The Ultimate Guide to a Successful Closet Cleanout

Whenever you post a Questions and answers box On Instagram, I always get a wave of the same questions. One popular topic is organizing clothes: “How often do you clean out your closet? How do you decide what to keep and what to throw away? What do you do with the things you no longer want?” While I briefly touched on some of these questions in my posts about Organizational favorites and RealI haven’t really focused on closet cleaning solutions.

So today I’m sharing with you all the little details about how I cleaned out my closet! I’ll cover how often I organize, how I decide what to keep and what to throw away, the step-by-step process for cleaning everything, and how I keep my closet clean and organized effectively. I’ll also touch on some of the organizational items I use and love.

Whether you’re eager to start the new year with a fresh start or do a simple mid-year purge, this guide covers everything you’ll need to pull off a successful closet purge!

How often should I clean my closet?

I think the frequency of cleaning your closet depends on your lifestyle and shopping habits. As an avid shopper, I’m committed to cleaning this space at least 6 times a year. Ideally, I like to go through all of my clothes, shoes, and jewelry every couple of months. However, I realize that this may be a lot for the average person.

No matter what your schedule looks like, you should create a rhythm that works for you and stick to it. Keep in mind that if you clean out your closet too often, it will feel like it was a waste of time. However, if you wait too long, you will likely become overwhelmed by the sheer size of the project and may not even finish. For me, 8 weeks is the right amount of time to strike the balance between feeling like a productive workout without being exhausting.

What to throw away while cleaning out the closet?

Before you start cleaning out the closet, you should have a clear idea of ​​what you want to achieve. However, I would like to no We recommend aiming to eliminate a specific number of items. This may cause too little or too much disinfection. Instead, I like to adhere to some strict guidelines to determine what can stay and what should go. Let’s dive into what I think should always be asked!

Items that do not fit

If an item does not fit, it should automatically be placed in the discard pile. The only exception is if you come across items that can be tailored (and which you will actually wear after sewing). In this case, give yourself a specific deadline to sew these pieces. Personally, I give myself two weeks. If I don’t take the unsuitable items to the seamstress by then, they will be discarded. If I really like something, two weeks is enough to make a move.

Damaged, stained or smelly items

Unless it is a sentimental piece, all items that are damaged, stained or have an odor should be removed. I have a lot of options in my closet. So, if something is visibly dirty or ruined, it has served me well and it’s time to move on. Again, the only exception here is if the piece can be rehabilitated. The same rule applies – it must be fixed within two weeks or it will be discarded forever.

Items that no longer fit your lifestyle

A major lifestyle change can affect many areas of your life, including, sometimes, the way you dress. For example, I did a major closet purge when we moved from New York City to Florida. A lot of the items I used to have are no longer needed in cold weather. I didn’t get rid of them all, but I did narrow down my collection of jackets, coats, etc. significantly. Some additional lifestyle changes that may lead you to clean out your closet include getting a new job or becoming a parent.

Pieces you haven’t worn in over a year

Most often, if something hasn’t been worn in over a year, it’s time to say goodbye. The only exception to this rule is what I call “archive cuts.” This is almost a joke, as I know I don’t have a closet worth having an archive in. But it’s what I call the clothes and accessories that are so special to me. It does include some luxury or larger items, but the majority are pieces that I feel are special to my style or are insanely unique and hard to replace at any price.

Duplicates

Sometimes we fall into the trap of buying similar styles over and over again. Hey, we like what we like, right? It is common to purchase variations of your favorite styles. But, at some point, you have to ask yourself what amount is too much. How many striped jackets can one person own? Do you need ten pairs of straight leg denim? When I clean out my closet, I like to group similar pieces together and identify two that I rarely look for. These are the ones that should be thrown away. So whatever you’re storing, take a hard look at how to downsize that part of your closet.

How to avoid excessive cleansing

For the most part, I’m all for getting rid of as much stuff as possible when cleaning out a closet. However, the goal is to be aggressive without over-purging. This can be a very fine line, and there have been a few times where I’ve been guilty of getting a little carried away. Here are two tips I’ve learned to help prevent closet cleaning regret!

Stick to functional staples

Sometimes I get into the groove and throw away a lot. The problem with this is that I found myself getting rid of practical basic items that I ended up needing for layering, basic clothing, etc. In the heat of the moment, these pieces seem boring and don’t “spark joy,” so I make a habit of letting them go. However, I often end up repurchasing similar styles. Obviously this is not good. So I try to remind myself to keep both things fun and Functional items when cleaning out my closet!

