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Closet organization is best done in the fall and spring time.  When the weather is changing you naturally want to switch over your clothes plus it’s the best time to purge and reorganize your closets.  You’ll stress less each morning when your closet is beautifully organized and key items are at your fingertips!

Before you begin switching over your clothes, take a few minutes to decide on what you are going to do with items that no longer fit, you haven’t worn in the past year, clothes kids have outgrown or you have too much of and it’s time to pare down.  If you’re downsizing find out how much closet space you’ll have in your new home.  Whatever your situation, here’s some closet organization tips to consider.

Pick Your Charity or Non-Profit

Before you switch out your clothes for the warmer or colder season, research one to three places you will donate clothes and other items to.  For women’s business clothes donate to Dress for Success.  For baby, maternity and children’s clothes look for women’s shelters in your area or churches.  And there are many other charities in your area that will pick up your items for you.  If you’re going to consign clothes you need to be thinking 6-12 months in advance to get an appointment in a lot of cities.  So plan ahead.  Then get a box and/or bags and label it with the name of the charity.

Schedule Time to Drop-off at Charities and Non-Profits

Next, schedule time in your calendar to drop off the clothing to the charities or non-profits you want to support.  This accomplishes two things –you set a completion date for organizing your closet(s) and getting the charity items out of your home.

Non-profits Always Have a Wish List!

Call organizations you want to support and ask them what kind of items they are looking for.  I always ask them for their “wish list” and keep that on hand for when I come across items they need.  You can do the same and share that list with your friends.  Sheway House is a Vancouver Women’s shelter and some items on their wish list are crockpots, tea kettles, hot plates, baby toys, strollers, maternity clothes and baby clothes size 0-3 years.  And often times, non-profits have their wish lists already posted on their website.  You’d be amazed how many times during the year you’ll come across an item that you know your favorite charity really needs.

Brighten Someone’s Day!

Dropping off good quality clothes and items brings a big smile on the volunteers face!  Oh the happy feel good stories I could share with you.  Like the time I was parking and saw a young lady looking in a dumpster for house items and I happened to have six large pages of clothes.  I asked what she was looking for and she was setting up her very first apartment.  I mentioned that I had some new containers that I wanted to give her several bags of clothes.  She thought she had won the lottery and they were all in her size.  As I shared the story with my client, we were both in tears of joy.

What to Let Go Of

Most people have a number of items in their closet that have not been worn for a long time. For the most part, these items are just taking up valuable space. Anything that no longer fits should be placed on consignment or donated to charity. Additionally, any items that have not been worn for a year or longer should simply be given away.

Go through every piece of clothing in all your closets and ask yourself “Do I love this?”, “Does it fit?”, “Does it look great on me?”, “When was the last time I actually wore this?”

Letting go is so freeing.  And you’ll be able to see what’s in your closet and spend less time getting ready each morning.  Plus, less stuff means, less work maintaining all your stuff!