Sorting is an essential part of getting your clothing under control and organized. Often, we have way more clothing than necessary. And if we neglect the sorting process, we’re only cheating ourselves out of valuable space. There are two basic categories to think of when it comes to sorting clothing:
Keep- This sounds simple, “If you want the item, then just keep it,” but it’s not that easy. Before an item earns a place in your keep pile, ask yourself a few key questions:
Does it fit? We all have items that we’ve been hanging onto for years, waiting for the day when we will fit back into them. Be honest with yourself, if it hasn’t fit for awhile, let it go. It will only eat up valuable space in your closet and doesn’t give you enough storage for items you actually wear.
Is it in good condition? If the item is stained, ripped or stretched out, it should go (though it is important to keep a few old items for yard work). No one wants to walk around in clothing that’s not in good condition, and your closet certainly could use the extra space. It’s a win, win situation!
How many of the item do I have? If you have 15 white t-shirts that you have acquired over the years, you need to be realistic and figure out how many you really and truly need. If you can cut it down – even by five – you’ll increase your storage space and have fewer items to manage when it comes to organizing.
Donate- This is the feel good opportunity that arises when you choose to share your surplus with those who are in need. Your “extras” or “don’t fits” may be hard for you to part with, but when you think about how those items could be used by others, it can make parting with them easier. Often these donations are tax-deductible, which is another reason to donate your surplus.
Group like items together - When it is time to put everything away, be sure to group like items together. Grouping your like items together will make locating things quick and easy. That means sundresses in one section and skirts in another. Different items can share a shelf, but keep the piles separated by using shelf dividers.
Great Tip for Sorting Set a timer for 10 minutes, and agree to go through each article of clothing on a certain shelf before the timer goes off. This “race against the clock” method will help you make quick decisions about items and move on. The more time you give yourself to think about each item, the longer it will take you to get through the sorting process. Go with your gut and remember, when in doubt throw it out!
