Clutter Free and Happy: Cleaning Tips For When It's Cold Outside

While the weather outside may be frightful, the insides of your closets are even worse. How on earth you can find anything in there is a mystery. So what better time could there be than the middle of winter to go on a cleaning binge? After all, you have no place to go, so let the clutter go, let it go, let it go.

Start with the easiest closet first. This will probably be the hall or linen closet. Take everything, and I mean everything, out. Sweep the cobwebs down and vacuum the floor. If you're doing the coat closet, check each garment before you decide to put it back in. Ask yourself when was the last time you wore it? If it's been more than a year, chances are you won't wear it again. Put it in the Goodwill pile if it is in fairly good condition. Someone might really appreciate it. And you can use your donation as a tax deduction. Talk about a bargain. You can do good and make good on this deal.

After sorting all the coats, move on to boots and anything else you keep in the closet. If it's still usable, add it to the Goodwill pile. If not, set a large garbage can nearby and see if you can sink it. Only put things you will really use back in the closet. If you are unsure about discarding any items, place them in a box and write the date on the box. Then store it away. If it's still there next year, get rid of it.

Congratulations! You've taken your first step. Now on Dasher, on .... Okay, I'll stop. Back to the next closet to be de-cluttered. If you're ready to tackle your own personal closet, or yours and his, make sure you have enough time to finish the job. There's nothing worse than being half way through a job at bedtime. Especially if the bed is covered with all your clothes, purses, and other stuff. It tends to get shoved right back into the closet. So start on this one when you know you'll have enough time to finish. And if it's a big closet, it might take a while.

If you're ready, then let's get started. Again, take everything out. That way you have to deal with it. Sweep the walls and floors. If you need more shelving, now's a great time to add a shelf or two.

It's time to start returning stuff to the closet. Go through the stuff you wear a lot and go ahead and put it back where it goes. Of course, dresses go together on the tallest rack. Put all skirts together, and pants together. Yours only, his goes on his side. He does get a side, doesn't he? You should be able to go through this first run pretty fast.

Next, move on to the items you know you wear occasionally. Put them in where they go. This group should go pretty fast also.

The last group is the hardest one to deal with. It's the "maybe I'll be able to wear it again someday" or the "when I lose a few pounds" group. This is when you have to be honest with yourself. Ask how long it's been since you've been able to wear it. If it's two or three sizes smaller, get rid of it, for heaven's sake. It will only make you feel worse every time you open the closet door and see it. Add it to that growing Goodwill stack and feel good about it.

When you're finished with that monumental task, take a breather. You deserve it. You might even have to let the kids' closets go until next week or even until the next snow storm. But I bet once you get in the mood, you'll become a de-clutter machine. Just think how happy you will be every time you open the closet door. And you can actually find something to wear in your nice, clutter-free closet.