Alright, if you’re reading this, chances are, your closet(s) may stand to benefit from a much-needed thorough spring cleaning.
But are you excited about doing it? Yeah, probably not. And you’re not alone.
Closet cleaning ranks right up there with getting a root canal or potty training your kids: We dread it like all get out, but after it’s done, we feel so much better.
And so, in the spirit (and season) of organization, here are three effective approaches to getting the job done:
The Three Months Method
If your closet is chock-full of barely-ever-worn articles of clothing that you basically hold on to for nostalgic reasons, then The Three Months Method is for you. Here’s how to start: Working through your closet one piece at a time, leave be the clothes you wear on a regular basis—your go-to shirts and sweaters, everyday jeans, etc. Pull out anything that does not fall into that category and lay those clothes on your bed where you will then place them in one of two piles: The first is the No pile, which is for clothes you know right off the bat you want to part with; the second pile, the Maybe pile, is for everything you are unsure about. After everything on your bed has been put in either the No pile or the Maybe pile, bag up the No pile and prepare to donate to charity. As for the Maybe pile, bag it up—and here’s the important part—place it in a remote area of your home where you seldom go and keep that pile there for three months. If after three months you have not gone back to that Maybe pile to retrieve something you think you need, pitch the entire bag.
Swedish Death Cleaning
The name sounds a bit morbid and harsh…because it is. But it’s also ideal for those who aren’t playing around. Swedish Death Cleaning is the brainchild of Margareta Magnusson, a Swedish artist who lists her age as “80 to 100,” and here’s the crux of it: Getting rid of things that other people won’t want to deal with after you’ve passed on. This method calls for you to categorize everything in your home—clothes, furniture, you name it—and then assess every item through the prism of Would anyone really want this after I’m gone? If the answer is no—and you really don’t care for or use the item now, then toss it. Magnusson is the author of the book The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning, which explains the method in detail.
The “Don’t Fantasy Dress” Rule
Today’s last tip comes from style expert Adam Glassman, who serves as the creative director of O, The Oprah Magazine. And as the name suggests, “Don’t Fantasy Dress,” is an approach which calls for complete and utter honesty: If an item fits the lifestyle you want but not the lifestyle you live, get rid of it. So, if your closet is filled with large-brimmed derby hats because you want to attend tea parties ad horse races—but never do, then say goodbye to the hats, Likewise, if your closet boasts an insane amount of golf wear, but you haven’t golfed in years, then pack those items up.
Do any combination of the above, and you’ll be amazed by how de-cluttered your closet will become in no time.
