We use closets to store the clothes we wear, and some of us even have separate compartments for our shoes and accessories. When we start the day and go through the closet to find something we can wear, the overall state of the wardrobe can affect our mindset for the rest of the day.
If you start your day rummaging through the closet and growing irritated because you can’t find what you are looking for and end up wearing something less than you had in mind, negative thoughts are sure to follow you all day. On the contrary, if you had a swift time dressing up because everything was organized and easy to find, you might experience a much more comfortable and relaxed day.
Keeping your closet clean and organized is a great way to start living a better life. There is simply no excuse for keeping a messy closet; you just need to know where to start. We are here to help you get on the right track by offering a few simple tips.
Purge old and unwanted clothes
The first step of reorganizing your closet is decluttering. You need to take a long, hard look at every piece of clothing and accessory that you find inside and ask yourself, do I still want to wear this?
Purging is usually the toughest part of cleaning out your closet because clothes come with a lot of memories. When you think about throwing out your old clothes, you are actually more concerned about forgetting sweet or painful memories that come with it. For instance, getting rid of a sweater that was given to you by your first crush can be difficult because of all the happy thoughts associated with it. The truth is, good memories are hard to forget, and if you forget about it because you lost a small token that reminds you, it probably was not that memorable, to begin with.
Then there are the clothes we still want to keep because we paid a hefty price for it. Everyone splurges on clothes from time to time, so you do not need to feel guilty about getting rid of your pricey jacket especially if it does not even fit anymore. Seeing that jacket might even trigger feelings of guilt and anxiety if you feel like you did not wear it enough to maximize the purchase.
Empty the closet and start cleaning
Once you have gotten rid of clothes that you won’t be wearing anymore, it is time to start cleaning your closet. Pull everything out until the closet is completely bare. Once it’s empty, you can better see the dust and dirt that has accumulated over the years.
Make sure to dust each and every corner of your closet until it feels clean enough for new clothes. Clean compartments, drawers, and hanging rods by using alcohol wipes or white vinegar solution if necessary. If you found any pests inside while cleaning, using cedar or insecticides might help protect your clothes better.
Cleaning the closet can take a lot of time, especially if you own a large one, so it might be best to schedule it on a day when you can focus on completing the task, such as a holiday or a weekend. Dividing the cleaning over the course of a day can also lessen stress and keep you from being overwhelmed with all the mess.
Don’t hesitate to decorate
It wouldn’t hurt to add a little customization to your closet. You can personalize your closet with paint, or you can opt for less permanent decors such as stickers. You can also set up sensor lights, LED bulbs, or fairy lights inside your closet so that even during nighttime, you won’t have any trouble looking for your things. Let’s face it, not all of us always makes the effort to turn on the lights in the room before opening the closet to look for something.
Hangers are necessary for your clothes, but it doesn’t mean you can’t go stylish with them. Swap your old hangers with new ones that can better complement your clothes and your closet. For example, plastic tubular hangers are ideal for shirts, blouses, and jeans as they bring out the color of these clothes. You can buy wooden hangers online if you have a lot of suits and jackets, as they can better support heavy garments while also adding a more formal and elegant touch.
Cleaning your closet can be challenging, but with the right mindset and effort, you can also turn it into a lot of fun. Seeing it completely clean and organized will be worth the energy and time that you’ll be putting in.