Spring Cleaning and Organizing Your Closets

Spring has sprung and it is time again to get your Spring cleaning out of the way, so you'll be ready for summer! For the majority of the country, the temperatures are warming up from the winter's cold and it is also time to switch out the clothes and the rest of the clutter we accumulate over the year. With over-stuffed closets, crammed cabinets, and a lifestyle so busy that we can't keep it all straight - the first step is to set aside a day or a weekend to do this. It's time to get organized and start fresh again. And don't you always feel so Great when it's all said and done. So set aside 24 hours, could be a rainy day, and let's get started.

The key is to be organized as you switch out your closet and then in the fall when you go to bring the winter clothes back, it will be just as easy. By organizing your closet space you are going to feel great once it's all finished. The sense of having all that clutter put in its own place will let you feel more control over the rest of your life.

Once you get started you will set the pattern on how to organize and you will be able to use the same system on every closet or area in the house with great success. The key is to take one step at a time. Have you heard the old riddle? "How do you eat an elephant?"......."One bite at a time!" Well, your closets may look like gigantic elephants right now, but by employing some organizational tools, your closets can be de-cluttered by the end of the day.

Getting started:

First, evaluate your entire home for closet space and any other storage space, keeping an eye out for any unused space, like under the beds, etc. Give each closet a main purpose, for example, bathroom linens, my clothes, kids' clothes, outdoor coats and stick to it. It is much easier to find things in separated closets.

Next thing to do in preparation is make a list of items that you will need from the store. (you can get as creative as you like with colors, etc.) Start of with 30 hangers and 2 1ftx1ft crates (they are perfect for kids' toys, shoes and serve as a catch-all until you've collected all the like items). If you want, to get a tie rack, metal baskets, hooks, hanging racks, shelf paper and plastic containers with lids for storage, for under the bed or stacked in closets that's up to you.

The Five Stacks:

Typically you will want to start out first with an "easy" closet, one that isn't too overstuffed so that you can experiment with your skills. All the items should be separated into these five stacks:

Trash

2 years rule - if you haven't used it in 2 years, toss it out.

Dirty and needs washing.

Things that belong somewhere else.

What ever goes back inside.

With this list, you can get started working your way from the top, down. Take everything out (except hanging clothes, those you will sort according to season and type - shirts, pants, etc.) Then wipe down the shelves. Put all like items in one place until you assign them a place to go. As you are going through the closet, try to stay right there. Organize one closet at a time and switch clothes as need be.

Now begin thinking about how to regroup and store your closet clutter in a new way. Are there things you rarely use, like Christmas decorations, that you can put in a plastic container under the bed? Think about using your supplies. Do you need to add another shelf, or maybe a hanging shelf or shoe rack, or hooks added to the wall. Do it! You may have all your spices and condiments on a shelf in the pantry, but by adding a spice rack to the door or wall, you've freed up a whole shelf. Be creative. If you want, paint the shelves, or use contact paper, it won't take long and it will give you pleasure every time you open the door. Condense items and put them in baskets so the items can be found easily. If something is in the wrong place, now is the time to return those things that have drifted around.

Now you're ready to re-fill the closet. Put trash in garbage bags and things to give away that you haven't used in two years in a separate bag. Put all miscellaneous items away where they belong. Now you are ready to move on to the next area using the same "5 stack method" until all your closets are organized and renovated. Take the trash bags out and the bags to give away. Now sit down and relax and admire your work. You're going to find an uncluttered house much nicer to live in. See you again in the Fall.