How To Clean Out Your Closet

  • May 12, 2008
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If your closet has become a dark, scary place where clothes go to wrinkle, it’s time to go in with a weed-whacker.

You Will Need

  • Bags and boxes
  • New hangers
  • Wire shelving
  • A second closet rod
  • A dresser
How To Clean Out Your Closet: Follow the two year rule

Step 1: Follow the two year rule

Put aside everything you haven’t worn in two years. Trust us, you won’t miss it. Studies show if you haven’t worn something in two years, you’ll probably never wear it again. In fact, we wear the same 20% of our clothes 80% of the time.

How To Clean Out Your Closet: Ditch the wish clothes

Step 2: Ditch the wish clothes

Ditch the “wish” clothes — you know, the things you’re hanging onto in the hope that you’ll be able to fit into them again someday.

How To Clean Out Your Closet: Try things on

Step 3: Try things on

Try on anything you’re uncertain about and ask yourself, “How does this make me feel?” Unless it makes you feel good about yourself, add it to the “go” pile.

If you just can’t make up your mind whether to keep something, put it in a box and stash it in the attic or basement. If six months go by and you don’t miss it, ditch it.

How To Clean Out Your Closet: Donate

Step 4: Donate

Once your pile is complete, separate everything that is in good shape and donate it to charity. You’ll feel a lot better knowing your old clothes will be put to good use. And, if you ask for a receipt, you can even claim a tax deduction.

If you’re a woman with gently used business attire, check out “Dress for Success,” an organization that provides professional clothes to disadvantaged women who are rejoining the work force.

How To Clean Out Your Closet: Make some dough

Step 5: Make some dough

If you’re thinking to yourself, “Hey, but I’m needy!” bring your best clothes to a consignment store.

How To Clean Out Your Closet: Throw out hangers

Step 6: Throw out hangers

Give your old wire, wooden, and plastic hangers the heave-ho and invest in the ultra slim, flocked hangers sold at home goods stores, as well as some custom hangers with places to hang multiple items. Things will hang better, and you’ll be able to fit more in your closet.

How To Clean Out Your Closet: Find more space

Step 7: Find more space

Make more space in your closet by adding wire shelving up above your clothes and/or installing a second rod under the first. Or, if you have the room, stick a small dresser on the floor of your closet.

How To Clean Out Your Closet: Arrange your clothes

Step 8: Arrange your clothes

Group your clothes together, like blouses, pants, and dresses, so you’ll find what you’re looking for easily on busy mornings. And face all your clothes in the same direction for a less cluttered look.

Ashlee Simpson’s closet is 1,300 square feet!

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Comments (2)

ALLURE509

I learned sooo much from this video! Thanks!

over 3 years ago by ALLURE509

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pandabear707

I needed to give my closet a makeover. I had baby stuff in there and boxes of random old things. I put the old stuff in my basement for storage, got new hangers and put a organizing table in replace of the clumsy boxes to make the perfect closet and living space. I used to never use my closet except for old useless clothing but now Instead of dressers, I put all my clothing in there for easy, fast mornings.

over 2 years ago by pandabear707

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Video is in Home and Garden (39 videos)