The Ultimate Guide to Spring Cleaning Your Closet
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Source: Anthropologie
Spring brings not only fresh blooms and sunnier days but also the perfect opportunity to revamp and reorganize our spaces. And what better place to start than with our closets? A cluttered, disorganized closet can add unnecessary stress to our daily routines. And before curating your spring wardrobe, it can be helpful to have a clean slate. If you’re ready to upgrade your wardrobe and declutter like a pro, here is your ultimate guide to spring cleaning your closet.
The Ultimate Guide to Spring Cleaning Your Closet
1. Set the Mood
Spring signifies new beginnings. Start your journey to a decluttered closet by embracing the fresh energy this season brings. Clearing out the old allows space for the new, setting the tone for a more organized lifestyle. Create a spring playlist to instantly get yourself in the mood. Light a fresh or floral-scented candle to further boost the ambiance. Prepare a coffee or tea to savor as you begin your spring cleaning. By curating a conducive atmosphere that reflects the new season, my mindset also better reflects the seasonal shift and I’m able to set clear goals and priorities.
Read More: 9 Ways to Refresh Your Space for Spring
2. Prepare for Spring Cleaning
Before diving in, decide what you want to achieve from this process and how you envision your ideal closet space. Define specific goals such as creating a capsule wardrobe, incorporating more sustainable fashion, or simply achieving a more organized space. This will help you stay focused as you go through your closet.
Use tools like Pinterest or mood boards to collect images that represent your desired style and organization. Create a visual reference to guide your decisions while shopping or organizing your closet. If your goal is to curate a cohesive spring wardrobe, search for images that reflect the styles or trends you'd like to incorporate. If you’re focused more on organizing the items that you already own, find images of what your dream closet looks like.
Then, gather your cleaning essentials – bins, boxes, labels, and cleaning supplies. Prepare containers to “donate,” “discard,” and “store” items.
Read More: Minimalist Spring Capsule Wardrobe 2024
3. Start Sorting
With clear intentions in mind for your closet makeover, it’s time to begin the sorting process. There is no best method for decluttering, but I like to start by putting any winter items in my “to be stored” box and bringing out any spring clothes that I’ve previously stored. This allows me to see all my seasonal clothes so that I have an idea of my general spring style.
Now it’s time to go through the remaining items. Identify pieces that bring you joy and serve a purpose in your life. Consider Marie Kondo's advice: keep items that spark joy and let go of those that no longer serve you.
Reference your vision board if you’re stuck on whether to keep or get rid of an item. I 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?
Read More: How to Create a Capsule Wardrobe in 2024
4. Store Seasonal Items
Storing your seasonal winter clothing properly will preserve their 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 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 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 Wardrobe: 10 Clothing Care Essentials
5. Donate Items
Research local charities, shelters, or donation centers that accept clothing donations. I donate my clothing items to The Salvation Army in my city, but I’ve also given clothing donations to Goodwill in the past. If you have a lot of professional attire to donate, consider donating them to Dress for Success, an organization that aims to empower women by providing them with appropriate work attire. Have a few formal dresses that no longer serve you? Consider donating them to Becca's Closet, a non-profit organization that donates free prom dresses to high school girls. Wherever you decide to donate your clothing items, you can feel good knowing that your clothes will bring joy to those in your community.
6. Organize Everything
This is my favorite part of the process: organizing! Now that you’ve decided on which pieces to keep in your closet, it’s time to organize them and maximize your closet space. How you arrange everything will depend on your unique space, which is why I’d recommend browsing Pinterest for storage 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).
Then 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 my clothes have a proper place, I 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 overall experience of getting dressed. Simple changes like adding mirrors, lighting, or a small pouf can transform the look and feel of your closet.
7. Fill in the Gaps
Everything is sorted and organized; now is the perfect time to make note of any items you’d like to add to your spring wardrobe. This is also why I’d recommend starting your spring cleaning earlier than later; you’ll be able to update your wardrobe before the warmer 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. Set a budget. You don't have to do it all at once; gradual additions can build a well-rounded wardrobe.
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. 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 this closet spring cleaning! Enjoy your refreshed and organized closet. It will not only simplify your daily routine, but also improve your overall living space. Continue maintaining the habits you've cultivated for a clutter-free closet this spring. Although it’s winter as I’m writing this, I’ve already marked my closet cleaning on my calendar. Who else is already excited for spring?
How are you spring cleaning your closet? Let me know in the comments below.
