MAKE IT CUTE

It's officially springtime, and you know what that means—blooming flowers, warm weather and spring cleaning, of course. Unless you're Monica Geller, there are few people who get excited to clean out their closet. If you're dreading your spring closet cleanout, check out the following tips and tricks to make the process as efficient and stress-free as possible.

1. Get in the zone

While cleaning might not be your favorite way to spend an afternoon, finding ways to put yourself in the spring cleaning spirit will help make the process more bearable. Whether you blast upbeat tunes, binge watch Marie Kondo, or turn on a diffuser, do what will help you get in the zone, because you just might enjoy cleaning out your closet more.

2. Remove everything from your closet

Yes, we mean everything. The easiest way to begin cleaning your closet is to take everything out of it—from clothes to books to boxes of old school work. Go thorugh all of your non-clothing items and determine what you should continue to store in your closet, and what you should move elsewhere. By moving everything from your closet into a common space, you'll be able to decide what to keep, and what to get rid of, more easily.

3. Separate clothes into 3 piles

Now that all of your clothes are out of your closet, you can start the fun part: sorting. Separate all of your clothes into piles labeled "yes," "no" and "maybe." After you've sorted all of your clothes, put the clothes in the "yes" category back in your closet. Put all of the items labeled "no," including anything stained, ripped or unworn, into a pile to be purged from your closet. Go through the clothes in the "maybe" category one last time, and pack them away for six months. If, after six months, you haven't missed or needed to wear any of the items you packed away, you can purge them from your closet for good.

4. Pack away seasonal items

To make sure your closet has room for new spring items, pack away all items you *know* you won't need to wear this spring. From flannel pajamas to cozy onesies, store your fave winter gear outside of your closet to help your space feel less cluttered. 

5. Purge unwanted items

You know what they say—one person's trash is another person's treasure. If you are ready to let go of some items in your closet, consider donating or consigning them to make room for pieces you already have. Rehoming your pre-loved pieces ensures that your pieces will get a second life, and hey, it's good for the environment, too. If you want to make some quick and easy cash for your pieces, you can consign your pieces at second-hand shops in your community. You can also consign online with websites like Poshmark and Depop. If you would prefer to donate your items, try local organizations, like public schools and homeless shelters.

Do you have any tips for cleaning out your closet? Let us know by tagging us on social media @girlslifemag.

by Claire Hutto | 4/24/2021