As a rule, there are three big clean out/organizing dates on the calendar each and every year - fall, New Year’s, and spring. Taking into consideration that each of us hunts and gathers items year round to add to our wardrobes, it makes complete sense to take a seasonal approach to unifying our closet with the way we want to dress for spring and summer.  Taking on that challenge can be a daunting task for people who have a lot of stuff, or who are easily overwhelmed, but with my tips for success, you’ll soon be seeing the light at the end of that cluttered tunnel. Then you can experience the joy that an organized closet and fabulous wardrobe will bring you!

1. Gather materials that will help you with your task. I prefer to sort seasonal things into see-through plastic tote boxes that make it easy to see what’s inside so I don’t necessarily have to label them. If you plan on donating a lot of items, have some cardboard boxes and large heavy-duty garbage bags to sort them into, on hand as well.
   
   
2. Separate winter clothing from spring/summer items. We all have things that can be worn year round, but now is a good time to really look at the items we wore this winter and see if there’s some that haven’t been utilized and move them over to the donation box.  My number one rule is if you haven’t worn it this season, out it goes! Be strong! Keeping items we don’t use or wear is definitely a recipe for an unorganized closet.
   
   
3. Clean and store winter items or freshen them for next season by using drugstore products. With these you simply toss a freshening sheet into the dryer along with the garments. Easy and effective for you, and a lot less than taking it to the dry cleaner. Save the professional cleaners for stained items and other things that you don’t want to tackle yourself. Pack up and store them in the rear of the closet or in another storage area in your home until you need them next year!
   
   
4. Plan the closet space according to the items that you reach for most often.  For example, I have double hang bars in my closet, so on the bottom are jeans, slacks and shorts, and up top are dress shirts, sweaters, and cardigans. It makes it easy for me to find what I’m looking for.
   
   
5. Invest in some organizing items that you may not have like the clear- plastic storage totes, nice wooden hangers, or even those velvet-type hangers that will not allow silky items to slip off of. Not only will your closet look better, but also clothes will retain their shape nicely by using these superior hangers.
   
   
6. Take those winter shoes and boots to the cobbler/shoe repair if needed, clean and polish the rest for next year yourself, and place in storage or towards the back of your closet.
   
   
7. Invest in a good steamer or steam iron if you can.  A good steamer takes only seconds to heat up, and will make short work of any job.  A steam iron with a “shot of steam” feature can also work very well.  Getting dressed is a lot faster if the steamer is right there in the closet, or nearby.  You may actually get more wear from the items you normally pass by because they need some de-wrinkling!
   
   
8. Gather donations and take them to Goodwill so that someone else has the opportunity to love the items that you no longer use, wear or need.

Donating to Goodwill is a great way to energize your wardrobe for spring!  Nothing feels better than supporting the programs that help your community by easily sharing those items that you no longer use or need!  So get to work, and let the sun shine on you and your newly redone closet, and you’ll be ready to take on the season in organized style!