5 step closet clean out
There is no such thing as perfect timing for cleaning out your closet, but if it’s been over a year…. the time has come!
Whether it’s spring cleaning or a wardrobe reset, now is the perfect time for a complete closet clean out. Now I will acknowledge that I know that I am one in a few who actually enjoys doing this shit - it’s the instant gratification for this girl.
On my podcast this week I mention how completing a closet cleanse was a big step of my selflove journey. Getting ready should be fun, not shameful. I personally go through my closet about every 3 months because I hate wasting space and I hate having clothes that do not fit me. When I shard my last clean out, it made me so sad to see so many messages about women who are AFRAID to do this. Not because of the time but because they are afraid to see how many pieces of clothes no longer fit them. If you can relate, I recommend going and checking out my latest episode as I share some tips on what I do to help love and accept my body a little better every day.
Signs it’s time for a closet cleanse:
You can’t find items in your closet because it’s too messy.
You always have a pile (or two) of clothes on your closet or bedroom floors
You are stressed the hell out looking at your closet
Your drawers or closet doors don’t close
You know you have items of clothing that are too small or too big.
If you said yes to any of those, it’s time to clean out your closet gf. To help make time a little more enjoyable, throw on Morgan Wallens new album or listen to your fav podcasts.
Here are 5 tips I can give ya to make your closet cleanse a little less stressful! Let’s scroll.
Set dedicated time aside
The hardest part is just getting started. Whether you decide to dedicate an entire weekend to the project, or just 20 minutes a day, make a plan and stick to it. Be realistic about your time. I personally recommend getting it done in one time frame so you don’t create excuses of why you can’t finish it.
Tip: Have your boxes, bags or totes out and ready before starting your cleanse so your donations or recyclables don’t end up sitting on the floor for as long as you had your high school underwear.
2. Clear it on out
People say to clear everything out at once but that personally gives me anxiety. I like to go through each section at a time so it’s not as overwhelming. It’s going to get worse before it gets better.
Tip: When you are putting your closet back together, put your clothing items in sections. Tank tops, short sleeves, long sleeves, etc. It will make getting ready faster because you know where everything is AND it will help organize your next clean out easier.
3. Clean
I don’t mean the clothes part; I mean your actual closet. When’s the last time you’ve dusted/wiped down the shelving or vacuumed the floor under the clothing rod closest to the floor?
4. Keep, donate or trash
This is where we gotta be a little ruthless and honest with yourself. Clothes typically have emotion or memories tied to them but they are no longer needed. This also means your pajama and undies drawer! Here are some questions to ask yourself while you create your 3 piles.
Would I buy this again right now?
When is the last time I wore this?
Do I have a better option?
How many do I have?
Donate wearable items such as:
If it’s a fantasy piece: “I will fit into it again one day.”
Pieces you didn’t wear all last season.
You have 5 of the same white button downs in the same size.
You don’t like the fabric.
Reminder: You can have a sell pile for clothes that you have a hard time parting with fo free. An easy way to make a little extra cash!
Donations: I know Good Will is the first place we think of for donations but I encourage you to do some research locally! There are some really great non-profits to donate like Dress for Success and the Rescue Mission nationwide.
Not sure if you’re ready to part?
If you’re on the fence on whether to keep an item or not, you can create a time-out box. A time-out box is a bit different than a clutter bin, which is for stuff you’ve already decided to get rid of.
Putting things in a time-out box means you set them aside for a set period, around 3-6 months, and then if you don’t find yourself going back to “rescue” the item, you can go ahead and get rid of it.
5. Categorize and personalize
This is the point of the clean out where you come up with a system if you did not have one before. As I mentioned, all of my clothes are sorted by category. I go even a step further and try to keep it organized by color too 🤪
Everything should have a dedicated home that is front and center and easy to see. Jeans with jeans, sweaters with sweaters, etc. The overall aesthetic is important, but the function remains the most important factor for success,
If you have made it to the end, it is time to celebrate LOL Once you have clothes you love and that fit your closet and body, treating these items with care is essential. This means taking the time to hang up or fold clothes properly instead of just throwing them in a drawer or piling them up on the floor!
When you know how to maintain and care for your clothes, they will look great for a lot longer annnd you won’t have to do as many clean outs!
If this helped you in any way, please give this a share and a tag on IG stories and let’s help encourage the women around us to show up as their best damn selves 🙌🏻⚡