How To Clean Out Wardrobe

Closet Cleanout: Get Rid of Clutter for Good

Cleaning out the closet is a daunting project that's often put off. But with tightly crammed clothes and hangers sticking out in every direction, finding the shirt you need amongst the outdated fashion choices you can't seem to let go of can be exhausting. Stop spending so much time getting dressed in the morning. Get rid of the clothes that are wasting space with closet cleanout tips from the following experts:

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How Do You Want to Clean Out Your Closet?

Step-by-Step
Quick Tips

Steps to Clean Out Your Closet

Mark Your Calendar
Take Everything Out
Clean the Inside
Sort Into Piles
Refine the "Keep" Pile
Toss What You Don't Need
Put Everything Back

How to Get Rid of Clothes in Your Closet

It's time to get yourself into the organization mindset. Tackling a closet cleanout is no simple task, so use these tips to help you work through the job.

1. Schedule Time for Your Cleanout

If you're reading this, you've probably either started thinking about tackling this project or committed to finally getting rid of all the clothes you don't wear. But you might be asking yourself, "How do I start cleaning out my closet?"

Cleaning out your closet can be overwhelming, so go in with a plan. Prepare by setting aside some time and marking it in your calendar. Scheduling this as an essential task will make it difficult to avoid. Then, clear the whole day if you need to. You might even hire a babysitter so you don't get distracted. Play some music that will keep you motivated over the next few hours, put away your phone and dive in.

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2. Empty Your Closet Into One Giant Pile

What is the best way to clean out your closet? Start by taking every last item out, including your hangers, and placing them on your bed. Now you can't go to sleep until you finish the project, giving you no excuse to stop until you're done. This will also give you a visual of the space available in your closet so you can see what will fit comfortably as you replace pieces you want to keep.

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3. Give Your Closet a Good Scrub

Next, clean the inside of the closet while it's empty. Dust and wipe down shelves and racks, vacuum or sweep the floor and clean light fixtures. Leave the door open so the closet can air out while you decide which clothes to keep and which to get rid of.

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4. Sort Clothes Into Keep, Give Away and Toss Piles

It's time to get down to the nitty-gritty. Create three distinct groups as you go through each item on your bed:

Clothes you're going to keep.
Items you don't need that are still in good condition.
Anything that needs to go straight to the trash.

Once you've put an item into a pile, don't second guess yourself. Keep moving so you don't lose momentum.

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5. Refine the "Keep" Pile

Sorting clothes into the "keep" pile is the easy part, but remember not to get too carried away – you can't keep everything. Stick to this list to help you figure out what should stay in your closet.

Layering pieces that are good for any season.
Things you want and have actually worn in the last year.
Clothing and accessories you can incorporate with any trend.
Staple and everyday pieces that you wear at least seasonally.

How to Decide Which Clothes to Keep

If you're still wondering, "what should I keep in my closet?" then answer the following questions or check out our closet cleanout quiz to decide if a particular item is valuable to your wardrobe.

Would I buy this today?
Does this fit my lifestyle?
When was the last time I wore this?
When will I wear this in the next few months?

Try the Marie Kondo Method

"Does this item bring me joy?" That's the main question famous Japanese organizing consultant Marie Kondo says to ask yourself when you're decluttering. So, as you're cleaning out your clothes, think about each item. Does a certain top make you feel less than your best? If it doesn't make you feel good, you're not going to wear it. There's no point in letting it take up space in your closet.

Kondo also says to think about what you want to keep, not what you want to get rid of. Shift your thoughts to focus on items you truly love instead of worrying about some old clothes you really don't want.

Take Our Closet Cleanout Quiz

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Cleanout Quiz

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6. Toss What You Don't Need to Free Up Space in Your Closet

Now it's time to figure out what's not going back in your closet. Use this list to easily decide what to purge.

Clothes that don't fit.
Anything you have multiples of.
Items that no longer suit your style.
Apparel you haven't worn or only used once.
Things you used to wear often but now dislike.
Accessories and items that can't be styled with other clothing.
Anything you tell yourself you'll get repaired or altered but haven't.

You can donate, sell or give a friend any of the above items that are in good condition. Don't waste time getting them out of your house – you just went through all that hard work paring down your clothes, so don't let them continue cluttering your space.

Anything you haven't decided to keep, give away or sell likely needs to be tossed. If it's in poor condition, send it to the trash or find a local textile recycling organization that can reuse your old clothes. This means getting rid of anything ripped, stained, faded or otherwise unwearable.

Find Dumpster Services In Your Area

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7. Put the Keep Pile Back in Your Closet

Now it's time to neatly refill your closet, but have a plan to keep your clothes organized. Consider installing new shelves, buying organizing drawers or adding additional rods if space allows to help you create a cohesive system. As you put things away, store them in a way that compliments your daily routine. For example, if you work out every day, try putting athletic wear near the front of your closet with the items you regularly wear to work. Your more casual weekend clothes don't need prime real estate, because you won't need to access them quickly as you're rushing out the door during the week.

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5 Fast Tips for Cleaning Out Your Closet

Here are a few quick pieces of advice to help you clean out your closet and tie up some loose ends on the items you still may be unsure about.

1. The One-Year Rule

If you haven't worn it in the last year, you likely won't ever wear it. Don't hold onto a T-shirt or a pair of shoes hoping you'll use it again and don't try to convince yourself you will someday. It's time to let it go. Stop letting it take up valuable space.

2. Force Yourself to Wear the Maybes

Clothes that still have you hemming and hawing about whether to keep or get rid of call for a trial wear. Choose a day in the next week to wear them and take note of how you feel in them. Do these jeans make you feel good? Will you wear this sweater again? Can you find a way to style it?

3. One Thing In, One Thing Out

Moving forward, for every new article of clothing you buy, something has to go. This will help you prevent your closet from getting cluttered again.

4. The Hanger Trick

When you're putting your clothes back in your closet, make sure all your hangers are facing the same way. After you wear an item, turn the hanger around when you put it back. Wait a month, then take note of which hangers are still facing the original way. Reevaluate your need for and use of these clothes and consider donating them. This will help you keep your closet clutter in check on a regular basis.

5. Slow and Steady

If the idea of devoting several hours to cleaning out your closet is just too overwhelming, try making it part of your daily routine. Set up a donation box in or near your closet and aim to put five items in every day.

Closet Cleanout FAQs

Here are Reich's answers on some common questions people have about cleaning out their closets.

2. How can I keep my closet clean?

Label everything in your closet. When you take something off a hanger, move it to the front of the closet so you always know where your empty hangers are.

Time to Wear Your Favorite Clothes

You made it through the project! Your bed is cleared off, your closet is clean and you have the tips you need to keep it organized. Now you can reach into your closet as you get dressed every day and always wear the clothes that make you feel your best.

Recommended reading: Decluttering and Organization Rules