How To Be Ruthless When Decluttering Clothes

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If you’re looking for something productive to do when you are stuck at home and want to dig into a good project to distract you from the outside world, there’s nothing like a good spring cleaning. And there’s no better place to start than your closet. The key to success here is that you must be ruthless when decluttering clothes, and trust me when you’re done, the sense of accomplishment will be worth the effort.

So turn off the TV for a bit, forget about the memes, stop scrolling your phone, and dig into this easy step-by-step guide to cleaning out your closet.

I tend to be a bit of a procrastinator for some things around the house as I am not a type-A personality but this is one task I normally perform twice a year.

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Why Does Decluttering Your Clothes Feels So Good Anyway?

There’s just something about decluttering the closet (or any area of the home) that gives me a sense of calm.

Call it what you will…a clean slate, a fresh start…there’s just something about creating order for me that reduces anxiety. And tbh, I DO let things get out of order sometimes.

The psychology behind it says decluttering makes us feel good by increasing our confidence and helping us see ourselves as competent. Maybe you’ve heard that expression cluttered house, cluttered mind. It certainly rings true to me.

We live in a fairly small home so it can be challenging, but there’s one thing I know for sure. I sleep better knowing I am not surrounded by chaos. Those of you who may know me will agree that I’m not a neat freak by nature, it’s something I have to work on and maybe you’re like me.

But I really have found some great strategies for not allowing myself to get overwhelmed by housework and clutter. And if I can do it, anyone can do it.

Can I Really Be Ruthless When Decluttering My Clothes?

Maybe you just need that little push in the right direction for motivation.

You know you should do it but maybe life just gets in the way and you procrastinate. No worries. You’re here now and ready to take on the challenge. You can do it! These tips will guide you and show you how to be ruthless when decluttering those clothes!

I generally like to do it all in one day but if that seems overwhelming to you, split it into two days. One for the dressers and one for the closet. It may seem a little daunting at first but once you get going on it, it’s really not that bad. And the feeling of accomplishment you’ll get will be worth it in the end.

Get Ready & Prepare To Purge!

Throw on your favorite playlist or podcast and commit to the task. Be sure to have garbage bags and/or cardboard boxes on hand, a sharpie, and some masking tape to organize discarded items. If you have kids at home, be sure they are occupied.

If you have a preschooler as I do, it can be a bit more challenging as they shouldn’t be left to their own devices for long periods of time.

Always be suspicious of quiet toddlers. When you think they are playing quietly, they may come around the corner with their arms covered in marker (washable, thank God!) saying “Mommy, Daddy! Look at my stripes!” True story, this was yesterday’s fiasco. Anyway…I digress.

Step 1. Empty Your Dresser or Closet

Clear off your bed and pull everything out of your dresser or closet, whichever you decide to start with. I usually do the dresser first because there’s a lot less clothing to deal with it and I can usually get through it fairly quickly.

You don’t have to be dainty or delicate about this part of the process, just start with an empty bed and start piling it all up in a heap. Yes, it will look like a mountain but don’t let that phase you.

Things will look worse before they look better, but once you’ve emptied your closet, there’s no turning back. After all, you’ll need the bed back to sleep in when bedtime comes so…there’s that.

Step 2. Designate Your Spots

Designate 4 spots in your work area. KEEP, DONATE (or SELL), TOSS, and MAYBE.

But beware of the maybe pile, don’t let it get too big or you will have to do the whole process over again. Use baskets or totes if you’d like. I usually just use the floor, especially for the donate and toss piles. Stuff I’m keeping just goes to the top of the bed near the headboard and I keep it on the hangars to save time later when returning those clothes to the closet.

Step 3. Purge Away

This is where it gets real. Do your best to make quick decisions about each article of clothing.

Some items will be easy to deal with, while others may call for a little reflection but don’t get hung up on one article of clothing. Start at the top of the pile and dive in (not literally).

Tips On Quick Decision Making

• Grab each article of clothing one piece at a time and make a decision about it.

• If it is something you absolutely love and wear often, easy peasy. It goes in the keep pile.

• If it is worn out, tattered and torn (and you are not ever going to mend) or stained, then toss it. This includes baffed-out socks, and holey bras, Pitch ’em.

• If you haven’t worn it in a year, donate it.

• If you’re really not sure, put it in the maybe pile.

• Make quick decisions during this first run. It will put you in that get-going mode and you will be on a roll in no time flat!

4. Go Through The “Maybe” Pile

OK, now it is crunch time. The “maybe” pile is where you need to be ruthless when it comes to decluttering your clothes.

There may be duplicate items, sentimental items, clothing that no longer suits your lifestyle, or clothes that don’t fit you anymore and are more than one size away from your current size or weight.

The sentimental items or favorite items that are damaged are the toughest to let go of, but remember, be ruthless!

For example, I had this one pair of jeans, absolutely my favorite. You know the ones that fit your butt just right and are soooo comfortable. They had that distressed look with the strategically placed rips here and there.

Well, the thing is, one of the rips had gotten to the point where it was a huge gaping hole over my knee and it just looked plain stupid.

As I looked at them lovingly, I knew that I would never actually mend them (maybe you would so keep them if that’s the case!) and they should be tossed but I was wavering.

