It’s tempting to think a cluttered closet is a result of not having enough storage space. Unfortunately, more space typically leads to more clutter.
Keeping your closet clutter-free may not be the most fun way to spend your afternoon, but it is rewarding. Read on to learn how to declutter your closet for good.
How to Declutter Your Closet in Stages
Decluttering a messy closet is too much to take on at once. You may start with a burst of energy, dragging everything out across your bed and floor. Inevitably, your energy will wan, and you are left with the mess.
What happens next is predictable, you jam everything back in your closet, leaving it in worse shape than before. You may have gotten rid of some things, but your lack of plan didn’t create any real organization.
Instead, take your cleaning in stages.
Quick Cleanup
You can start the cleanup process during the week, in the evening, or any time you have just a few minutes. It’s best that you do this step when you don’t have too much time to prevent overthinking.
Grab anything that is an obvious “no” and get it out of there. If you hesitate over an item, leave it for now. This is just for obvious choices.
Pull By Category
Grab all your work shirts. Next, pants. Repeat the process until you have worked your way through your entire wardrobe.
The magic of this is that you are always close to a stopping point. If you get halfway through sorting shoes and lose steam, just tell yourself you can finish your shoes and quit for the day.
When you come back another day, you’ll have a fresh set of eyes and enthusiasm.
Look at Each Piece
Some pieces are easy to decide on. If you wear it regularly, keep it. Other items are more challenging. If you don’t wear something often, why? If it uncomfortable, doesn’t fit well, or you just don’t care for it, get rid of it.
If the reason you don’t wear something often is that it only works for certain occasions, keep it if you like it. However, think of somewhere you can store these items where they aren’t in the way of clothes you wear daily.
Pare Without Regret
Don’t like it? Get rid of it. Maybe learn a lesson going forward when shopping, but don’t hold onto something just because you think you should.
Have Containers for Donations
Have a bin for items you plan to donate. The goal is nothing should be left in a pile waiting for a new home. It goes back in the closet, in the donation bin, or in the trash.
Have a Plan for What You Get Rid Of
Speaking of trash, have a plan for that. If you are getting rid of only a few things, you can probably manage them with your regular pickup. However, more than that and you may want to arrange for trash removal.
You can look here now for more information on that.
Clean Your Closet
This means vacuuming or sweeping, dusting around the shelving, and otherwise keeping it tidy. This is a powerful incentive to prevent junk from piling up again.
Maintenance is Everything
After decluttering your closet once, be ruthless going forward. Hate how something feels? Sole coming loose on a shoe?
Keep a donation bin on the floor of your closet and don’t hesitate to get rid of something that doesn’t work for you.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
When you wonder how to declutter your closet, you may feel overwhelmed. Invite a friend over to help. The job will go faster and you can return the favor.
Looking for more ways to organize and declutter? Check out some more articles on the site for additional tips and tricks.
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