The Six-Step Secret to a Complete Closet Cleanout
Closet cleanouts are kind of my thing. In fact, they’re a huge part of what I do for a living, and they’re often the most challenging. The process requires my clients to be extremely honest about what clothes they’ve outgrown, where they are in their lives, and why they’re holding on to certain items.
I’ve broken out the process into six steps, but, like I said, this isn’t an easy task. A lot of what I provide when I work with my clients is the necessary manual labor, the motivation to stay on task, and the support needed to make tough choices. Can you do this by yourself? Of course! But, it will help to have a partner.
Step 1: Mark Your Calendar
A complete closet cleanout will take the better part of a weekend, so make sure to keep your schedule clear from Saturday morning to evening, and again on Sunday. I also make a trip on Friday night to a place like Bed, Bath & Beyond to search for closet solutions for my clients (e.g., storage for belts, shoes, handbags, etc.) Felt hangers are a must!
Get a good night's sleep on Friday–you’ll need all your energy for step 2…
Step 2: Take Everything Out
On Saturday morning, completely empty your closet. I usually put a flat sheet on top of my bedspread to protect it from dust, and then I start piling it all on. Make a huge pile and try to keep everything on or near your bed. If you put things in other rooms, you may forget about them!
Step 3: Clean the Inside
Take out the Swiffer, the Windex, the Pledge, or whatever products you prefer, and do a deep clean of your closet shelves, rods, etc. Put in the time to clean it all–windows, floors, mirrors, jewelry displays. This is your opportunity to get to spots that you normally wouldn’t be able to reach.
Step 4: Sort Everything Into Smaller Piles
This is, without a doubt, the hardest step, and it’s where a friend can really come in handy. As you pull each item off the larger pile on your bed, ask yourself: “Does this still fit? Is this still my style? When was the last time I wore it? Is it stained, ripped or unrepairable?”
It definitely helps to think about who you are today and the image you want to project. You really want to do this right? Try on everything. See how it looks and how it feels when it’s on. Then, divide your big pile into five smaller piles:
The “Keep” Pile – Items that are new, fit well, and/or represent your personal brand.
The “Fix” Pile – Items that you still want to keep, but need to be altered or dry cleaned.
The “Donate” Pile – Items that no longer fit you or your style, or items you no longer wear for whatever reason, but are in good, wearable condition, free of imperfections. This also includes shoes, jewelry, handbags and home goods.
The “Recycling” Pile – Items that you were considering donating, but have rips, stains, or are in otherwise poor condition. This also includes underwear and bathing suits.
The “Sentimental” Pile – Items that you may no longer wear, but have sentimental value (a family heirloom, a favorite t-shirt, a special occasion dress, etc.). For these items, you’ll want to get a nice box or chest.
Where and how can you recycle your clothes? For denim, Levi’s has partnered with Cotton to create www.bluejeansgogreen.org–they accept any old pair of blue jeans and turn them into housing insulation.
Additionally, Reformation is at the forefront of sustainable fashion. Their recycling program–a partnership with thredUP–allows you to either sell or donate your old clothes. If you choose to sell, you will receive Reformation credit for future purchases. If you donate, thredUP donates $5 to the Circular Fashion Fund, which seeks to increase the circularity of fashion production.
Step 5: Refine Your “Keep” Pile
Take one more look to make sure that the items you’re putting back in your closet are worthy of that valuable real estate. Then, when placing items back in your closet, do it in a way that makes sense. Your most frequently worn items should be in front and easy to reach. Your sentimental box should be tucked away neatly. I like to organize everything by color and sleeve length, and have all the hangers facing forward. I typically don’t separate winter and summer clothing, as you can often incorporate summer pieces with layering options, which expands your wardrobe options.
This is also when you’ll begin to realize where your closet could use a little more organization–you may need to make a second trip to Bed, Bath & Beyond.
Step 6: Get Rid of Your Donations and Recyclables
Here’s where having someone like me help you can really come in handy–I take care of this step for my clients. Personally, I partner with national non-profits such as Dress for Success and Soles4Souls, but I also give to my local community and church groups. I recommend you do some quick research to find causes that are close to you and then call them to see what kinds of items they’re looking for at the moment.
It’s an Ongoing Process…
The good news is, if you’ve made it this far, you should have a wonderfully organized closet! The not-so-good news is that this is really a never-ending process. As you enjoy your new closet, you may discover that you’re not wearing some items as much as you thought you would. I like to apply “The One-Year Rule.” If it’s been a year since your last closet cleanout, and you still haven’t worn an item it’s time to let it go. How do you know how long it’s been? After you’ve worn an item, place it back into the closet facing the opposite way. After a few months, see what items haven’t been worn yet and decide if you still want to keep them.
In addition, continue to try to purge items as you purchase new ones. This helps you keep your closet from becoming cluttered again. This is especially true if you’re buying a replacement item–don’t keep both the old one and the new.
Remember, this can be an overwhelming process, so if the thought of doing it all at once is just too much, try to make it part of your daily routine. When getting dressed, decide right then and there if an item should stay in your closet. Consider putting a donation box in your room and empty it every month.
Of course, if you want to experience a professional closet cleanout, reach out to me today!