We know how it goes. You start with good intentions, armed with a trash bag and a donation box. You face the closet door, determined to get rid of at least half of what you’ve got stored in there. But then, as you go through your clothes, it’s all too hard to get rid of, for one reason or another.
“It was so expensive!”
“I wore that on my honeymoon!”
“That was my favorite sweater last year.”
It’s so hard to get rid of clothes that we have invested money in or have an emotional attachment to. That’s why we’ve come up with five tips that will make it so much easier to get rid of those clothes and create some breathing room in your closet.
1. Toss the obvious ones (guilt free).
Anything that is ripped or badly stained needs to go. Period. Don’t waste your time thinking, “Oh, I could get that repaired,” or “I should try that new stain remover.” Just let it go. You don’t want to hold on to anything that will make you look sloppy when you wear it.
2. The hanger trick.
At the start of a new month, turn all the hangers in your closet backwards (facing the opposite way they usually face). As you wear items and wash them, when you put them back on the hanger, turn the hanger back around to be facing the correct way. At the end of a set period of time (say, a month or two), look at all the items still hanging on backwards hangers. They should be the things you haven’t worn in a while. This makes it easier to see what you’re wearing regularly—and what you never reach for anymore.
3. Try things on.
Don’t just look at things to decide if you still like them or not. Try them on. See how they fit. Does the color match your new hair color? Have you lost or gained weight since buying this? Has it shrunk? Do you even like it anymore? If you don’t like the way it looks, get rid of it—immediately. Too hard to do it on your own? Ask your most honest friend to come over to give you a second opinion.
4. Temporary storage.
If you’re on the fence about a particular item, but don’t want to get rid of it just yet, put it in a storage box and keep it out of sight for a while. Do you find yourself missing that specific item? Can you even remember what you put in there? Chances are, if it wasn’t getting used or worn regularly, you won’t miss it. If you can go a whole month without touching the box, it’s time to throw it away. (By the way, this technique works really well for decluttering other areas of your house, too. If you decide to declutter the whole house, you may want to consider getting a storage unit for all your temporary storage needs.)
5. Define your personal “style.”
This one might take a little more thought and work, but it’ll be worth it in the end. Spend a little time defining your personal style. What clothes do you love to wear? How often do you wear certain types of clothes (athletic wear, special occasion outfits, business attire, etc.)? What colors, cuts, fits, shapes, and patterns do you like on your body? Once you’ve answered those questions, it’ll be easier to go through your closet and get rid of pieces that don’t fit your specific criteria.
Our wardrobes play a big part in our personal sense of self and style. By only keeping items you’ll actually wear, you’ll make your life so much easier, and your home much more clutter-free!
Need a self-storage unit to help rid your house of clutter? Gilbert Self Storage can help with units that are secure and affordable. With a wide variety of size options, you’ll be sure to find a unit that works perfectly for your needs. Visit one of our other locations in Phoenix, Glendale, Deer Valley, and Chandler, or call 480-386-6022 for more information.
