Jen Russum

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Spring Cleaning

Anyone who knows me well, knows that I LOVE {like am totally obsessed with} cleaning out closets. I love organized linens, streamlined medicine cabinets, functional pantries, a cleaned out fridge. But there is nothing I love more than an organized clothes closet. While I clean out my closet every month or two, I realize this is a little excessive for most people. However, I definitely think you {or anyone!} should try to clean out your closet at least twice a year… once at the end of summer, and once at the end of winter – the two major climate change times of each year. Since we are now rolling into spring {yay!}, it’s time to clean out the wardrobe and transition from cold to warm weather clothing. I am here to help you do just that!
Purge. First, go through your winter clothes and remove anything you didn’t wear all season. Did that sweater sit there from October to March without even a glace in its direction? You probably don’t need it anymore. Maybe you are sick of the pattern, it’s a little itchy, or it just never fit you correctly. Get rid of it! No need for it to sit in your closet neglected for three more winters. Right at the end of the season is the perfect time to assess your clothing because you will remember clearly what you wore and what you didn’t.
Sell it. I am a big fan of selling gently used clothing for cash. Basically, if you do a good job of cleaning out your closet often, you can sell your clothes while they are still in style and in good shape and make money from them. How great is that? Find a clothing exchange store such as Plato’s Closet or Buffalo Exchange where you can sell your clothes for cash {or trade them for store credit}. There are often other independent exchange stores close to college campuses {just FYI}. Consignment stores are also a good option, although you will have to wait to get your money until the items actually sell. I’ll be back tomorrow with more tips on how to sell your clothes for cash!
Prep for sunshine. Get your closet ready for the warm months ahead. If you have a hard-to-access closet or if you have a small closet and keep out of season clothes in storage, it’s time to transition. Pull tank tops and sundresses to the front of your closet and move sweaters to the back {except for those cardigans needed for restaurants and theaters with arctic AC temps, of course}. Make sure your sandals are laid out in an easy to reach place and put boots up and out of sight, since they take up so much space.
Take inventory. Are you due for a new bikini this season? Do you need a dress for your cousin’s wedding May? Do you need a new pair of Chacos for your backpacking trip this summer? Make a list of what you will need to get through the spring and summer months as soon as possible and add to it when you think of specific items. If you make a list in advance, you will be able to shop around for styles you truly love and look for sales instead of buying that dress for the wedding last minute and paying more than you wanted to spend on dress you don’t even love. I also add to this list when I keep running into an item I want but don’t have. For example, have you put on three different outfits this week and wished you had gold sandals to go with them? If I notice there is an item that would be perfect with lots of my clothes, I put it on my “to buy” list. That way I buy things that actually function well in my wardrobe instead of buying a cute top on sale that goes with nothing that I already own.
That’s it! Clean it out, make sure your warm weather clothes are easy to reach, and start of list of items you want to or need to buy this season. Now get out of your clean closet and go enjoy some sunshine!

Comments

  2. okay, so after reading this … i am totally convinced that you and i would be closet purging BFF's … LOL. I am ALL for organization, ESPECIALLY when it comes to my closet/shoes/accessories. I currently have a laundry basket of things that are ready to be taken to plato's closet … and i still haven't gone through my winter apparel yet. GREAT post, 🙂

  3. this is great. what awesome tips. I just got rid of some winter clothes… the problem I had was Florida didn't really HAVE a winter so I had a ton that didnt get touched but I feared getting rid of them all because next year may be a cold winter haha and I cant afford an all new winter wardrobe!

  6. Thanks for the tips! I know I really need to get better at letting go at the end of a season. I can think of several specific items in my closet that I just don't wear… Hmm. Off to purge!