Tips for decluttering and organising your wardrobe
1. Organise your clothes by season
2. Decide what you want to 
3. Storage your belongings wisely
4. Donate what you don't need

With the changing of the seasons, our wardrobe changes as well, even if it’s just from summer pyjamas to the winter ones. So, just like every year, the time to declutter and organise everything arrives at our doorstep. And even though the world is a bit crazy right now, we must not procrastinate our yearly traditions, even if it’s just to keep us sane.

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Read on to learn more about organising and decluttering your closet efficiently, no matter how big or small it is. Put on some music or a podcast and start putting things in order!

1. Organise your clothes by season 

The first thing you have to do is probably the easiest. Just put away the clothes that are inappropriate for the season in question. Summer clothes have no place in your fall and winter wardrobe. Take everything out, place the clothes on your bed and divide the ones you will use in the next few months and the ones that need to be put away until next year (hopefully we’ll actually get to wear them this time). 

Use this to check if there are any clothes you don’t need at all – victims of a sporadic shopping spree or something you haven’t worn in years but can’t throw away because of sentimentality. Clothes like this, you can donate or give to friends, but more on that later!

Pro tip: Don’t iron clothes before storing them for the season! It will weaken the fibres and most likely damage them. 

2. Decide what you want to keep

That’s always a hard one. People easily get emotionally attached to clothes and shoes, making it very hard to decide what to keep. In fact, the emotional side of sorting is a major reason why some employ a professional organiser for decluttering help. Our advice is to be realistic about the situation but still don’t forget we’re in the middle of a global pandemic. The general rule is to throw away everything you haven’t worn in a year or more. However, make the difference – did you not wear this because it was a spontaneous purchase that you regretted a day after or because you didn’t have the chance to? Try to imagine situations in which you will wear that item, and if you manage to think of a lot, then it’s okay to keep it. The same goes for clothes which are no longer in your style and don’t fit you as they did before. Just throw everything on the bed and take your time in deciding what is worth keeping and what not.

3. Storage your belongings wisely 

If you have a small apartment and not enough closet space, you will probably have to be very creative about the way you will store the clothes you want to keep for the future. One of the most space-saving items is the vacuum-sealed storage bag. Having a bunch of those will really help you out as they can be put almost anywhere once the air is out – under the bed, in the attic, cupboards, etc. They also preserve the clothes very well, not letting any bugs or moisture to get inside so that when you take the clothes out again, they won’t be all covered in mould and nasty moths. 

Another thing that we recommend using is plenty of hard plastic boxes. It’s not very wise to put items of clothing and shoes in the cardboard or wood boxes because they are more prone to mould and other environmental changes. Keeping your items in plastic boxes will preserve their initial condition, and because they are transparent, you can also find the thing you need a lot faster. 

For the clothes that you need to keep stored for a longer period, such as wedding dresses or suits, use an acid-free storage box. Most of those clothes are quite sensitive to heat and moisture, so using a box like this will make sure that they are in top condition once you need them again. But in case you don't have the time and energy to organize them all and squeeze it in on your small space, might as well consider a self storage in Horsham."

4. Donate what you don’t need 

Donating your clothes and shoes is one of the best things you can do when you no longer need them. First, of course, you can check with family and friends to see if they need anything. But whatever’s left don’t hesitate to give it to the people that truly need it. Here are the current options for donations that you should consider:

1. Local women shelters 

Check out the Refuge against domestic violence website to find nearby places where you can donate your old clothing, shoes, and other items. Of course, there are other organisations you can check out, as well. Keep in mind that they often need baby gear and clothes too, so if you have any that you don’t need, consider donating them, as well.

2. Drop-off services and donation pickup spots 

Many organisations such as the TRAID charity shops, The Salvation Army, and the British Heart Foundation, have created special pickup spots and drop-off services for people who want to donate items but are either isolated or unable to travel. Every region has a web page that you can visit so that you know that situation is in your area. Keep in mind that currently there are many people donating items, so you might have to wait a bit before you can give them away. 

3. Local soup kitchen 

With unemployment rising constantly, more and more people turn to soup kitchens for help, so many of those centres have started accepting other items as donations such as clothes and common household items. Check with your local kitchen to see if they will need any of the clothing or shoes you don’t need anymore. Bear in mind that they usually accept only seasonal items because of the lack of storage in the facilities. 

4. Refugee shelters 

Refugees will always need a little help in order to start their new life. There are many families that use whatever little money they have for their kids, leaving them without the essentials. Still, make sure to reach out to the organisation first, check if they are taking donations before you rush in with a bag full of clothes. 

5. Social media 

The majority of social media platforms can be easily used to offer items for free such as Facebook groups, Craigslist, Freecycle, etc. Look out for local swap groups and offer your items there. You can find something for yourself, as well! Plus, there is no tax as it’s not an official donation.

Conclusion

Organising your closet and getting rid of old clothes is not an easy task and it can surely take up a lot of your time. Still, we recommend that you do it at least twice per year, or when the seasons change. It will make your life a lot easier, and if you donate a big part of your clothes, you will also do a lot of good. 

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