Spring is the perfect time to clean out and organize your closets and drawers. A thorough spring cleaning can help declutter your home, make space for new items, and give you a fresh start for the new season. Follow these tips for a successful closet and drawer spring clean.
Sort Through Your Clothes and Remove Items You No Longer Need
The first step is to go through all your clothes and decide what to keep and what to let go.
As you sort, ask yourself these questions about each item:
- Have I worn this in the past year?
- Does this still fit properly?
- Is this item pilled, stained, or damaged beyond repair?
- Do I have multiple items just like this that I don’t need?
- Does this item spark joy or fit my current style?
Be ruthless and make four piles:
- Keep – items I love and wear regularly
- Donate – gently used items in good condition
- Consign – higher end or designer items in excellent condition
- Toss – items that are ripped, stained, or unwearable
Only keep items you absolutely love and that fit your lifestyle. Be bold and let go of pieces you never wear! Getting rid of clutter makes room for new finds.
Deep Clean Your Closets, Drawers, and Shelves
Now it’s time to fully clean out your closets, dressers, and shelves. Take everything out so you have an empty canvas.
As you empty each space, be sure to:
- Vacuum floors and wipe down shelves
- Check for stains and mildew on walls and ceilings
- Wipe down drawers inside and out
- Clean closet rods and hangers with disinfectant
- Toss any damaged storage items like worn bins or shelves
A thorough deep clean makes your space feel fresh and new.
Organize and Categorize Your Items
Putting like items together into categories helps keep your space tidy. Use organizers like shelves, bins, and dividers to separate:
- Tops and shirts
- Pants and jeans
- Dresses and skirts
- Activewear and loungewear
- Undergarments and socks
- Sweaters and long sleeves
- Outerwear and jackets
For drawers:
- Fold tops, pants, and undergarments neatly into piles or use dividers
- Roll socks together or store upright in compartment boxes
- Use trays or dividers for jewelry, accessories, and small items
Grouping similar garments makes it easy to see what you have and pick out outfits.
Arrange Your Items from Light to Heavy
When putting items back into your closet and drawers, use this order:
- Lightest items like shirts and blouses
- Medium weight like pants, skirts, and lightweight sweaters
- Heavy knits, sweaters, and cold weather wear
- Outerwear and heavy jackets
This ensures you can see all your choices easily without heavier items covering up lighter ones behind them.
Store Out of Season Items Separately
Pack up clothing that’s out of season in vacuum seal bags or storage containers. Label them by season so you can rotate when the weather changes. Consider storing off-season items:
- Under the bed
- On a shelf in the closet
- In the attic or basement
This leaves your main storage areas open for the clothes you need right now.
Maintain with Occasional Decluttering
Do a quick decluttering once per season to tidy up and get rid of items you didn’t wear. Organize accessories like scarves, hats, and purses at the same time. Keeping up with occasional maintenance keeps closets and drawers neatly organized.
With these tips, you can thoroughly clean and organize your closets and drawers. Taking the time for a deep spring clean makes getting dressed easier all year long!
