Introduction
Very few of us come home from work at the end of the day and put all our clothes exactly where they belong. Similarly, many of us simply leave the half-a-dozen shirts we tried in the morning before settling on the perfect one in a pile on our closet floor.
Initially, it's not that big of a deal. But a week or a month passes, and suddenly, the closet is the most overwhelming space in your home. Sounds familiar?
Well, it seems like it's time for a closet cleanout. Channel your inner Marie Kondo, and let's get started.
How to Clean Out Your Closet: 5 Steps
When you have to declutter your space, it's important to take it step by step. Otherwise, the decluttering session will turn into a chaotic mess, and you'll end up with more clutter in your wardrobe.
Luckily, you don't need a course on closet organization for this. We've got you covered.
Step 1: Create a Closet Organization Schedule
First, create a general schedule. Let's say you plan to organize your closet every two months.
Now for the specifics: how much time do you need to declutter? You don't want to sit with the clutter for hours. Most, if not all, of us share the experience of sitting on the floor with a pant or a dress we wore on that one special day that still takes us back to memories, and then three hours pass by.
Can you relate? You’ll benefit from putting a timer on your phone. Set a time limit and try to finish the job in it.
Step 2: Empty Out Your Closet
Take all the clothes out of the closet. Bring the hangers out, too. Now, keep everything on the floor or the bed.
An empty closet gives you a visual of how much space you have. You can then decide where everything will go once you put it back in. Also, since everything is outside, you know you can't give up until you're done.
While you're at it, give your closet a quick clean. A quick wipe with a damp cloth or vacuuming will do.
Step 3: Sort Your Clothes
It's purge time. If you have separate baskets or large boxes, you can use them to separate your clothes. Alternatively, create piles on the floor at some distance from each other.
The three piles you need to create are:
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Toss pile
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Keep pile
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Donate pile
That one shirt that's only good as a rag now goes in the toss pile; the gorgeous dress you wore only once but have been holding onto for five years goes in the donate pile. As for everything you plan to wear, it will be in the keep pile.
Marie Kondo says if it doesn't spark joy, it leaves. We'll make it a little more practical by giving you one question to ask while sorting: "Have I worn this in the past year?"
''Yes'' would take the item to the keep pile, while ''no'' would send it to the donate pile.
Also, get rid of clothes that don't fit you anymore. If you have multiples of the same item, keep only one that fits you well and donate the rest. Similarly, if your personal style has changed, let go of items that no longer suit you.
Step 4: Sort the Keep Pile
The keep pile needs another sorting session. To make it easier, here are some categories you can use:
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Everyday wear (t-shirts, jeans, etc.)
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Special occasion wear (formal dresses, suits, etc.)
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Seasonal wear (heavy coats, etc.)
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Pajamas
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Sportswear
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Undergarments
Since you're already in the process of closet cleanout, this is a good time to make changes to your wardrobe. For instance, if you want to maintain a capsule wardrobe, decide on the number of items you will keep for each category. Let go of excess clothes and items you haven't worn in a while.
Sentimental items, like that one sweater from your high school days or a souvenir t-shirt from a memorable vacation, can go in a separate ''sentimental'' pile. Get a plastic bin or organizer to store them.
Step 5: Put Everything Back in the Closet
Now, it's time for every item to go back into the closet. Choose a shelf for your everyday wear and organize it by type. Hang your special occasion wear neatly, making sure the sleeves and collars are aligned.
For seasonal wear, you can store them in boxes or vacuum-sealed bags to save space. You can get a shoe rack for your shoes to tidy up floor space. Trust us; you'll feel good once you take a look at your decluttered closet.
7 Tips to Keep Your Closet Clean
After the closet cleanout is done, the next step is to keep your closet looking this neat and organized for a while. Here's how.
Adopt Minimalism
We're not saying live with two white shirts and a pair of pants. But it's time to embrace the ''less is more'' philosophy.
While shopping, be mindful of your purchases and avoid buying things simply because they're currently trendy. Invest in timeless clothing items that you can wear for years to come.
Donate Clothes
Visit donation centers such as Goodwill, Salvation Army, or give to local clothing drives to give away your unwanted clothes. If you don't have the time to go to a donation center, and you partner with Rinse, you can use our services to donate your clothes to those in need. Simply put your clothes in a non-Rinse bag, and we'll come pick it up.
The ''one thing in, one thing out'' rule helps. If you buy something new, one thing from your closet has to go.
Get Better Storage Solutions
Your closet could look like a war zone if you don't have the right storage solutions. Invest in storage bins, hangers, shelves, and organizers to keep things tidy.
Do a Regular Review
Don't wait till the end of the year to declutter your closet. Donate and discard clothes you don't need regularly.
Use the hanger trick to find clothes for donation. Basically, you arrange your clothes in a way that all hangers face the same way. When you wear something, you turn the hanger around when you hang the item back. After a few months, you can donate the clothes that still have hangers facing the original direction.
Rotate Your Wardrobe
As you transition to different seasons, rotate your wardrobe. Store seasonal clothing in boxes or bags and bring them out when needed. Doing this is especially helpful if you have limited closet space.
Invest in Quality Hangers
The hanger breaks, and now there's a dress on the closet floor; it happens to a lot of us. Say goodbye to flimsy plastic hangers. Instead, use sturdy hangers to keep your clothes in place.
Keep Everyday Items Within Reach
If you have to dig through a drawer to find your everyday clothes, it's time to rearrange. Part of the reason the closet gets so messy is that the most frequently used items aren't easily accessible. Keep your special occasion clothes at the back and everyday ones in the front.
Do the same with your gym wear and office attire. Whichever clothes you find yourself reaching for the most should be within easy reach.
Elevate Your Wardrobe Care: Try Rinse Today!
Besides cleaning, another aspect of closet maintenance is ensuring all clothes are in pristine condition. But what if you don't have the time to wash your clothes four different ways because the care labels say so? Simple: you send them to Rinse.
Our laundry experts know the proper care for all fabrics, making sure your clothes come out stain-free. Similarly, our dry cleaning practices keep your special outfits in good shape.
All we need from you is a bag filled with your dirty clothes. We'll take it from there — washing, drying, ironing, and folding. Schedule your first pickup to experience laundry bliss.
Contact us at Rinse today to see our skill in action.
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