The Ultimate Guide to Cleaning Out Your Closet
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With spring in full swing, there’s no better time to clean out your closet. After months of bundling up in parkas and snow boots, I’m so ready to exchange my heavy winter layers for lighter and brighter pieces.
More than just dusting out drawers and purging old clothes, a closet cleanout is a chance to prepare the foundation for a wardrobe you truly love. It requires a bit of time and effort, but the end result is absolutely worth it. You'll be able to step into your closet without feeling overwhelmed about what to wear.
From organizing to editing, here is the ultimate guide to cleaning out your closet. I’m sharing all of the best tips and tricks to successfully declutter and reorganize like a pro.
Save this step-by-step checklist for your spring cleaning or even your next New Year’s reset!
The Ultimate Guide to Cleaning Out Your Closet
1. Set the Mood
A closet cleanout can take time, so it's best to start early when you have plenty of energy and time to tackle the task.
I prefer to dedicate an entire day to spring closet cleaning, so I can get it all done at once. I also can’t stand going to bed with a big mess, especially when my bed becomes the catch-all for everything. If that's too much, you could easily break down the process into multiple days to make it more manageable.
No matter how you approach your closet cleaning, setting the mood is important to get into the right mindset. Turn on a podcast or your favorite playlist, light a candle, brew a cup of coffee or tea to sip on while you work—anything that makes the process more enjoyable.
2. Visualize Your Ideal Space
Before diving in, take a moment to define what you want to achieve from this closet cleanout. This step is often overlooked, but it can make a huge difference in guiding your decisions as you declutter and deep clean your closet. Visualize not only how your closet will look, but also how you want the space to feel.
I love to pull up inspiring images on Pinterest to get excited about curating my dream closet and imagine the final outcome!
If your goal is to build a capsule wardrobe, search for images of the styles or trends you'd like to incorporate. If you’re more focused on sorting the pieces that you already own, look for photos of organized spaces that match the vibe you’re going for.
3. Start Sorting
With clear intentions in mind for your closet makeover, it’s time to start sorting. Begin by setting up four containers for items you plan to keep, discard, repair or store. This system will make decisions much easier as you work through your closet, piece by piece.
There’s probably at least one section in your closet that you dread. Maybe it’s shoes, sweaters or handbags. Focus on this area first so you aren’t stressing about it.
I typically reach for bulky winter items next. Puffer coats, thick knits and ski gear immediately get placed in my store box. Once those are out of the way, I turn to what’s left.
As you go through your own closet, consider Marie Kondo's advice: keep items that spark joy and let go of those that no longer serve you. When you’re stuck, referencing your Pinterest board can give you clarity about what aligns with your vision for your wardrobe.
One of the golden rules for cleaning out your closet is to be honest with yourself. If you haven’t worn it in over a year, it’s likely time to let it go.
I also love a good checklist to guide me in decision-making. Here are some key questions to ask yourself when deciding whether to keep a clothing item:
Do you enjoy wearing this item?
Does it fit?
Is it in good condition?
Does it align with your style?
When was the last time you wore this item? If it has been a long time, consider why and whether you're likely to wear it again.
Does wearing this item make you feel good about yourself?
Is this item still appropriate for your current lifestyle?
Do you have duplicates? If you have similar items, consider whether this particular piece adds value or if it's redundant.
Is it comfortable?
Does the item hold sentimental value? If so, is it something that can be preserved or repurposed in a meaningful way?
Lastly, bring out any spring clothes that you have in storage. If you’ve used my tips below, everything should be relatively clean and undamaged. Try on each item to ensure it still fits, and if it doesn’t, place it in the discard pile.
4. Store Seasonal Items
Storing your seasonal winter clothing properly will preserve its quality and make it a breeze to unpack when the cold weather returns. You can wash or dry clean all of your winter clothes before storing them, but I always find myself rewashing them next season. Instead, I inspect each item for any noticeable stains or residues that might attract pests and damage fabrics during storage.
After lightly cleaning and treating any garments, store them in large storage containers like plastic bins, fabric storage boxes, vacuum-sealed bags or under-the-bed organizers. Although cardboard boxes are helpful for sorting, they won’t properly protect your clothes from pests, moisture and changing temperatures.
Consider adding mothballs or natural repellents like cedar chips, lavender perfumed sachets, or essential oils to deter insects and musty odors. My favorite hack is to add a few drops of essential oil to a cotton ball and place it in the storage box so that my clothes smell fresh next season.
