Warm breezes, gentle sunshine, and colorful flowers lifting their petals to the sky signal the end of winter. You may look forward to changing from heavy coats to lightweight jackets and from boots to sandals. However, if you open your closet door and feel overwhelmed by bulky coats, sweaters and clutter, don’t despair. Here are six tips for spring cleaning your closet.
Tip 1: Make a Plan
Planning gets you psyched up for your closet refresh, and when you schedule the day, you can be sure there are no conflicts or demands to get in the way. Make a list of the things you’ll need, such as several garbage bags to separate items to be cleaned, recycled, thrown away or donated. You will also want sturdy boxes, garment bags, cartons and baskets to store winter clothing and accessories.
Think ahead about items that should probably be replaced after months of use. For example, the elastic on bras and panties often loses its stretch after repeated launderings. Get some brand-new panties and bras for women so that your new season’s wardrobe looks and feels fresh and comfortable.
Experts recommend storing winter clothes in cloth storage bags, garment bags or plastic bins that are not airtight to make sure cloth fibers and textiles can breathe while they are stored. Make sure you have a space ready for your packed winter things.
Tip 2: Remove Everything and Sort Ruthlessly
On the appointed day, take everything out of the closet. Sort as you go. Inspect each item and evaluate its usefulness. Did you wear it during the last season? Does it fit? Is it too worn, stained or faded to keep? Although it may be hard to throw away your favorite fluffy sweater or coat, a critical appraisal will help you discard items that take up valuable space.
As you cull, put usable items in a bag for donation. The Salvation Army, Red Cross, Goodwill, Planet Aid, homeless shelters and women’s shelters usually take clean, gently used items, including shoes and accessories.
Place coats and heavy jackets in one pile. Inspect them for stains, missing buttons or worn areas. Separate them into those that can be brushed and stored, those that need mending and those that must be washed or dry cleaned. Store coats, jackets and other outerwear on hangers, not folded in boxes. Folding can weaken the fabric along the fold lines and create wrinkles. Place dryer sheets in the bottom to freshen fabrics if you use garment bags.
Sort your other clothing the same way, discarding items that are worn out, don’t fit or haven’t been used in more than a year. Hang trousers, blouses and shirts. Store woolen and silk items in moth-proof garment bags or bins. Jeans, leggings, undergarments, bathrobes and accessories, including mittens, caps and socks, can be folded and stored.
As you sort, inspect undergarments for stains, loss of elasticity or other signs of wear. Consider whether undergarments should be stored or discarded. If you store bras, lay them flat to preserve their shape.
Examine shoes for signs of wear. Repair worn heels or scuffs. Wipe with a soft cloth to remove dust and grime, and place them in shoe boxes or caddies. Ideally, insert acid-free paper or bubble wrap to preserve their shape.
Tip 3: Clean the Inside of the Closet
After months of use, your closet is probably full of dust and spider webs. Brush the ceiling, walls and corners to remove cobwebs. Use a damp cloth to wipe shelves and hanging rods. Vacuum the walls and carpet. If your closet has washable walls and flooring, wash them with vinegar, soap and water. Rinse well. The inside of your closet should look and smell fresh, ready for the new season’s wardrobe!
Tip 4: Evaluate Your Closet’s Storage Capacity
After your closet is empty, evaluate the functionality of the space. Do you need more shelves? Would built-in shoe racks or more hanging space help? If so, you can ask for professional help or go to a local home improvement center to get materials to expand the usable space.
Double-decker poles add a second tier, increasing the hanging space for jackets, shirts, blouses and slacks. Add wire shelving at the ends of the closet to increase shelf space. Look up as well. There is often a lot of usable storage space above a top shelf. You can add another shelf or store seldom-used items there.
Tip 5: Store Your Winter Clothing Safely
Store your winter gear in an air-conditioned space or a place with good air circulation. A spare closet is ideal. As you remove one season’s clothing, you can fill the space with the newly packed off-season items. If you have a lot of items, consider a climate-controlled commercial storage facility.
Tip 6: Unpack Your Spring and Summer Wardrobe
Go through the same sorting process as you unpack your spring and summer clothing. After not seeing these items for months, you may notice that they don’t look as fresh and new as when you packed them.
Examine each piece before you put it into the closet. Are the soles of the sandals worn out? Do the shorts seem faded or frayed at the seams? Is the elastic on panties or bathing suits droopy? If so, discard. To look and feel your best, replace old panties with new ones that enhance your shape and disappear beneath your clothing.
As you unpack, place items in the closet so that those you use the most are easily accessible. If you have expanded the storage capacity of your closet, you can create a place for each item, making it easier to find what you want and easier to put it back.
Enjoy Your Clean, Organized Closet
After you weed out old items and replace worn clothing with new ones, you may feel like you have a new wardrobe. Best of all, your closet will look tidy and organized. Promise yourself to keep it fresh by vacuuming, dusting and organizing it regularly. When the seasons change from summer to fall and you unpack your cold-weather gear, you will be glad you stored it carefully.
