If there’s one area of your home that is bound to accumulate clutter, it’s your wardrobe. Since each piece of clothing typically doesn’t take up much space, it’s easy to amass far too many clothes without even noticing it—only to one day realize your closet is stuffed to the brim.
Decluttering an overflowing closet can be daunting, but breaking the process down into a handful of simple steps can make it much simpler. (And, dare we say, even a little fun?) We asked three professional organizers to share a step-by-step method for decluttering clothes. With their advice, you’ll efficiently and effectually declutter your clothes and get your closet in order for good.
Make Sure You Have The Right Tools
Before you start the process of decluttering your clothes, it’s important to make sure you have the right tools and supplies. Gather boxes and trash bags for sorting donations from actual garbage, markers to label the bags and boxes, and enough hangers for all of the clothing you intend to hang.
Without these supplies, you’ll end up with disorganized heaps of clothing and it will feel like no progress has been made, says Brock.
Take It One Category At a Time
The most efficient way to declutter your clothes is by sorting through one category at a time. “It’s easier to make decisions when you see how many black leggings or old t-shirts you have,” says Isabelle Wood, founder and head organizer at Organizing Engineers. Take everything you have in one category out of your closet, and go through everything in that category before moving on to the next.
Start With the Easiest Categories
As you begin to comb through clothing categories, some will naturally be easier to declutter than others. For example, socks, bras, and workout clothes might be easier to pare down than sweaters and outerwear. “This part is very personal and you should adjust based on your own preferences,” Wood says. “But using this trick will help you get in the mindset, and the decluttering process will become more natural.”
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Create Three Piles
Using a three-pile system is incredibly effective in helping you stay on task and organized while you declutter. When downsizing or organizing, Brock recommends creating toss, donate, and keep piles. Items that are worn or damaged beyond repair should get tossed, while pieces you no longer want but still have plenty of life left in them should be donated.
Consider Each Item Carefully
As you sort clothing, consider each item individually and which pile it belongs in. Be thoughtful in your decision making, says Wood, who recommends asking yourself the following questions when unsure about a particular piece:
- Is this item damaged, stained, or worn out? Can it be repaired?
- Would I buy this again today?
- Does it reflect the lifestyle I want to have?
- Does this fit me well and make me feel confident?
- Do I have a place or occasion to wear this?
Try It On
Sometimes it helps to try on a piece of clothing if you’re not sure how you feel about it. “Get rid of anything that makes you feel anything less than amazing when you put it on,” encourages professional organizer Lucy Milligan Wahl. Don’t worry about creating a hole or gap in your wardrobe. Instead, make a list of items you need to replace—a perfect excuse to hit a thrift store.
Let Expensive Items Go
It can be hard to remove a piece of clothing from your wardrobe, especially if it cost a pretty penny. However, holding on to something just because it was expensive wastes precious closet space and ultimately just makes you feel guilty. If all you see when you look at a piece is the money it’s worth, sell or consign it, says Wahl. Clothing typically doesn’t hold its value over time, even if it’s designer.
Keep Seasonal Clothes in Your Primary Closet
If you have multiple closets in your home or a place for storage, try to keep only in-season clothes in your primary closet. Not only does this make it easier to get dressed each morning, but editing your wardrobe later on will be less overwhelming. (You’ll be decluttering just one season at a time, says Brock.)
More Tips for Decluttering Your Clothes
The process of decluttering your clothing can look different for everyone, depending on your style, climate, and the size of your closet. Here are a few extra tips for keeping clothing clutter at bay.
- Consider out-of-style clothing carefully: “It takes about ten years before clothing is labeled vintage,” says Brock. “Unless you’re really into vintage clothing, don’t fall for the trap of ‘I’ll wear it when it comes into style again.’” Donate or discard it to reduce the clutter.
- Have fun with it: “Turn on some music and grab your favorite beverage,” says Wood. “This will make this process more joyful.”
- Let go of items you haven’t worn in two years: Even if they still have tags on them! It’s better to get rid of them than to allow them to stay in your closet taking up space, says Brock.
- Declutter your clothes often: While you can certainly do a massive overhaul whenever your wardrobe gets out of hand, decluttering more frequently can make the job more manageable. If you notice that there are one or two items that are ripped or stained or that you’re not wearing anymore, toss or donate them right away, recommends Brock. You’ll thank yourself later.
