How to Clean Out a Closet

Most of us have at least one closet that we are afraid to enter. The fear usually stems from the fact that the space is full, with a number of items ready to fall upon us with the slightest provocation. In order to remove this type of menace from the home front, it's necessary to clean out that closet and reclaim your space. Here are some ideas on how to do that.

Step 1

Set aside enough time to do the job. A weekend afternoon is often enough to deal with a standard sized closet. By making sure you can work on the task without interruptions, you have a greater chance of waking to a new day with a fully organized closet.

Step 2

Get plenty of boxes and trash bags. Keep in mind a lot of what comes out is not going to go back in. Arrange boxes nearby and use them to set aside items that you want to give to different friends and relatives, or donate to a local charity. Anything that has seen better days goes into the trash bags.

Step 3

Don't dawdle. The trick to cleaning out a closet is not giving yourself a lot of time to think. As each item is removed, decide right then if it is a keeper, should go to Cousin Louella, or needs to be trashed. Once you make a decision, don't second guess it; move on to the next item and keep going.

Step 4

Don't stop. Other than a bathroom break or a moment to get something to drink do not leave your task until it is finished. Far too often, people stop, look around at the mess, get discouraged, and stuff everything back into the closet. If you don't give yourself time to get caught up in the enormity of what you are doing, the chances of getting it all done are much better.

Step 5

Clean up. Once you've decided what goes and what stays, take all the boxes and trash bags out of the room. This will make it easier to organize the remaining items and fit them back into the closet with some semblance of order. As you shut the closet door and look around the room, you'll feel great about accomplishing your task. You'll feel even better the next time you open that closet door and don't feel the need to dodge falling objects.

Tips and Warnings

You must be brutal when it comes to parting with some of your possessions. If an article of clothing has not been worn in two years, you don't need it anymore. Saving your skinny jeans for when you lose weight is pointless; if you do lose the weight, you'll deserve new clothes anyway. Use the same general principle for sports equipment, old appliances, or anything else you've not touched in a long time - get rid of it.

Keep in mind your trash may be someone else's treasure. By freeing those items from the confines of your closet, you make it possible for them to serve some useful purpose once more. You can feel good about that, and possibly use that good feeling to settle any slight twinges of separation anxiety you may be feeling.