So I did the only thing I knew would make me throw them out. I mustered my resolve and ripped that kneehole all the way down to the hem.

And my lovely, most favorite jeans tore in two so easily.

Probably because they were just that perfect buttery soft texture that denim gets when it’s been well-loved and worn often (boo hoo). I did it quickly and didn’t overthink it, like ripping off the proverbial bandaid, made a sad face and moved on.

Ok, it wasn’t that traumatic but hey, I’m trying to prove a point. LOL.

Related Reading: Easy 10-Minute Decluttering Projects To Do Right Now!

Make Your Decluttering Decisions Based On These Things:

Duplicate Items

Do you have 10 pairs of black pants or white tees or 20 pairs of jeans? You do not need that many of one thing.

Pick one or two to keep, the ones that fit you the best, are of better quality or that you wear the most. That’s it. Don’t overthink it.

You know you love these yoga pants and they are the keepers. But how about this other pair? They’re just a little short. Or they’re pelled but they’ll do in a pinch?

Do you ever actually wear them or are they just taking up precious closet space?

Make your choices quickly and start growing that donate pile bigger. Remember, being ruthless is the key!

Clothing That No Longer Suits Your Lifestyle

So you used to work in an office and are now a stay-at-home mom? Used to be a runner but gave it up? Used to be pregnant but aren’t planning on having any more babies?

That sequined mini dress that hasn’t seen the light of day since you were clubbing?

Bye! Time for that stuff to go.

I understand that some dress clothes or business wear carry a higher price tag, so you may consider selling these pieces in an online marketplace rather than donate. But only do this if you are actually going to do it in a timely manner.

The point of decluttering and purging is not to have that box of “stuff to SELL” hanging around your house taking up space and peace of mind. Remember, be ruthless!

Clothes That Don’t Fit

AND are more than one size away.

This used to be a toughie for me but I have gotten a lot better at it. You just have to be ruthless when it comes to decluttering these “maybe they’ll fit me someday” clothes.

If you are currently working on losing some weight and it is something that’s very close to your goal AND you love it, you may decide to keep it. But by close to fitting, I mean very close! This one is tricky if you are on a weight-loss or fitness journey but just try to be realistic.

My rule of thumb is if it’s more than 2 sizes away, it has to go. Regardless of if I tell myself I love it or not. Just think how happy you are going to make someone else by donating it!

And honestly, if it’s been over a year since you’ve worn it because it doesn’t fit, you won’t miss it.

Ask yourself “Would I buy this again?”

If you were out shopping right now, at this moment in time, would you purchase this item again? Yes or No. That’s it. Sounds pretty simple right? It is and it can really help you get through the Maybe pile a lot faster.

Sentimental Items

These can be tricky if you are naturally a sentimental person. I AM one, so I totally get wanting to hang on to sentimental items and I am going to say it is ok to do so. I’m not a monster!

But only, to a point!

If you have a whole bag, dresser or drawer full of stuff like this, you really need to go through it. You can’t keep it all if you really want to declutter.

Make your decisions based on really what is the most sentimental to you. It is most likely attached to a memory or a person, and I have been through this so I get it.

In my case, it was about my family members. I have couple of items from my Dad and my brother, who passed away in the 80’s, that I know I’ll keep forever. But, the stuff from my Mom was a lot harder to go through.

After my Mom passed away in 2013, my sister and I had the heartwrenching task of going through all her stuff and choosing what to keep and what to donate. In that process, we brought at least 10 big garbage bags to goodwill (talk about emotional, but that’s another story…).

Anyway, every year since then, when decluttering my clothes, I have been able to become a little more ruthless about letting go.

I ask myself…did I every actually see mom wearing this? Yes, it’s a nice sweater but it doesn’t necessarily hold sentimental value. And then, am I ever going to wear this? No on both counts? Time to donate.

On the other hand, I have a couple of well-worn t-shirts of hers that I know were her absolute favorites. Those are the keepers.

But, as I said, it’s been a process (the grieving process is different for all of us) and has taken me several years to get to this point. So do this one in your own time and keep what you need to keep. Every year gets a little easier to let go a little more.

5. Clean Your Closet

Choose your favorite commercial cleaning products or make your own natural ones with essential oils. Start top to bottom, dust and wipe down the walls, bars, shelves etc. Lastly, either vacuum or sweep and mop.

You want your newly organized wardrobe to have a clean, fresh-smelling place to live!

6. Put Away Everything In The Closet And Dressers

Put away all your clothes neatly and in an organized manner. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at the amount of extra room you will have in your drawers and closet when this decluttering process is done.

Consider the Konmarie method of folding if it suits you. It’s really great because it allows you to see everything that’s actually in your drawers when you open them instead of digging through and messing things up.

7. Drop Off At Your Local Donation Center

Wherever it is for you, just pack up the car and get it gone.

You don’t want this stuff hanging around your house unless you are going to have a yard sale. And only if you really are going to have one, not just maybe someday.

And You’re Done!

A ruthless decluttering of the clothes in your closet and dresser can be a great project for you when you have some extra time on your hands and need a distraction.

I hope these tips can get you on your way to a more organized wardrobe and a clearer space in your home and your mind. Be well.

Until next time, K.

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