Spring is the time when the earth renews itself and grows green again. Flowers bloom, trees sprout leaves, and birds sing. Spring is also the perfect time to start fresh by spring cleaning your closet. Yet, spring cleaning can be scary. You never know what you’re going to find hidden in the back of your closet—a moth-eaten sweater or a pair of bell-bottom jeans that are reminiscent of the 1970s. If you’ve done a thorough cleaning, you may be surprised by what is hiding in the back. Are you ready to spruce up your closet and make it feel like a new space? Here’s a plan to help you get started.
1. Start with research
Before beginning the big clean-up, read up on the latest organization trends and tricks, including hanger types and accessories that can help eliminate clutter in your closet. Think about what layout or setup would work best for you and your closet’s size. Have a plan for how you want to set up your closet and maximize space.
Having a place for everything also means creating smart storage solutions. For example, it may be better to keep your shoes on racks in your closet instead of piled on the floor or even worse, in their shoeboxes. You want to make sure you get the most out of your closet space by creating as much room as possible. It may also be helpful to stack some items on top of one another to free up some floor space within your closet.
2. Empty your closet
After you have determined your plan, take everything out of your closet and clean the space. This is also
a good time to vacuum any dust bunnies that have accumulated in your closet or under your clothes. Then, get ready to sort your clothing. Keep a laundry hamper nearby so you can toss in items that need washing.
If there is anything you love, but it needs fixing, set it aside for later mending. This could be something as simple as sewing on a button or fixing a zipper. Segregate those items so you can work on them when you have time.
3. Create three piles: keep, donate and toss
Go carefully through your clothing. Get rid of clothing that does not fit and items you have not worn in the last year or two. If you have not worn an item in over a year, chances are you are not going to. Place clothes that are worn out, have holes, or are damaged in the toss pile.
If an item is still in decent shape but no longer works for you, place it in the donate pile. It may be perfect for someone else! Resist the urge to hold on to clothing “just in case” something comes back in style.
Put the “keep” pile back in the closet, neatly folded or on hangers, whichever way you prefer. Toss a load in the washing machine if any of these items need freshening for the spring. Keep your items separated into categories like tops, bottoms, dresses, and shoes. This will allow you to see everything you own at a glance and help you pick outfits more easily.
4. Donate your items
Before your trip to the thrift store or donation box, research where you are going to take your items and what their policies are on donation items. Some stores are pickier than others about what they will accept, so make sure you know their policies before making the trip.
5. Consider what you need to add to your wardrobe
After you toss or donate unwanted items, there will be new space in your closet. Now is a good time to consider what you need to add to your wardrobe. Keep a running list of the gaps in your wardrobe, so you can fill them in once you have finished spring cleaning. It will be more fun to take a shopping trip, knowing that you will be adding new clothes to an organized closet. If you donate your items to a thrift store, take a look inside to see what pre-owned items might fit just what you are looking for.
The bottom line
Congratulations, you did it. Over time, your closet can get cluttered with clothes that you do not wear anymore. By taking an inventory of your clothes and doing a little spring cleaning, you can maximize the space in your closet and only have clothes left that you love to wear. Once complete, it will be a delight to open your closet door!
