Clearing a closet is easy. All you have to do is remember the three Rs — remove, reduce, rearrange. It's that simple. Start by taking everything out. Then, sort clothes and accessories into three piles: keepers, donations, and dry clean and/or repair. (It also helps to keep in mind another R — be ruthless.)
Once you've taken stock of what stays and what goes, the rest is a snap. Now, you can easily figure out what to hang where (jackets next to pants next to blouses, etc.). You'll also be able to decide what, if any, organisers you need. For example, maybe you need an extra shelf for folded sweaters, sweats, T-shirts or jeans (for children and teens — who wear more foldable clothes than those that require hangers - you may want to slip in a bank of stackable shelves or cubbies for this purpose). You'll also be able to determine how many storage bins you need for accessories (including hats or purses) or stowing winter clothes, as well as other organisers, such as a shoe organizer to keep the floor clear.
You'll find once your closets are organised, your mornings will seem more organised, too. Here are a few other ideas for keeping your wardrobe neat and clean:
- Scented liners aren't just for drawers. Used to line closet shelves, they keep your whole wardrobe fresh.
- Softener sheets designed for the dryer offer another way to keep clothes smelling sweet. Slip them between folded items, such as T-shirts or jeans.
- Softener sheets also work wonders for storing winter clothes. Drop them in your storage bins or stuff them in pockets of coats to keep clothes fresh until next fall.
