Inside: If you are tired of wasting time getting ready for the day, it is time to start decluttering. Decluttering clothes is the first step to making getting ready for the day easier.
Imagine the satisfaction of a tidy, well-organized closet and the freedom from endless laundry. You can achieve this by taking the first step to decluttering your clothes now.
Decluttering clothes you do not wear or do not enjoy wearing will make organizing your closet easier.
If you are ready to start decluttering your clothes, follow these steps to make the decluttering process easier for you.
Benefits of decluttering clothes
- Avoid decision fatigue
With a closet full of clothing items, shoes, and accessories, the burden of decision-making can be overwhelming.
However, after you declutter your clothes and only keep what you enjoy wearing, you will experience a significant relief from decision fatigue.
Getting ready for the day will take less time, and you will feel good in your clothes, leading to a lighter, less stressed feeling.
- Saves money
By keeping only clothing you enjoy wearing, you gain more control over your spending. Your closet becomes more organized, making it easier to find clothing.
Fewer clothing items also make finding items easier, and you avoid buying items you already have, leading to a more financially secure situation.
- Better for the environment
After decluttering your clothes, you are mindful of what items you bring. You shop mindfully and buy quality clothing instead of quantity.
Purchase quality items that will last longer and avoid clothing items ending up in the landfills.
Less shopping is better for the environment.
- Less clothing equals more value
The fewer clothing items and accessories you have, the more you will value those items.
Instead of having twenty jeans that don’t fit, or “just in case,” you only keep a few jeans you wear, and you feel good when you wear them.
This will get you to take care of your jeans and value them more. The same goes for purses and accessories.
Steps to decluttering clothes
- Take your clothes out and separate them by category
Take all the clothing and lay it on your bed according to category. These categories are by dresses, jeans, blouses, and so on.
All your shoes can be placed on the floor. The purses can be on the other side of the bed.
Taking everything out of the closet will make decluttering and keeping only items you will wear easier.
- Clean the shelves and drawers
Once you have everything out of the closet, take the time to clean the shelves. Also, sweep and mop the closet floor or vacuum if you have carpet in the closet.
Taking the time to do a quick clean will have you start on the right foot to organize your closet.
- Decide what to keep or let go
Start with a category of clothing. When you hold the item, ask yourself these questions.
Has it been more than six months since you wore it? Do you have something similar? Is it damaged or in bad condition?
You should declutter the item if you answer yes to any of these.
Be realistic when it comes to decluttering your items.
Do you need twenty pairs of jeans when you only wear jeans a few days a week?
Same with purses and shoes.
Avoid keeping items for your fantasy self.
For example, this can be keeping an item you would love to wear, but when you put it on, you decide to take it off for next time.
This happened to me with a jean jacket. I love how a jean jacket looks with different outfits, but I would never wear one. I decided to declutter the jean jacket.
- Decide what to donate or sell
Letting go of items won’t be easy when you start decluttering clothes. The more you declutter, the easier it will get.
If decluttering clothes is difficult and you need the money, you can try to resell the items.
You can sell on Facebook Marketplace or an online platform like Poshmark or Mercari. If you do not sell the items in four weeks, go ahead and donate these items.
I recommend donating to a local nonprofit. Donating to someone who needs these items will make donating much easier.
- Store away off-season items
Keep the current season clothing in plain sight and store the off-season clothing. This will make getting ready easier and make your closet look tidy.
Depending on the space in your closet, you can store Spring and Summer clothing in bins. Since they are bulkier clothing, fall and winter can be stored in these resealable bags. These bags can be stored underneath your bed.
- Organize by category
Now that you have decluttered your clothing and stored away off-season clothing, you are left with clothing you love that fits you right now.
It is time to organize!
Hang all your dresses together, tops, and then your jeans together.
Also, separate your work attire and weekend clothing to make getting ready for work easier.
I have a minimal wardrobe so I file fold my jeans and shorts and store them in bins placed on the closet shelf.
- Declutter your dresser
You can continue the same day and start decluttering clothes in your dresser, or continue on another day.
Items usually in a dresser include undergarments, socks, workout clothes, and pajamas. Again, take everything out and separate by categories.
Be realistic when deciding what to keep. Do you need ten workout outfits if you work out three to four times weekly? As for pajamas, keep your favorite and the ones you wear the most.
Go ahead and declutter the rest.
Declutter any items that have holes or do not fit.
- File fold clothing in the dresser
When you file fold your clothing in your dresser it makes finding items easier.
It also keeps you from only wearing items at the top of the clothing pile.
File folding your clothes looks aesthetically pleasing.
Related posts
10 Easy Steps to Downsize and Simplify Your Life
10 Things I Wish I’d Known Before I Started Decluttering
Minimalist Lifestyle Tips: 10 Best Simple Tips to Simplify Your Daily Routine
Tips to keep your clothes minimal
- Buy quality over quantity
Avoid buying cheap, inexpensive clothing, also known as fast fashion.
These items are poorly made with cheap material that will not last long, requiring you to buy more, which will waste more money.
Instead, buy quality items that will last longer.
For instance, invest in a well-made pair of jeans from brands like Levi’s that will last for years, rather than buying multiple low-quality jeans that will wear out quickly.
- One-in, one-out rule
When you buy a new clothing item, remove an old one. This rule helps you maintain a clutter-free closet and prevents you from accumulating more than you need.
It’s a simple yet effective way to keep your wardrobe in check.
- Keep a donation box
Make it a habit always to have a donation box or bag nearby.
When you see a clothing item you dislike or do not fit, put it straight into the donation box.
Once the donation box is full, take it to the donation center.
I always keep two small boxes in my home. One is near my toddler’s bedroom, and one is in the laundry room.
This makes decluttering items regularly. I put an item in the donation box when I have not used it in a while.
My favorite organizing items
I love these velvet hangers to make the closet look cohesive. These velvet hangers are thin, so they save space and are non-slip. Matching hangers make your closet look aesthetically pleasing.
Bins feature two cut-out handles that make it easy to take the bin anywhere. Perfect for storing clothing in your closet.
Clear dividers help you easily divide wide shelves to stack items such as clothing or purses.
These drawer organizers make your drawers neat and make it easy to find what you need.
Final thoughts
Decluttering clothes can be difficult at first, especially when you have spent your hard-earned money buying them.
The money has already been spent, and now, with all the clothes you do not wear in your closet, it is taking up your time and space and causing stress.
These easy steps to declutter clothes will help you in your decluttering process and help you maintain a clutter-free space.