5 Tips for Cleaning Out and De-Cluttering Your Closet

There is no time like the present to start your spring cleaning projects.   It is important to create a spring cleaning checklist and complete that list. One of the projects that should be on the list is decluttering and cleaning out your closet. Depending on the size of your home or apartment, you may not have a lot of closets or storage space. In fact, there’s usually more stuff to store than there is storage space. Cleaning your closet clutter on regular basis is key to maximizing your storage space.  If you are struggling through cleaning out your closet, many experts recommend having a friend help you decide what items to keep or to get rid of. An “outside” opinion on the items in the closet will help you keep on track for your de-cluttering project.

Closet Storage Ideas

Learning how to declutter your home is an important aspect of a spring cleaning project.  As with any declutter project it is important to go one room at a time. This is also true when you are cleaning out your closet. Work on one closet at a time.  Remove any item that doesn’t’t belong in that particular closet and put it in its proper home. You wouldn’t’t want kitchen appliances to be stored in your clothing closet in your bedroom! If you do not have enough room for storing the excess items, then it is time to place your excess household belongings in storage. Self storage is a great place to store seasonal clothing and accessories. Just remember to wash the clothes before storage, so they will be fresh to use during the upcoming season.

5 Tips Getting Rid of Closet Clutter

1. Remove all items from the closet that you are going to reorganize. Designate a certain area to put all of the items from the closet. This is a very important first step of your project. It allows you to see everything that you have “stuffed” into the closet allowing you to assess the items easier.
2. Time to take inventory of the items in your closet.  Before you start categorizing your items into groups to keep in the closet, you need to decide if you should keep, donate, store or throw away any items. This could be the hardest step to take as we usually are very attached to the clothing and accessories we have. The rule of thumb is if you haven’t worn something in a year, then you probably won’t wear it. So it’s time to get rid of it! If the piece of clothing is too big or small, don’t keep it because you think you will wear it again. It will most likely just continue to take up space in your closet.  Look for damaged items that need repair as well as items that are out-of-date.
3. Once you are finished sorting the items that you are keeping in your closet, categorize them into “like” groupings such as shoes, scarves, hats, or by season. Create your own categories and stick with them.  Utilize all the storage space in the closet including shelving and the floor. Also, there are great closet door storage ideas for shoes or accessories.  Clear plastic bins are the preferred closet storage solution because you can see the items that you are storing. Don’t forget to label the boxes or bins with the items you are storing.
4. Before you put things back in the closet, do a good cleaning by dusting shelves and sweeping, mopping or vacuuming the floors. If you have the time, refresh the paint in the closet.
5. As you are putting the items back in the closet, put the most frequently used items within reach. These items should have “prime” space in the closet. If you have room, put the “off-season” items towards the back of the closet and rotate every season.

The more often that you declutter and organize your closet, the easier the task will become. Instead of a daunting project once a year, do weekly decluttering of your closet. Add a bag or a box for items that you plan to donate. Once the box or bag is full, then take it to the donation center and start the process all over again. If you need to keep the item for future use, then consider renting a self storage unit. ezStorage has a variety of storage unit sizes that you fit any storage need. Our 5×5 storage units are the perfect extra closet.  Stop in to any of our 46 locations to find out how we can help!