How to Clean Out Your Closet

Let’s face the facts: You have more stuff than you need and you are likely to buy more. It’s time to do some spring cleaning and clear out your closet. Here’s how it’s done.

“When was the last time I wore this?”

Make the initial round of cuts easily. Go through your closet and be honest with yourself about how much use different items have had. If all of your hangers are facing in, go through and check which hangers are facing the other direction - that’s a sure sign you haven’t removed it from your closet in ages, so donate it! If you bought it and wore it once two years ago, you need to get rid of it.

The next rounds are more difficult. How many items of clothing do you have in your closet “just in case”? Five pairs of running spandex in case you go for a winter run. A beer maid costume from three Halloweens ago you’re saving in case you need a last minute costume or you travel to Germany in October. Twelve belts in different shades of brown just in case you need to match to another pair of shoes.

Let go of the “just in case” pieces you’re hoarding. The “just in case” is not likely to happen and it’s only taking up valuable real estate you could be giving to pieces you wear regularly.

Organize by type and color

We’re all guilty of this hoarding crime: You buy a top you love. Maybe it’s a basic tee that you wear often. It’s so comfortable and versatile, you decide to buy it a second color. Fair enough. But then a month later, you buy it in two more colors. And then another.

Stop the madness. Organize your wardrobe by pieces - shirts, sweaters, jeans, trousers, etc. If you have four blue button down shirts, that’s three too many. Narrow each category down to one of each color in each category. That way, you still have everything you need to mix and match colors, but you clear the clutter.

You should also be honest with yourself about colors you simply never wear. Maybe you like the idea of wearing purple, but every time you are deciding which outfit to wear, you always pass over the purple options in favor of another color instead. You might appreciate a piece from afar, but as soon as you put it on, feel less-than-confident. If you’re not going to wear it, ditch it.

Put away the ones you’re saving for nostalgic reasons

We all have things we keep for nostalgic reasons only. That cheap graphic tee you wore when you ran your first 5K? The college sweatshirt that’s worn out, stained and forever sits in the bottom of your drawer? Your prom dress? These pieces hold special memories for us, but that doesn’t mean they should take up space in your closet. If you have pieces you really can’t bear to part with, at least take them out of your closet and put them in storage elsewhere.

Change your habits

Do you shop because you want or need new clothing? Or do you shop because it’s fun to buy pretty, cool new clothing that looks good on you and gives you an enthralling high after getting your bags home and spreading all your new outfits out on your bedspread to admire. And photograph. And post to your Tumblr.

Shopping addiction is real and diagnosable. Make sure you’re headed to the mall for the right reasons, otherwise you may need to form some new habits.

Be honest about what you really need

When you surveyed your wardrobe and asked yourself, “When was the last time I wore this?” you were honest about what you really want. Now, it’s time to be honest about what you really need.

Let’s say you work five days a week and do laundry at least once a week. Then why would you ever need more than five days worth of clothing formal enough for the office? If you work out 3 to 5 times a week, why do you need 6 pairs of gym shorts? You wear the same t-shirt to bed every night. Do you really need the 20 others that are taking up hangers in your closet?

Donate or sell your old clothing

By far the easiest and most charitable option is to wash, fold and pack up your old clothing and shoes to bring to a local donation point, such as Goodwill or the Salvation Army. Many charities also have home pick-ups available to really save you time and money.

Another option is to find local "buy/sell/donate" groups on Facebook, where you can post pictures of items you no longer want, and arrange pick-ups with those who may want or need them.

You could also bring any pieces that are still in great condition to a local consignment shop. You can sell your clothing - especially name brand pieces - and make a bit of money off of your closet-cleaning efforts.

There's also the option to sell used clothing online - whether by Craigslist, eBay or Amazon, online vending can be an easy option if you don't mind making arrangements for shipping to customers.

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It’s a luxury to own things you don’t need, and we all enjoy a little luxury in our lives. But don’t forget that owning things can also be a burden.

Clutter is bad for your mental health. When you have more stuff than you reasonably need, it’s also easy to lose track of your priorities.

James Wallman, author of Stuffocation, argues that too many possessions have cultivated a modern American society that’s too focused on accumulating things rather than what’s really important - the kind of life experiences that build memories. While he doesn’t argue for minimalism, he advocates for streamlining your life in order to stay clear-headed and focused on what’s really important to you.

The same logic applies to your wardrobe. Keep your closet streamlined, keep your thoughts clutter-free, and you’ll be happier, healthier, wealthier and wiser.