Clutter Free Closets: The Magic of Sorting

When it comes time to organize your closet, the task can seem insurmountable. That is especially true of big walk-in closets or closets that have not been cleaned out in years or longer. After all, if you have been adding and adding to your wardrobe without ever stopping to consider how your closet can handle all of those clothes, it may be hard to know what to do with everything you own.

Here are some simple tips to help you get your closets organized and keep them that way. Follow this guide and you will be on your way to a cleaner clearer home in no time.

Sort it All Out

The first step in any organizational project is to take a step back and look at the bigger picture. Chances are by this point that you have so many outfits in your closet that you do not even remember buying some of them.

It might sound like a little bit of a headache, but once you start looking through each of your outfits one at a time, you will find that the process is going quicker than you expected. You may even find that you are having fun rediscovering old outfits and refining your style at the same time.

The same goes for shoes, and anything else you might have collected in your closet over the years.

It really does not take very long to toss your things into either a “wear” or “do not wear” pile, which brings us to our next step.

Consider Giving Your Unworn Clothes to Charity…

Once you have a better idea of what you will and will not wear going forward, it becomes a little bit easier to part ways with the outfits that have been creating clutter in your closets for years.

One quick way to get rid of your unwanted clothes is to take them down to the local Goodwill or Salvation Army store and unload them. The people you have helped will appreciate your generosity, and you can leave the donation center with both a clean conscience and closet.

…or Sell Them

If donating clothes is not your scene, or if you are strapped for cash yourself, you can always earn a quick buck flipping your unwanted outfits. Sites like eBay and Craigslist allow you to quickly and efficiently get rid of your unworn clothes and make a little bit of money at the same time. This can be an especially attractive approach if you once wore a lot of designer clothing.

Strike While the Iron is Hot

Have you ever taken a minute to stop and wonder exactly why your closet is so cluttered? The fact is, you have probably thought about cleaning it out before. But if you do not make the move as soon as the inspiration strikes, chances are you will never get around to cleaning out that closet.

If you find yourself with a free minute (like right now, for example) take a stroll to your closet and get a start one your sorting. Even if you cannot do all of it today, a start is better than nothing. And Rome was not built in a day.

Clean

Once your closet is nice and empty, it is not time to fill it back up right away. Take this opportunity to dust and vacuum, especially in cases of a big walk-in closet. It probably is not every day that your closet is entirely empty, and making sure it gets cleaned now will keep your clothes from accumulating dust and attracting moths.

It does not take much, but a quick vacuuming session and fast wipe down are all it takes to keep your closet looking good well into the future.

Rinse and Repeat

If after all of this time you find that your wardrobe is still more crowded than you want it to be, try running through these steps again. You probably already found out that they do not take all that long, and emptying out your storage space has likely left you a little bit less stressed than before you started.

Keep it Up

Lastly, remember that upkeep is never done. Keep vigilant with your closet and make sure it does not get too overcrowded again. An occasional sorting session is all it takes to keep your closet in tip-top shape.