How to clean out and organize your closet

Step 1: Let go and start fresh

Start by discovering what is hiding in the back of your closet. Take out all your clothes and sort them into different categories. For example, put your sweaters in one pile, pants in another pile, and so on. Go through each category and ask yourself why you have saved these particular items. Consider how often they are used and how well they fit you. Then try to make some tough decisions until you have removed some items from each category.

Step 2: Give away or exchange

Throwing away old clothes benefits no one, so check with your friends and family members if they want your clothes. Or if you are not quite ready to let go, someone may want to exchange clothes with you. Starting a clothing exchange with friends is a smart way to test new styles without having to buy new clothes. If no one you know is able take your old clothes, you can still put them to good use by reselling or donating them.

If your clothes are too damaged or worn out, we recommend finding a local recycling center where you can properly dispose of textiles. Or why not challenge yourself to find new creative ways to use old torn-up textiles? Maybe you can sew together a patchwork blanket or a tote bag from old T-shirts? Let your imagination take the wheel.

Step 3: Remove pilling and fuzz

Once you have decided what you want to keep in your closet, it is time to freshen up your garments a bit. Light wear and tear such as pilling is easy to remove. A common misconception is that pilling is an indication of poor fabric quality, but this is not always true. Pills are simply excess fibers that rise to the surface of certain textiles, which is completely natural even for more exclusive materials like cashmere. Shave off the pilling with a fabric shaver to make your clothes look and feel new again.

Other minor imperfections can also be fixed with the right tools and a little patience. Sew back buttons that have fallen off, patch over small holes, and cut off loose threads. Surface dirt, lint, and dust can easily be removed using a clothing brush. We recommend avoiding disposable products and instead opt for clothing care products that will last for a long time. Our reusable lint brush is a modern alternative to the disposable lint roller that quickly and gently removes lint, hair, and dust from all kinds of textiles.

Step 4: Let your clothes breathe

Clothes and home textiles that have been tucked away in a tight space may have become wrinkly and stale. Your first instinct might be to wash your clothes to get rid of any odors and iron to get rid of wrinkles and creases. However, washing and ironing will wear out the textiles and should be done as infrequently as possible. Instead, we recommend steaming your garments.

Steaming is a gentle and energy-efficient alternative to both washing and ironing and is especially useful when you want to quickly refresh your clothes. The hot steam attacks bacteria and odors while making the garments wrinkle-free. Steaming also causes fibers in the fabrics to swell and regain their natural shape and texture. If you still prefer a classic pressed effect, Cirrus 3 Iron Steamer can both steam and iron your clothes.

Step 5: Optimize your closet space

When your clothes are fresh and wrinkle-free, it’s time to organize your closet. If you are still lacking storage space even after cleaning out some clothes, a space saving hanger is a smart way to fit more hangers on the same clothing rack. This step is also an excellent opportunity to rotate the garments and make room for the clothes that were previously hidden in the back of the closet. Let yourself fall in love with your old clothes again and discover new ways to combine, match and layer different items of clothing.

Step 6: Create a timeless wardrobe

The fashion industry today is largely characterized by impulse purchases and fast fashion. Statistics vary, but it is said that we use an average of 20% of the clothes that hang in our closets. This figure, in combination with the consumption patterns we see today, is food for thought. With a freshly cleaned-out and re-organized closet, take the opportunity to reflect on what you want your ideal wardrobe to look like.

Think about how you can build a timeless wardrobe with carefully curated colors, materials, and styles that suit your personal taste. If you are able, try to invest in high-quality garments and home textiles that you can see yourself using for many years to come. Trends will come and go, but in the long run, it is important to invest in clothes that make you feel good.

Step 7: Make your clothes last

Finally, don’t forget to pamper your favorite clothes to get the most value out of the clothes you already own. Using gentle clothing care products will prolong the lifespan of the textiles while improving their appearance. When properly cared for, clothes can last for decades and even generations to come.

Good luck and enjoy your organized closet!