Closets have a special talent for turning into chaos quietly. One day everything feels fine… and then suddenly you’re wrestling hangers, folding piles you never wear, and wondering how you own so many clothes but still “have nothing to wear.”

This guide will help you reset your closet properly—cleaning included—so it looks good, functions better, and stays manageable without constant re-doing. No pressure to become a minimalist overnight. The goal is a closet that feels easy to use.

What you’ll get out of this closet reset

By the end, you’ll have:

Less clutter (without regret)
Clean shelves, rods, and floors
A simple organisation system you can maintain
A clear “keep / donate / repair” routine for future edits

Before you start: grab these supplies (you won’t need much)

Cleaning supplies

Vacuum (with a brush/crevice attachment)
Microfiber cloths
Mild all-purpose cleaner (or warm water + a few drops of dish soap)
Lint roller (optional but brilliant)
Baking soda or charcoal odour absorber (optional)

Decluttering + organising supplies

3–5 bags or boxes (Keep / Donate / Sell / Repair / Rubbish)
Matching hangers (not required, but it makes a huge difference visually)
Storage baskets or clear bins
Labels or a marker
A timer (seriously—this keeps you moving)

Step-by-step: The closet clean + declutter system that works

Step 1: Set a goal (so you don’t spiral)

Pick one:

“I want space to see what I own.”
“I want outfits easier to build.”
“I want a closet that takes 5 minutes to tidy, not 50.”

This stops you from overthinking every item like it’s a personality test.

Step 2: Empty the closet (yes, all of it)

Take everything out—clothes, shoes, bags, random stuff on the floor.

Why it matters: you can’t clean properly around clutter, and you can’t make decisions in a space that still looks “full.”

Place items into broad piles:

Hanging clothes
Folded clothes
Shoes
Accessories
“Why is this even here?”

Step 3: Clean the closet like it actually matters

Now that it’s empty, clean it properly:

1) Vacuum top to bottom

Shelves and corners (dust loves corners)
Closet floor
Baseboards (they catch lint)

2) Wipe shelves, rods, and handles

Use a lightly damp microfiber cloth with mild cleaner.

3) Deal with odours

If your closet smells musty:

Leave a bowl of baking soda overnight, or
Use charcoal odour absorbers, or
Wash any fabric storage bins

Quick internal link idea: If you have a general deep cleaning post, this is a perfect place to link it.
Example anchor text: “If you’re doing a full home reset, follow our deep cleaning checklist as you go.” → /deep-cleaning-checklist

Decluttering clothes (without getting stuck)

Step 4: Use the “5-question filter” for every clothing item

Pick up one piece at a time and ask:

Would I buy this again today?
Does it fit well right now (and feel good)?
Have I worn it in the last 12 months? (Seasonal items get a pass.)
Is it in good condition? (stains, stretched, broken zip)
Does it match how I actually live? (not your “fantasy lifestyle” wardrobe)

If it fails two or more, it’s probably not a “keep.”

Step 5: Sort into 5 piles (simple and decisive)

✅ Keep
🎁 Donate
💰 Sell
🧵 Repair/Alter
🗑️ Rubbish/Recycle

Rule that saves time:
If it’s damaged and you haven’t repaired it in 30 days, it’s not getting repaired. Move it out.

Step 6: Closet-specific rules (so your space doesn’t fill again)

Use whichever rules suit your space:

The hanger rule

Only keep what fits on your hangers with breathing room. If it’s crammed, you’ll stop using it.

The “one in, one out” rule (maintenance mode)

Every time something new enters, one thing leaves. This prevents clutter from creeping back.

The “duplicates check”

Keep your favourites. Multiple identical “fine” items usually become dead weight.

Organise your closet so it stays tidy

Step 7: Build zones inside your closet

A closet that stays clean is one where every category has a home.

Suggested zones:

Everyday tops
Workwear
Jackets/coats
Dresses/formalwear
Gym/activewear
Sleepwear
Shoes
Bags/accessories

Tip: Keep the most-used items at eye level. Put occasion items higher up or to the side.

Step 8: Use a simple folding system (that you’ll actually keep up with)

If your folded stacks collapse constantly:

Fold vertically in drawers (so you can see everything)
Or use bins/baskets on shelves to stop pile slides

Step 9: Organise by colour or by function (choose one)

By function is best if you struggle with outfits.
By colour looks great and makes shopping your closet easier.

You can also combine both:
Function first (tops together), then colour inside the section.

What to do with the clothes you’re removing

Donate

Donate clean, wearable items in good condition. Bag them immediately and put them in your car or by the door—don’t let them “live” in your hallway for weeks.

Sell

Only sell what’s worth the effort (brand, condition, demand). If it’s going to take 10 photos and 20 messages to sell for $10, donating is often the smarter choice.

Recycle

Unwearable clothes can often be recycled through textile programs or repurposed as rags.

Closet cleaning checklist (quick recap)

Declutter

Sort into Keep/Donate/Sell/Repair/Rubbish
Remove duplicates and “fantasy” clothes
Put repairs on a 30-day deadline

Clean

Vacuum shelves/corners/floor
Wipe shelves, rods, handles
Add odour absorber (if needed)

Organise

Create zones
Use bins/baskets for folded items
Keep daily items at eye level
Maintain with one in, one out

Internal links (add these to your site)

Update the URLs to match your website pages:

Deep cleaning checklist: “Doing a full reset? Follow our deep cleaning checklist room-by-room.” → /deep-cleaning-checklist
Bedroom cleaning guide: “Pair this with our bedroom cleaning guide for a complete refresh.” → /bedroom-cleaning-guide
Laundry room cleaning tips: “Wash and refresh storage fabrics using these laundry room cleaning tips.” → /laundry-room-cleaning-tips
End of lease cleaning guide: “Moving out soon? Here’s what to prioritise for inspections.” → /end-of-lease-cleaning-guide
House cleaning services: “Want a professional reset? Explore our house cleaning services.” → /house-cleaning-services

FAQ (SEO-friendly)

How long does it take to declutter a closet?
A small closet can take 1–2 hours. A large wardrobe can take 3–5 hours. The fastest approach is using timed rounds and the 5-question filter.

Should I keep clothes that don’t fit yet?
Keep only a small, realistic selection (your top favourites). If it causes stress or takes too much space, donate it and keep one “goal” outfit at most.

What’s the best way to keep a closet organised long-term?
Zones + visible storage + one in, one out. The simpler the system, the more likely you’ll keep it.

Final tip: make it a seasonal habit

Do a mini closet reset every change of season. Even 20 minutes to remove what you’re not wearing and wipe shelves keeps your closet from slowly turning into a storage room again.

If you share your website URL and the names of the pages you already have, I can tailor the internal links and anchor text to match your exact structure (and avoid linking to pages that don’t exist yet).

The Ultimate Guide to Cleaning Your Closet and Decluttering Clothes