How To Spring Clean Your Closet

Before putting the Yeses away, make sure they are clean, and do any necessary mending.

Take a close look at your Maybes. If you are hesitating to discard something because it was expensive, set it aside to take to a consignment shop. If an old favorite has become too dated to wear, consider if it could be modernized with minor alterations.

Sort through your handbags, shoes, scarves, hats, gloves, and costume jewelry, too. The two-year rule applies here as well.

Invite your friends over to pick through your No pile. Donate whatever is left to charity, or see if a local theater group can use your castoffs as costumes.

Sort out your underwear drawer. Ladies, throw out panties that have seen better days and bras that are no longer supportive. Guys, get rid of underwear that’s starting to look shabby.

Inspect your winter socks for holes and thin spots, and check your hosiery for snags and pilling. Keep the worn-out socks for dusting.

Give your cheap wire hangers to the local dry cleaner and invest in slim, fabric-covered ones; they prevent thin straps from slipping off and won’t leave pointy marks at the shoulders. Plus, having a uniform set of hangers may save you some space.