much before she died, so it came to me in excellent condition. I wear it almost every day as soon as the weather gets chilly. It looks beautiful, keeps me warm, and helps me feel a little more pulled together.
Unfortunately, with all that wear, the lining of the coat has started to shred. I can feel the spot in the coat pocket lining where my ring must rub every time I try to drop something inside or take it out. It’s turned into a bunch of loose strings.
When the lining started to go, I looked into how much it would cost to replace the lining, and my heart sank. It was not cheap; it could cost about the same amount as buying a new coat altogether.I’m going to keep making due and wearing the coat until there is no possible way I can. Then it’ll be time to say goodbye to my faithful coat.
If you have things hanging in your closet that you can’t repair yourself or that would be extremely expensive to fix, it’s time to donate them.
Formal Outfits You’ve Only Worn Once
Photo: Alexander Mass / UnsplashBefore you get defensive, I’m not saying to get rid of your wedding dress or your tuxedo. I’m not even saying you need to toss your sparkly event dress.
I am saying that if you have formal outfits you have no reason to wear again, consider clearing them out. The mother-of-the-bride outfit that doesn’t repurpose well. The high school dance dress your granddaughter is never going to want to wear, even if it’s considered vintage. The bedazzled heels that you’d never wear to church.
What To Do With Items You No Longer Need in Your Closet
Photo: ERIND DERSTILA / PexelsWhen you clean out your closet, don’t just throw all your items into a trash bag and take them out to the dumpster! Use a system that serves you, your budget, and the planet! Donate, swap, repair, repurpose, or sell.
Donate
Photo: RDNE Stock project / PexelsFor everyday items that hold no sentimental value, set them aside to take to the nearest Goodwill or your local thrift store.
Swap
Photo: Maude Frédérique Lavoie / UnsplashSwaps are one of the best ways to get rid of items you don’t need. Whether you hold one in your kitchen on a Saturday morning with just a few friends or you have an all-out swap with your church congregation, swaps help you donate items while also getting the satisfaction of seeing that your friend or neighbor loves your items too.
Repair
Photo: Alexander Grey / UnsplashI know we’re talking about getting rid of items in your closet, but first make sure that you can’t fix your clothes. Darning small holes is simple, even for beginning sewers. A rip in the seam takes only a few minutes to fix.If your clothes are worth keeping and just need a little fix, do the work and then stick them back on the hanger.
Repurpose
Photo: Jonathan Adams / UnsplashSome items really should leave your closet forever, but they may be useful elsewhere in your house. Raggedy towels may have plenty of life when cut up into rags. Dad’s old button-up shirt in that great pattern could be sewn into fun pants for your neighbor’s toddler. Get crafty!
Sell
Photo: Katya Azimova / UnsplashFor trendy or high-end clothing, try selling them online. It’s easy to upload your items to Poshmark, ThredUp, Depop, or even Facebook Marketplace. Making a little extra money is great for you, and keeping your clothes from the landfill is great for the planet.
Items In Your Closet to Keep but Reorganize
Photo: Julia Zyablova / UnsplashSome of the things in your closet make sense but don’t need to take up space there year round. Here are some items you may reorganize and move elsewhere.
Bulky Coats and Winter Gear
Photo: Jonas Thomann / PexelsMost homes and apartments have a coat closet. Don’t reserve that space just to hang up guests’ jackets and coats. Store your heavy parkas and other winter gear away. Your scarves, winter boots, and gloves could go in a bin while your coats hang ready for the cold days.
Extra Bedding
Photo: Peter Vang / PexelsSome people like to have seasonal bedding. Cotton for the hot months and warmer options, like flannel sheets or a thicker comforter, when the chill sets in. Most of us have a few extra pillows for if guests come to stay. That bedding is cozy, but it shouldn’t take up space in your bedroom closet. Fold them carefully and store them away in a linen closet or stick them in a storage bin under the bed.
Out-of-Season Attire
Photo: Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 / UnsplashI don’t have a full winter wardrobe that’s different from my summer wardrobe. Sometimes I’ll just wear my short-sleeve tops under sweaters, for example. But there are definitely items we could all store away seasonally that just aren’t functional to wear year round. Box up what you aren’t going to wear this season and place it on a high shelf out of the way.
Wire and Flimsy Plastic Hangers
Photo: Diana ✨ / PexelsOne of the consistent guidelines from the home experts, including the likes of Martha Stewart, for an organized closet is to have consistent, slim hangers. Opt for strong plastic, velvet, or wood hangers, and reserve a few sturdier options for items like suits. You’d be shocked how much room you clear up just by having a linear hanging situation.
Luggage
Photo: Vlada Karpovich / PexelsOur son has a massive walk-in closet, and he doesn’t use up much of the space, so our luggage currently lives in his closet. We save a lot of space stacking them inside one another like Russian nesting dolls. Totes and handbags go inside carryons which go inside larger suitcases. Luggage is something you may even pop in the attic.
What Cleaning Out Your Closet Can Do For You
Photo: Aleksandra Dementeva / UnsplashCleaning out your closet can be emotional, but it can be a huge boost! Reducing physical clutter and letting go of old items can reduce visual stimulus and help you ditch emotional baggage. You get to clarify your image, and live a little more intentionally. Plus, you may find you have duplicates you can get rid of or gaps you can fill for a more functional wardrobe.
So add value to your community by donating your gently used items or add a little money to your wallet by selling that gorgeous necklace you’re never going to wear.
Then next time you go shop, you can think to yourself, “Am I going to be wearing this in six months?” Huzzah for intentional living and buying!
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