*Knock, knock*
Spring is here! And you know what that means - it's time for some spring cleaning! And what better place to start than your closet?
As the weather warms up, it's time to pack away those heavy winter clothes and bring out the shorts, t-shirts, and sandals. But cleaning out your closet can feel like a daunting task.
Don't worry, though - we've got you covered!
In today's post, we'll take you through a step-by-step guide on how to clean out your closet effectively, so you can easily find what you're looking for in the morning and start your day feeling refreshed.
Step 1: Empty Your Closet
Start by taking everything out of your closet. This will give you a clear idea of what you own and what needs to go. As you remove each item, give your closet a good vacuum and dust to start with a clean slate.
Step 2: Sort Your Clothes
Separate your clothes into three piles: keep, maybe, and get rid of. The keep pile should include items that you wear regularly and love. The maybe pile should include items that you're not sure about and need to try on again. The get rid of pile should include items that you no longer, doesn't fit you anymore, or pieces that may be damaged or stained but can no longer be saved.
Step 3: Organize What You Want to Keep
Now that you have a pile of clothes that you want to keep, start organizing them back into your closet. Keep in mind the most accessible items should be the ones you wear the most. Consider organizing by color, category, or occasion. This will make it easier to find what you need when you're getting dressed.
Step 4: Reevaluate Your Maybe Pile
After organizing your closet and deciding what to do with the clothes you want to get rid of, it's time to reevaluate your maybe pile. Try on the clothes again and ask yourself the following questions:
1. Does this fit me?
2. Is it in good condition (or if it's not, can it be fixed)?
3. Does this align with your personal style?
4. Do I have anything to wear this with?
5. Did I wear this in the last year
6. Can I see myself actually wearing this multiple times in the future?
7. Do I love it?
If you answered no to the last four questions, re-evaluate your relationship with this piece and see if there is any way you can upcycle it or style it to turn your answer into a yes (maybe even ask a fashionable friend for help!) If there's no hope in changing your answer, then get rid of it.
If you answered no to the first three questions, get rid of it.
Out of sight, out of mind!
I know some pieces may be sentimental to us in value, which can definitely make it hard to get rid of things. I am a pretty sentimental person myself! If this is the case, hold onto it until you are ready to truly let it go and part ways, but also ask yourself realistically how much you still need it.
Step 5: Decide What to Do With the Clothes You Want to Get Rid of
For the clothes you want to get rid of, decide if you want to upcycle, swap, sell, or donate them. Upcycling allows you to take your old old clothes and turn them into something new, such as cutting up old t-shirts to make cleaning rags or turning them into dog toys. Swapping clothes with friends or at a local swap event is a fun another fun alternative to prolong your old clothing's life, or if you want to make some extra cash, selling your clothes online through platforms like Poshmark or Depop can be another great option. And finally, donating clothes to local charities or thrift stores you trust can give your clothes a second life on top of helping those in need.
By following these five steps, you can clean out your closet and refresh your wardrobe while preventing your clothes from ending up in the landfill. Remember to be mindful of your consumption and only keep what you truly love and wear!
Happy spring cleaning! ♡
xoxo,
P.S. If you still can't bring yourself to clean out your closet, you can also hire a personal wardrobe stylist like me to do it for you! 😉