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Cleaning Out Your
Closet
If you are frequently greeted with a
tumble-down mess of shoes and handbags every time you open your
closet door, it might be time to consider cleaning out your closet.
In fact, it isn't a bad idea to clean it out twice a year - after
the summer and winter seasons. Dreading the task that lies ahead?
Fear not - here are some simple tips that will make your closet
cleanup a snap.
Before taking any steps to clean out
your closet make sure that your room is tidy and ready for the
project ahead. Label several boxes by destination, for charity,
garbage, storage, garage sale items or "out of place"
items. Set aside an area for orphaned socks, mittens or other
objects waiting to be used again.
Now begins the difficult process
of determining what to keep, what to throw out, and what to donate
to charity. The simplest determining factor is wearability: if you
have an item that is worn so thin you can see through it, throw it
out. If you are having problems deciding what to keep for yourself,
remember the 12-month rule: if you haven't worn it in the past year
you probably won't wear it again. If you're still up in the air
about an old favorite, pack it up in the storage box for six months
or so. Then pull it out and reconsider your needs. Wearable items
that you decide not to keep should be packed for donation to a local
charity. Keep a pen and paper handy to itemize the box's contents,
as they serve as a deduction at tax time.
After sorting through and
determining what clothes to keep for yourself, prepare your closet
to be refilled. If you are working with a small closet and a large
wardrobe, there are a number of items that can aid in your
organization. A shoe rack can eliminate much of the floor clutter as
well as protecting the shape of your shoes. A hanging closet
organizer is a wonderful way to store sweaters and folded pants.
Double-hang racks give you twice the hanging space for shirts and
jackets.
If you're still having trouble
fitting everything into your closet, consider storing out-of-season
clothing on a clothes rack in a storage area or in vacuum-sealed
bags under the bed. It is a good idea to store clothing in air-tight
or cedar containers to minimize the risk of damage from moths.
Through planning and preparation, you
can organize this monumental project into achievable steps.
Happy cleaning!
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