With the Coronavirus outbreak, I’m sure most of you are already at home. I’ve been indoors for not even a week, and I’m already getting impatient. What’s also driving me nuts is that my Instagram feed is only filled with news updates of COVID-19. That’s why I have made a list of things to keep me occupied. Indulging myself in different activities keeps me distracted. One of them includes cleaning out my closet, and I successfully ticked this off from my list last evening. Yay me! I know it comes across as super annoying but decluttering your surroundings also declutters your mind. In case you plan to clean your wardrobe anytime soon whilst being self-quarantined, here’s a handy guide.
Empty It All Out
Yup. I mean it. Start by emptying all the items in your cupboard. This wasn’t an easy task for me either, mainly because half my clothes were shoved inside (SMH in embarrassment). However, this step is essential because once you have a clear vision of an empty space, you’ll know how to fill it.
Start Segregating
Once you’ve got everything out of the closet, start separating all the items—clothing, lingerie, jewellery, bags, footwear, outerwear and other accessories like belts, hats, etc. While making a pile for all, simultaneously decide what you plan to keep, donate and discard.
Questions To Ask Yourself While Segregating
While sorting out your items, make sure you ask yourself these questions.
- Do I love it?
- I have worn it only once, will I wear it again?
- Is this is a classic trend that can be sported across all seasons?
- Does it reflect my personality?
- Does it still fit me?
If you have answered yes to all these questions, you can go ahead and keep it fo sho.
Further Segregation Of Clothing
You have a bunch of clothes you wear for different purposes on a regular basis, right? Start separating them accordingly. Here’s how I have segregated my clothes. I have made a common pile of workwear, clothes to go for causal outings, at-home clothes plus sleepwear, denim jeans, other pair of bottoms like pants, shorts, and skirts, gym wear/activewear, jackets. Garments can also be separated according to season and occasions. For instance, I have kept all my knitwear and wedding wear at the back of the closet. Some people also like to segregate their clothes according to the colours. If that’s your jam, go for it. After all, it will be so visually appealing, no?
Time To Stack It All Up
Now that you’re done grouping all your pieces, it’s time to get back to storing them in your closet.
Step 1: Occasional Wear At The Back
Start by keeping all the occasional wear items and seasonal items you don’t need way at the back. If you have baskets, make use of them for these items. In case they’re heavy Indian suits, keep them in plastic pouches so that they don’t go through any wear and tear. However, I always keep my festive outfits in the storage space of my bed or another cupboard as it isn’t needed for everyday use.
Step 2: Daily Wear Items In The Front
Keep the clothes you need on a daily basis at the front of your shelf. Pile them up at your convenience. Keep your lingerie in a basket or a drawer. Make sure you keep your bras one over the other, if in a basket or one after the other in a row if keeping them in a drawer. Avoid folding them.
Step 3: Use Of Hangers
Hangers are such an essential storage element of any wardrobe and are a must-have. Use your hangers to hang long dresses, jackets, and lightweight pants. Don’t hang your denim jeans because they’re heavy and will bend the hangers. If you have pleated tops or skirts, definitely hang them and not fold them as this will cause the pleats to open up, and once that happens, you end up killing the whole look.
Step 4: Use Of Drawers
As mentioned earlier, your lingerie can be kept in your drawer. If you don’t have a large dressing table, keep your jewellery in pouches or boxes and put it in the drawer. Socks, swimwear and other small items also make the cut. Rolling up T-shirts and keeping in drawers is also a great way of using the space of drawers.
Step 5: Managing Your Footwear
I have a separate show drawer and prefer keeping my shoes in cloth bags instead of boxes as that occupies lesser space. You get great deals for shoe pouches online, in case you want to order them. But if you love maintaining boxes, I would suggest label them on the outside so that you know what footwear it is. Again with shoes, keep the festive ones away from your reach and the ones you wear daily on top or in front.
Step 6: Bags And Other Accessories
Sling bags, belts, and hats can be hung on hooks in your wardrobe or even behind your bedroom door. Don’t have hooks? Then use one section of your closet for storing these items.
Step 7: Donate
Donate your clothes to the people who need them but ensure they’re in good condition. Only discard the things that are way too damaged and can’t be given to someone. And voila! You’re done.
But seriously guys, this is a great time to clean out your closet. So get on with it! I hope this was a useful guide to you all. If there’s anything I’ve missed, let me know in the comments below.
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