Last week we shared our process for spring cleaning your home. Now that the weather is starting to consistently stay warm, we’ll want to spend less time indoors and spend more time outdoors gardening or going for walks, all within social distancing requirements.

This week, we’d like to share how you can organize your closets in three easy steps. It doesn’t have to be complicated and this is the perfect time to remove winter clothing to make room for your spring and summer wardrobe.

1. Supplies

As with last week’s message, we recommended specific supplies for your spring cleaning project. This week is no exception. Here is what we recommend:

• Clear bags for clothing and other items you are going to donate or give to others. Clear bags allow you and the charities to see what is inside and you don’t risk throwing it out with the regular garbage bags.
• Clear storage containers for the clothing, shoes and bags you will keep. As with the clear bags, clear containers allow you to see what is inside. If you do not have clear containers, ensure you label your containers using labels that identify the contents of the containers.
• Garbage bags for the items that are no longer in their prime; items that are stained, torn, or are simply worn out. If you would not accept it if someone donated or gifted it to you, don’t donate it to others. Let it go to the trash. (Note: if you can reuse the material for other things, by all means do so but ensure you have plan to use it within 3 months otherwise it will become clutter.
• Note: during this time of COVID-19, most charities are not accepting donations. You can call the ones that mean the most to you, or seem like the most convenient to use, and ask if they are accepting donations and what their safety protocols are. This will ensure that your items can be used by someone in need and will be warmly accepted. You can also call upon 1-800-GOT-JUNK? to help you with your removal. They are working with No Contact Junk Removal and can help you properly dispose of your items.

2. Group By Like-Kind

• When you begin sorting, group items by like-kind. Pants go together in one pile. Sweaters in another, and so on. Once you have removed all items from one area or the entire closet and you have grouped them by like-kind, you will then see how much of one type of item you have.
• On average, we wear 20% of what we own 80% of the time, which will mean you will clearly see what you have worn most of the time. These are the items that you are likely to wear again now or into next or this year’s season. Be honest with yourself and trust that you can let go of what you no longer love, wear, or fit into.

3. Keep only what you love and know you will wear 80% of the time.

• This is the hardest part of sorting. Deciding what to keep. As mentioned above, on average we wear/use 20% of what we own 80% of the time. There will be your non-negotiables, things you just can’t live without. Those are in your keep pile. And make sure they are part of the 20% you wear 80% of the time. The exception to this is dress clothing or special occasion items that you only wear for those times that come 1-2 per year. But, and there’s a but, if you haven’t worn it for the last 3-4 special occasions, it’s time to let it go. Keep one or two items that you absolutely love and let go of the rest.
• As you sort last season’s items or you’re bringing into your closet this season’s items, sort without mercy. Keep what you love and let go of the rest. You will be happy you did!
• When you are putting items back onto their hangers in the closet, be sure to put the hangers facing all the same way. As you use an item and put it back after wearing or laundering, turn the hanger the opposite direction. This will give you a clear indication of your 20/80 pieces and you can begin to let go of other items that you just don’t love as much and don’t wear or use.

Organizing your closets can be done quickly and with little stress if you go into the project knowing that you will make decisions that honour what you absolutely love and use/wear.

Let us know how you do. And if you get stuck, or you have questions, do not hesitate to contact us or call us at 613-841-0220. We’d love to help! We are offering virtual organizing sessions to help you. We’ll book a mutually convenient time and we’ll use Zoom or FaceTime and help you with your decluttering and organizing project. Give it a try! We’re here to help.

Have a wonderful week and remember, you do not have to do it alone.