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Give Your Closet a Clean Sweep with Kathi Burns!
Our Clean That Closet Challenge is barely underway, and already we’re hearing from people asking for help with their closets. Each week during the challenge, professional organizer Kathi Burns will advise one person how to solve a major closet problem. In this month’s newsletter, we’re sharing the expert advice that Kathi gave to Tracey, who lives in Oswego, Illinois. If Tracey’s closet problem sounds familiar, you can roll up your sleeves, dive into your problem closet and know you’ve got a pro on your side.
Stay tuned to the Space Savers community blog for the weekly post from Kathi as she helps one lucky Clean That Closet Challenge entrant tackle an out-of-control closet. You can learn more about the challenge and how to win a private consultation with Kathi, $1,000 gift card to Bed, Bath & Beyond and free Space Bag products. View our Clean That Closet Challenge page for all the details.
Tracey: My closet is a “walk-in,” but I’m not really able to walk into it because of all the things that have accumulated on the floor. In addition to several sizes of clothing that I don&rsquot wear, the closet stores my books, travel accessories, race gear, purses, boots and even Halloween costumes. It is in serious need of a makeover! Please help! P.S. My husband would thank you immensely. This closet plus a smaller one in the master bedroom are all mine. His clothes live in the guest bedroom.
Kathi: A quick way to get started is to pull everything off your floor and bring it into your room. Don’t worry about the hanging clothes yet. Make sure you have four bags or boxes. One for donate, one for alterations or repairs, one for trash and one for transferring to other places in your home.
Once your closet floor is empty, pick up and examine each item. As you look at each piece of clothing, ask yourself these questions: Is it the wrong size? Is it stained? Does it need repairs? If the answer is yes to any of these questions, place the item in either the donate, repair/alterations or trash bin. If you find this a tough assignment, here are some quick tips to help:
If it is too small, remember that your goal is to be able to walk into your closet, and your space is too precious to keep items that no longer fit. Holding onto clothes that do not fit is bad for your morale. Every time you see them, they will remind you of what you are not, which leads to a sense of inadequacy. Studies show that if you dress for your current size, you are more likely to lose weight because you will feel better and not be in a constant battle with who you are now.
If you decide to save clothes that are too small, keep only items that are in great shape and a classic style. Remember, when you lose weight you will not want to wear something that is out of style or the wrong color or cut for your body shape. Reward yourself later with new up-to-date clothes and get rid of the ones that were trendy or are frumpy right now.
For the clothes that you decide to keep that don’t fit, store them elsewhere. I suggest sealing them in Space Bag vacuum-seal storage bags. They compress bulky items and also protect them from dirt, bugs and mildew. You can then store the sealed bags in the closet, attic, basement or under the bed.
Stained or damaged items need to be cleaned or repaired. If that doesn’t work, they should be eliminated from your wardrobe for your own self-esteem and image.
If an item is in good shape, the right color and fits your figure and life style, place it on a hangar for safe return to your closet.
For items you don’t wear regularly, move them out of your closet and either donate or store them. Be realistic about the books that have been gathering dust on the floor. Is that the best place to store them? Will you really ever read them again? As for your Halloween outfit, store it together with all your Halloween décor.
Travel accessories are best stored in your luggage. Keep a small bag tucked inside your main suitcase for mini items to refill as needed. Luggage can be stored up high in the garage unless you travel frequently for business.
Your goal should be to assemble the items you wear regularly so they fit comfortably into your walk-in closet, and reward your husband with the smaller closet in the master bedroom. We only wear 20 percent of our closets clothes anyway, so give him a break and a piece of the prime real estate. You will gain long-lasting brownie points and a happier home, even if he says he doesn’t care.
After you have used these tips to eliminate the items cluttering your closet floor, you can continue to go through the rest of the clothes that are hanging. If you find this closet challenge daunting, consider asking a friend to help you keep focused until your closet is organized and once again functional. Then, you can help your friend get organized! By now, of course, you’re a master.
For more closet organizing tips, visit www.addSpaceToYourLife.com.