Note the items that need to be replaced

I highly recommend keeping a list of “items to replace” in your phone notes (or on paper). I started this a few years ago and it really helps me keep track of things. For example, let’s say you come across a black miniskirt that you wear all the time, but it looks tired, so you’re ready to say goodbye to it. Instead of throwing the skirt away right away, make sure it’s not there only Black mini skirt in your closet. If so, add this pattern to your notes and keep it until you have a replacement. Otherwise, you may end up regretting it.

Step-by-step closet cleaning instructions

After you have a game plan for what you’ll keep and what you’ll get rid of, it’s time to actually start cleaning. In my opinion, the goal of any closet purge is to accomplish three things: get rid of the items mentioned above, physically clean out the space, and strategically reorganize the items. Here are the steps I take to ensure I achieve these goals.

1. Prepare yourself

There are two things I do to prepare myself for cleaning out the closet. First, I make sure I have allocated enough time to complete the entire project. When in doubt, schedule a longer time than you expect, as I’ve learned that this process takes longer than expected. Personally, I devote approximately four hours to cleaning out my closet.

Second, prepare yourself physically for the day. I always try to have my hair clean, dry and without makeup. I’ve found that if I’m wearing makeup or have a lot of product in my hair, it stops me from doing quick experiments. The goal is to move as quickly as possible.

2. Take everything out

The best way to clean a closet is to remove everything. all. bachelor. something. In full disclosure, sometimes I cheat and I don’t. But I always regret it, because things go more smoothly when I do that. Removing everything will allow you to see everything, including items hiding in the back. It also makes it easy to clean and wipe down hard-to-reach parts of your closet. Plus, if you’ve already made a big mess sorting clothes, you better go ahead and do it right!

3. Make five piles

Once you get started, I recommend making five stacks. This may seem like a lot, so let’s break it down.

• One: the “maybe” items – the pieces that completely tear you apart.
• Two: Goodwill – items that can no longer be resold or given to friends and family.
• Third: Friends and Family – Items that can be passed on to others who you think will appreciate them.
• Four: High-Ticket Items – Newer items and flagged items (guilty, but not proud) that can be resold on The RealReal. (I talked about How to Shop The RealReal in this post).
• Fifth: Local consignment store — items that are not luxurious enough to resell at a high price.

For the “potential pile,” I recommend storing these pieces separately and re-evaluating them during the next cleaning. I often find that I haven’t thought of 75% of these pieces within the two month time frame. This makes me feel more confident in letting them go!

4. Clean the space

Before putting everything back in the closet, make sure you clean the space well. Wipe down all shelves, dust hard-to-reach areas, and vacuum the floors.

5. Put everything back in place

Once you’ve sifted through everything and decided what to keep, it’s time to put all your clothes, shoes and accessories back in their proper place. I like to categorize my closet by style – all skirts hang together, all jackets go in the same section, etc. I find this to be the most effective way to quickly put outfits together in the future!

Favorite organizational products for closet cleaning

A key aspect of any closet cleanout is having a plan and products to keep the space organized. Actually I don’t have it huge A closet by creator standards, so I need to maximize my space and keep it incredibly tidy. These are some tried-and-true organizational products that I swear by.

Hangers

Having great hangers makes a huge difference. Personally, I love these Those heavy velvet ones. It may seem silly, but it makes me so happy to see everything hanging on my uniform hanger when I open my closet. Sometimes it’s the little things in life!

Clothes storage bags

I use these Carry storage bags To move and store items. They should really be called Mary Poppins Magic Bags, as I’m always shocked at how well they fit! They have long handles, allowing me to wear it like a backpack or over my shoulder. I highly recommend having a few on hand when cleaning out your closet, especially if you rotate clothes through different seasons.

Organizer boxes for jewelry

For jewelry, I use these Organizer trays. It’s not fancy, but I haven’t found anything nicer that can accommodate huge earrings, big bracelets, etc. I’ve also learned that using clear containers makes everything much easier to see!

Sunglasses organizer

On a similar note, I use this Sunglasses organizer To store all my sunnies. Again, nothing fancy. But they are very practical, affordable and save a lot of space!

Closet cleaning 101

Oh, I know that was it a lot Of information! But I really wanted to share the nitty-gritty on how I keep my clothes and accessories clean and tidy. I hope this helps the next time you find yourself getting ready to clean out the closet! these Organizational favorites and Shopping Tips and The RealReal It might be worth checking too. Happy organizing!