ORGANIZATION
5 simple steps will help you rework your closet disaster
What is behind your closet door? Orderly rows of shoes, stacks of folded T-shirts, and hanging clothes arranged by color and season?
Or do you have a situation that could be declared a national disaster? If it’s the latter, it’s time to get organized.
Here are simple steps to find calm in all that chaos. And what’s more, the same principles for organizing a clothes closet apply to linen or utility closets.
EVERYTHING OUT
That’s right, you must remove everything from the closet — all of it. Every last hanger, belt, fashionstatement purse and shoe. This lets you see exactly the space you have to work with.
DEEP CLEAN
Now that you can see the light of day, give that closet a good cleaning from top to bottom and if, after thorough cleaning, the space still looks a little grungy, apply a fresh coat of paint.
SEPARATE
Most people hate this step because it means getting rid of everything you do not use or wear.
But what choice do you have now that you’ve hauled it out into the open? There’s no way you could get all of this back into the closet, so buck up and get this job done.
First, get three big boxes, plastic bins, garbage bags or other containers that will allow you to separate everything.
Keep: The only items you put into this bin should be ones you have worn or used at least twice in the past year. Be brutally harsh. If it doesn’t fit today, it’s not likely to fit any time soon. Get rid of it.
Sell or donate: Clothes and other items that are not right for you but still have a useful life for someone else should go into this bin. What you consider ugly may be perfect for someone else. What no longer fits you will fit someone else. Take those items to a consignment store, or schedule a yard sale. Consider donating your good used items to the Salvation Army or another thrift store. Put all of these items in the garage or the back of the car, or get them out of the house in some other way.
Throw away: Clothes and shoes that are worn out, stained, broken or in some other state go into this bin. Work quickly to ease the pain. Empty this bin often to keep the process moving.
ORGANIZE
Divide the Keep bin by season, type and use. If possible, store out-ofseason items in another place in your home. Next, separate your work or professional clothes from your casual attire. Now divide each pile into common wear and infrequent wear, arranging them so items you wear most often are handiest.
EQUIPMENT
At the minimum, you need a sturdy shoe rack, good hangers and shelves, in addition to your standard hanging rod.
Shoe rack: You have lots of choices, but it all depends on the space you have to store shoes. If your closet just can’t handle shoes and clothes, you might want to consider storing your shoes in another area.
Hangers: I can tell you from experience that when you have matching hangers throughout your closet, you’ll be more prone to hanging up your clothes and keeping things organized. Again, you have lots of choices.
Shelves: A good shelving system that optimizes the space in your closet will make all the difference when it comes to keeping your closet organized. Investing in a few good organizational pieces will make organizing your closet — and keeping it organized — a snap.
Everyday Cheapskate:
Mary invites questions, comments and tips at EverydayCheapskate.com, “Ask Mary a Question.” This column will answer questions of general in-terest, but letters cannot be answered individually.