It is time for closet organization again at my house. It happens regularly about once per year and that way I keep my closet in good working order and everything is where I need it to be when I need it. I actually follow my own advice ( How to Organized a Closet and Clothes Shopping for Organized Living) and my most recent shopping trip was very productive. Once I found a jacket that fit, I bought three in different colors and the same for new tops and pants. When everything came home it was pretty obvious that I would have to get rid of stuff in order to make room. The one in one out rule is essential for clutter control - hey I am following my own advice again! Your closet organizing efforts (and mine) require regular wardrobe editing to make sure you do not run out of room in your closet. Most closet organization experts would say to get three boxes or bags labeled toss, donate, and keep as a way to sort through your clothing. However, I toss clothing regularly if it is not in a state of good repair so I seldom need a toss box. I figure I already have enough things to look after why keep something around that is not worth looking after? All of my clothing is in good condition so anything I have not worn in the last year gets donated. I have one donation box where I put anything that is ordinary or really outdated and that goes to the thrift store. The really good quality clothing I donate to a clothing exchange for women who are starting over on their own after leaving abusive relationships. These women often have nothing but the clothes on their back when they enter a shelter and need good quality career type clothing to look for work. The clothing exchange requires that all clothing be neatly pressed and on hangers so it takes a bit of effort on my part but I consider it my contribution. Here is how I manage it when I organize my closet and edit my wardrobe to make room for the new stuff (and there was a lot this time!). All the clothing I am no longer wearing comes out of the closet. I switch it over to wire hangers because I am not donating my good quality wooden hangers. All the jackets and pants or skirts get matched up and the pants or skirts get safety pinned to the hanger and the matching jacket goes over top. Anything that need pressing gets hung on the valet rod and I just do a bit of ironing everyday until it is all done. I wash any of my new purchases that need it ( I like to get rid of the sizing in some of the fabric) and then place them all back in the closet on the wooden hangers placing like with like. For me, closet organization seldom takes more than an hour or two and I do this about once or twice per year. Closet Organization Confessions This time I had to get rid of some really nice stuff that I was not wearing and keeping for sentimental reasons. We all do it - nobody is perfect! But quite frankly I ran out of room so something had to go. Several of these items were hand made creations. They deserve to be worn and they were just hanging in my closet. I only hope that the next person who gets to wear those pieces loves them as much as I did.
Closet Organization
