Cleaning Out Your Clothes Closet

Written by Doris Donnerman (last updated August 2, 2021)

Tired of trying to find that certain shirt, but you can't find it because your clothes closet is so full of clothes and other stuff? Holding on to clothes that no longer fit or that are hopelessly out of date can be frustrating. What you have to show for it is a closet full of clothing and nothing to wear. It must be time to get that closet cleaned out and organized.

Cleaning out the closet doesn't have to be a huge project. It also doesn't have to be overwhelming. This is one cleaning project that you can fit into different days. Think about how much time that you can devote to cleaning the closet today. Set a time limit for the day.

Before you start on your clothes closet make sure the room that the closet is located in is clean. You really do not want to add more clutter to existing clutter.

Not sure where to start? As you open the door ask yourself one simple question: What is the most annoying thing about my closet? Is it the shoes that you can't find or that there just no more room to hang up that last shirt? This will help you to focus on one area at a time, whether it is the floor, the shelves, or just the hanging clothes. Take all the items out of the area that you are focusing on and sort them into four boxes with the following categories: keep, throw away, out of place, and give away.

There are a couple of simple rules to follow when sorting the items in your closet. Does the item go with at least three different items? Does it fit? Is it in style? Has the item been used or worn within the past year? If the answer is no to any of these questions, then the item must go into one of the boxes that has been marked throw away, out of place, or give away.

After you have sorted out the items take the time to clean the space that you just cleared. If it was shelves this is the time to take some cleaner and wash down the space. The cleaner doesn't have to be anything expensive, just some nice soap and water will work. Vacuum or sweep and mop the floor. Make sure the space is clean before putting anything back into the closet.

Just remember nothing goes back into the closet if the purpose has worn out. Now is the time to purge that closet of unused items. Before you know it, your closet won't be the headache it used to be.

Author Bio

Doris Donnerman

Doris is a jack of all trades, writing on a variety of topics. Her articles have helped enlighten and entertain thousands over the years. ...

MORE FROM DORIS

Never Step On or Squash an Ant

Ants emit pheromones as a way to communicate with each other. When you step on an ant, the crushed ant emits an alarm ...

Discover More

Fixing a Doorbell that Won't Ring

A doorbell is rather useless if it does not ring. Learning to fix your doorbell is easy and extremely useful.

Discover More

Making Your Own Fly Spray for Horses

If you're a horse owner, or even if you just ride horses, then you are well aware of the flies that can plague your ...

Discover More

Keep Your Hardwood Floors Like New Bona's hardwood floor cleaner is the #1 choice of professionals. The no-residue formula is specially designed to be safe for floors, families, and the environment. Check out Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner Refill today!

More Cleaning Tips

Cleaning Dye Stains from Fabric

Dye stains can be difficult to remove from fabric, but a stain isn't necessarily permanent. There are a few things you ...

Discover More

Dress Preservation

There are certain items of clothing that you want to keep for an extended period of time. Learn how to properly preserve ...

Discover More

Cleaning Felt Clothing

Clothing made from felt can last virtually forever, if properly cared for. The trick, though, lies in how to properly ...

Discover More
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in Cleaning Tips from Tips.Net. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is one more than 9?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)


Newest Tips
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in Cleaning Tips from Tips.Net. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

View the most recent newsletter.