We’re all guilty of having too much stuff, especially in our closets. American consumer culture constantly tells us that we need more, better or newer things to keep up with our neighbors. Does your closet reflect that mentality? Do you remember the last time you cleaned out your closet or went through your dresser drawers?
Chances are you wear less than half of what you own. Surprisingly, the average American only wears 20% of the clothes in their closet! 😲 Imagine how much easier it would be to get dressed, if your closet was filled with clothes you actually wear.
If organization isn’t your thing, cleaning out your closet can seem like an overwhelming task. Personally, I love to organize, but struggle with decision making. Whatever your reason, I want to make this task easier. And, there’s no need to spend time reading a book to get it done! With that, here’s my step-by-step guide on how to clean out your closet in an hour.
Step I: Find Three Big Containers
Look around your house for three large containers or boxes. Then, label each bin with the titles below. Items you want to keep go directly back into your closet.
- Toss
- Donate
- Sell
Step II: Start with an Empty Closet
Next, take everything out of your closet and put it on your bed. Pause. Is your heart racing at the thought of what happens next? You’re not alone. Deciding what to get rid of and what to keep is the hardest part of decluttering and can feel stressful. So, if decisions make you panic, ask a friend to help you clean out your closet. Sometimes a little support makes the process manageable.
Step III: Sort
If going through your closet feels like too big of a task, start with something smaller, like a dresser or even one drawer. The process is the same no matter what space you’re clearing out.
Before you get to work, set a timer. Give yourself 10 minutes per foot of hanging space or per drawer. For example: if your closet is six feet wide, you should be able to sort through it in one hour. Making fast decisions will keep you from getting stuck.
To Keep or Not to Keep
- Haven’t worn it in a year? It goes. Yes, make an exception for the pandemic, but NOT so you can avoid getting rid of stuff
- If it doesn’t fit, get rid of it
- If it fits, but it’s no longer an appropriate length or style, say goodbye.
- Is it falling apart? Toss it
- If you’re keeping items for nostalgic reasons (read: prom dress from 2000), take a picture. And then, let it go. (Please sing the corresponding song while doing so)
- If you don’t feel good when you wear it, it goes
Sell: how does consignment work?
Attempt to sell brand name items that are in good shape and are a current or classic style. Google “consignment stores near me” and make an appointment at a store in your area. Hopefully, you can make a little cash off the clothes you no longer wear.
What you can’t consign, take to Plato’s Closet or the Clothes Mentor and attempt to sell the remaining items there. These stores pay you cash on the spot for the items they think they can sell. Because consignment stores pay you after your clothes sell, the seller earns more, about 50% of the sales price. For this reason, stores that give you cash up front pay less, approximately 25% of what the store “assumes” they can sell the item for.
Finally, donate what you can’t sell. Consider donating business attire to Dress for Success. Dress for Success empowers women to achieve financial independence by helping with interview skills and professional attire among other things. Who knew you could clean out your closet and lift up women in need at the same time?!?
Step IV: Organize
Turn the hangers of the remaining clothes backward in the closet, so the hook is facing out. Why you ask? This trick helps you know what you’ve worn. So, the next time you clean out your closet, it will be a snap. If the idea of backward hangers makes your skin crawl, put a tag on each hanger and write down the date when you wear the item. Never wear the same outfit two weeks in a row again!
Put a basket or crate on the floor of your closet. Anytime you come across something you’re ready to part with, put it in the bag.
Final Thoughts
Now, you’re ready to clean out your dresser and every other closer in your house. Getting comfortable with purging your home of unused things takes time. Just like any other skill, the more you do it, the easier it gets. And the best part is, the less you have, the easier it is to clean and stay organized.