For certain garments like wool and fur coats, leather jackets and delicate dresses, I prefer to cover them with a garment bag and move them to the back of my closet so that they won’t crease in a storage box, but also won’t be front and center in my spring wardrobe.
Heavy coats or jackets, if left hanging for long periods, can lose their shape. Use padded hangers or consider storing them in garment bags to protect them.
Once everything is neatly packed away, label your boxes and bags for easy identification later, and find a cool, dry place to store them.
Read More: How to Take Care of Your Clothes
Shop Storage Essentials
5. Decide Where to Donate
Browse your discard pile for any gently used items that you can donate. I usually take my clothing to the Salvation Army in my city, but I’ve also donated to Goodwill when I lived in the U.S.
If you have a lot of professional clothing, consider donating to Dress for Success, a nonprofit that provides women with appropriate work attire.
For formal dresses you no longer need, Becca's Closet provides prom dresses to high school students in need.
While it might be tempting to stash your donation pile back in your closet “for later,” resist the urge! Put these items by your door or in your car. Immediately make a note on your calendar so you aren’t tempted to pull those pieces back into your clean closet.
6. Organize Everything
This is my favorite part of the process: organizing! How you arrange everything will depend on your unique space, which is why I’d recommend browsing Pinterest for ideas.
Consider investing in a few organizational items like sturdy hangers, storage bins, or drawer dividers to help you keep everything tidy.
In general, I like to start by hanging up any items that absolutely need to be hung: outerwear, shirts, dresses, etc. Divide your clothing into categories (e.g., tops, bottoms, dresses, outerwear), then sub-categorize each category by type or purpose (e.g., work clothes, casual wear, formal attire).
Next, I fold and arrange items like sweaters, t-shirts, and bottoms that I store on shelves in my closet; you might also store these items in your dresser. Again, store similar items together, and sub-categorize by type or purpose. This is my preferred method for organizing my closet, but implement a system that works for you – whether color-coded, categorized by type, or organized by frequency of use.
Once your clothes have a proper place, you can focus on shoes and accessories. Maximize vertical space by using hooks for bags, scarves, or belts. This has saved so much space in my closet! Display shoes on shoe racks or in clear shoe boxes to organize and protect your footwear while keeping them visible.
Place frequently worn items at eye level or within easy reach for convenience. I keep my everyday accessories and bags on lower shelves so they’re easily accessible. Use drawer dividers for smaller items like socks, underwear, or accessories.
Lastly, think of ways to improve the experience of getting dressed. Simple changes like adding mirrors, lighting, or a small ottoman (if you have the room) can transform the look and feel of your dressing room or closet.
Shop Closet Organization
7. Fill in the Gaps
With everything sorted and organized, make note of any items you’d like to add to your wardrobe. This is also why I’d recommend starting your closet cleanout earlier in the season rather than later; you’ll be able to update your wardrobe before the changing weather arrives.
Are there wardrobe basics missing from your closet? Could you use some trendier pieces to brighten up your wardrobe? Think about items that can be easily mixed and matched with what you already own.
Decide what you need and what you want, then create a list of these items to prevent impulse purchases and ensure you're addressing specific gaps.
Be sure to set a budget too. Remember, you don't have to buy it all at once. Gradual additions will help you curate a well-rounded wardrobe without a pricy shopping spree.
Read More: How to Transition Your Wardrobe from Winter to Spring
8. Maintain Your Organized Closet
At last, your closet is well-organized and clutter-free! Now how do you maintain it Developing the right habits, of course.
Establish a system for regular maintenance. I prefer to do a closet purge every season, which is a great way to constantly evaluate my wardrobe as well as my organization systems.
This is a good long-term habit, but to keep your closet organized day-to-day, incorporate a daily tidying session into your routine. Maybe you prefer to clean as you go, or maybe you like to batch all of your cleaning to the end of the day. Whatever works for you, make sure you are consistent to sustain the organized space you've created.
Congrats, you’ve made it through your closet cleanout! To keep your closet clutter-free, stick to the habits you've built during this process.
Although it’s winter as I’m writing this, I’ve already scheduled a closet cleaning session for spring. Anyone else ready for a change of seasons?
How are you cleaning out your closet this season? Let me know in the comments below.
