How to Deep Clean and Organize Your Closet
While not as visible, closets are just like every other area of your home in that they attract dust and dirt. Because they are out of sight, it’s easy to overlook the fact that closets need to be dusted and cleaned regularly. In fact, it’s crucial to regularly deep clean your closet to ensure the clothing, shoes, and accessories you don’t often wear aren’t covered in a layer of dust and so that you can always find what you’re looking for.
Continue reading to learn our expert tips for how to clean out your closet and put it back together again.
Prep Work
Before you can deep clean your closet, you’ll need to do a little prep work by gathering your supplies, including:
- Cleaning rags
- Cleaner of your choice
- Empty bags or boxes
- Tape and markers
Once you have all of your items, it’s time to start your closet cleanout.
Schedule a Recurring Time for Your Cleanout
Most people don’t think about cleaning out their closet until it feels overwhelming. If you schedule a specific time to do your cleaning once a month or every other month, your closet is less likely to get out of hand, and it’ll be easier to keep a clean closet on a day-to-day basis.
Block Off Enough Time for Your Deep Clean
Depending on the state of your closet and how many items you have, it could take you anywhere from a few hours to even a full day or two to complete your closet cleanout. So, before you begin, ensure you’ve given yourself enough time to complete all the work.
Empty Your Closet
One of the best ways to deep clean your closet is to initially take everything out. Doing this makes it easier to see everything you have stored in the space and allows you to choose exactly what you want to put back. It also makes it easier to wipe down all shelves, rods, and countertops.
Sort Clothes Into Keep, Give Away, and Toss Piles
Go through your clothes and decide what you’d like to keep or get rid of. If you have clothes that no longer fit or you never wear, give them to a family member or friend who would like them. You can also consider donating the clothes to a local thrift store or charity shop.
Anything stained, ripped, or damaged in some way has no place in your closet moving forward, so don’t be afraid to add these items to your toss pile.
Refine the Keep Pile
Before you put anything back in your closet, take another look through your keep pile. Are you holding on to things for sentimental reasons? Could those items be stored in a less-used closet? If you don’t absolutely love an item, don’t let it back into your closet.
Toss What You Don’t Need
During a closet cleanout, many people find a lot of items to get rid of; however, they often put those items in a box or a bag only to just leave them there. Don’t let this happen to you. If you have a bag full of items you no longer need, get them out of your closet—and house—as soon as possible.
Reorganize Clothes and Put Them Away
Now that you’ve sorted, decluttered, and cleaned your closet, it’s time to put back everything you’re keeping.
Plan the Closet Layout
Now that you have a blank slate, it’s an excellent time to change the layout of your closet. You can organize your items based on how often you wear/use them or choose another organizational method, like grouping clothes by type, color, or season.
Choose Appropriate Storage Containers and Labels for Infrequently Used Items
If you need to store out-of-season or infrequently used items in your closet, put them in clear, plastic storage bins or label them so you can easily find an item if you need it.
Consider a Custom Closet System
If your closet constantly feels cramped, cluttered, and overwhelming, it might be because the current closet system doesn’t work for your needs and lifestyle. Instead, consider getting a custom closet from Inspired Closets. Our professional closet designers can create a custom system with storage and organizational solutions tailored specifically to you, making it easier to keep your closet clean and organized.