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5 Steps to an Organized Clothes
Closet
by Stacey Agin Murray
If you can't look at your wool pants, boots, and flannel pajamas
anymore, salvation is just around the corner. The snow that blanketed us
this winter has melted and before you know it, we'll all be wearing
shorts and sandals again.
You may be ready for warmer weather but is your closet? Below is a
5-step strategy for cleaning out your clothes closet and making it ready
for the next season:
Step 1 Pick a weekend day for spring cleaning your closet. This task
takes time and energy--it should not be done in its entirety after a
long day at work.
Step 2 On 'Spring Cleaning Your Closet Day,' set up three garbage bags
or boxes near your closet. Label one 'Throw Away,' and label the other
two 'Donate,' and 'Repair.' These bags/boxes will assist you as you sort
and purge your clothing.
Step 3 Sort through and purge the clothes from this season first. Start
with tops (sweaters, turtlenecks, etc.) then move on to bottoms,
undergarments, shoes, and accessories. When sorting, keep your eyes open
for the following:
holes in sweaters
worn down heels on shoes
anything torn or stained
items that no longer fit your body
any garment that no longer 'fits your style
Take one item out of your closet, examine it closely and ask yourself,
Is this something:
that fits me and I wear regularly?
I love for sentimental or other reasons?
that matches at least two other garments in my wardrobe?
that is in good condition?
If the answer to these questions is YES, then put the item on your bed.
If the answer to these questions is NO, then it is decision-making time?
Should the item be:
thrown away?
donated?
repaired?
stored in an out-of-the-way place for six months and make a decision
then?
Be ruthless when making decisions. Purging will give you more space in
your closet, and benefit those who are receiving your donations.
Step 4 Put the bag/box marked 'Throw Away' wherever you keep your trash.
Take your bag/box marked 'Repair' and place it by the front door. This
will remind you to bring the items to the tailor /shoemaker so they will
be repaired and ready to wear next year. Place the 'Donate' bag/box in
the trunk of your car. Drop it off at your nearest donation center or
drop-off box. If you are unable to drive to a donation center, the
Vietnam Veterans of America will (in many areas of the USA) come to your
home to pick up bags of clothes and other items in good condition (call
(800) 775-VETS (8387)).
Step 5 Now you are left with the articles of clothing you are keeping
for next winter. The next step is to find them a home. The amount of
space you have in your home will determine where they go. If you have
extra closets in your home, turn one of them into an 'off-season'
closet. In the winter it can house your summer clothes and in the summer
it can house your winter clothes.
If you are short on closet space, some alternative ways to store
off-season clothing are:
spaces in your closet that are difficult to access (a high shelf, the
far end of the rod)
empty suitcases
'under the bed' boxes (some have wheels!)
large Rubbermaid containers
Space Bags (suck the air out with a vacuum)
Your winter clothes are stored away. Pull out your spring/summer clothes
and follow steps 2 - 4. Now that you have determined what clothing you
will be keeping, it's time to find these items a good home. Your closet
has been emptied of most, if not all winter clothes and it's time to
fill it with your spring/summer wardrobe.
Group like items together. Hanging your clothes by 'type' will enable
you to find what you need quickly and easily. Put all tops in one area,
all bottoms in another. Within these areas, sort and divide clothing
into subgroups such as pants/skirts/dresses and
three-quarter/short-sleeved/sleeveless tops. Some people prefer to group
subgroups of clothing by color or by sleeve/pant length. The choice is
yours.
Group by length. Hanging tops on one side of your closet will free up
space below. To make the most of this space, add a small dresser,
standing shoe rack, or large Rubbermaid storage containers.
Use quality hangers. I cannot stress this enough. Hanging garments on
quality hangers will prolong the life of your clothing. Hangers can, but
don't have to be expensive. You can purchase plastic tubular, crystal,
or wooden hangers. There are hangers that hold multiple pairs of pants
and/or skirts, special hangers for belts, and particular hangers that
are appropriate for suits or lingerie. Remove all wire hangers from your
closet and return them to your local dry cleaners. Your closet will look
great, your clothing will last longer, and your dry cleaner will be
thrilled?
Reward yourself for a job well done. Order dinner in and relax--you've
worked hard and you deserve it.
Keep it up! Your closet looks great! You can find what you need when you
need it. But, how will you keep it that way? Take an hour every month to
go through your clothing and accessories especially if you have a life
change (ex. pre- or post-pregnancy, career change) and every six months
make cleaning out and organizing your closets a priority.
About the Author
Stacey Agin Murray, professional organizer and owner of Organized
Artistry, LLC, transforms mess into masterpiece with patience,
organizing know-how, and a sense of humor. Stacey specializes in home
organization, time and paper management. For a free e-list of Top Ten
Tips for Organized Living, or to order your copy of 7 Steps to an
Organized Wedding Thank You Note please visit her web site at
http://www.organizedartistry.com.
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