As we’re approaching the end of spring semester and getting closer to returning home for the summer, closet purging season is also coming upon us. It’s time to rearrange, reorganize and say some goodbyes to the clothing of semester’s past. If your closet is a war zone, then there are some easy tips and tricks to remedy the mess!
1. Backwards Hanger Trick
It can often be difficult to let go of those pretty little statement pieces that once made your heart jump, the sparkly mini skirt that you wore for NYE ’15 (which also fell victim to an overflowing champagne flute), the washed out denim jeans that were worn one-too-many times (now hiding in the deep abyss of your closet) and the faded purple cardigan that sits lonely, waiting for you to wear it for the first time since 10th grade. For some reason, it’s so hard to get rid of these items, but it must be done. Next time you’re purging your wardrobe, hang all of the hangers backwards and when you wear a piece of clothing, turn the hanger the right way. After about 4 months, get rid of the clothes that still have backwards hangers.
2. Pool-Noodle Boots
Slouchy boots are the absolute worst. If you’re simply looking to straighten up your closet, buy a few pool noodles and cut them to fit the size of your boots. Stick them in your boots and you’re good to go! No more slouching!
3. Magic Hangers
Magic hangers are literally magical. If your closet never seems large enough to house all of your clothing, magic hangers are a must! These hangers hold 5 pieces of clothing at once and free up tons of space in your closet, which also means more clothes!
4. Roll it up
This tip is going to save your drawers from overflowing, as well as allowing you to see everything that’s in your drawer. Instead of folding and pancaking your clothes into piles, expose everything by tightly rolling your clothing. This trick allows you to store so many more articles of clothing in one drawer at once.
5. The Joy Rule
If you’re just looking to clean out your closet and to skip the 4 month wait of the hanger trick, you need the joy rule. When purging a closet, most people will look at an article of clothing and think, “Maybe I’ll wear this again,” or, “I’ll keep this shirt that I haven’t worn in 3 years just in case the right event calls it.” The tough truth is, you are never going to wear that shirt; the joy rule helps in this situation. If you hold up a piece of clothing and it brings you no joy or any excited feeling similar to when you first purchased it, let it go!
6. Hanging Shoe Compartments
Hanging shoe holders are good for more than simply holding shoes; these can actually be better for storing smaller items that may float around your closet like lingerie or jewelry!
7. Color Coordinate
This may seem so over-the-top, but color-coding makes everything in your closet so much easier to retrieve at a moment’s notice! Remember ROY-G-BIV? Now, finding your sparkly indigo sweater is 10 times easier because it’s right next to your violet spaghetti strap tank top, duh. May your closet no longer be a jumbled mess of colors!
8. Car Fresheners Trick
This final tip is for when your closet has been completely purged and cleaned out. There is nothing worse than a musty smelling closet, so an easy fix is to take a few car fresheners and hang them in your closet among your clothes. Bam! Next time you open your closet door, you’ll be hit with a sweet Bahaman breeze!