The Ultimate Closet Detox with a Cheat Sheet

Hello, Love! Spring getaway is on the cards and it’s time to set aside a week for Spring cleansing –call it spring cleaning. While I am ready with all the recipes for the Juice detox week, there’s another area of my life that needs a detox. Yes, I admit being a procrastinator at times but I am trying to improve. My closet is screaming on my face that it’s time to shed some fat. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to be a “MINIMALIST” but I want to be a “REALIST”. Before I start with my wardrobe detox, I promise myself, to be honest, and brave. I want both to get a perfect result. So, what are we waiting for! Let’s begin with a crazy list to DETOX and DECLUTTER your closet in 6 steps:

1. Detox day

This is the first step to start a detox of your closet. Select a day to declutter your closet. Take out 2-3 hours from your busy schedule and dedicate solely to your clothes. As they say, if you respect your clothes, your clothes will bring respect to you. Do it once a month or once in three months.

I prefer once in three months.

2. Create a mess

Take out every damn thing from your closet for sorting. Once you take out everything from the closet, it will be like a blank canvas to fill color. Wipe your closet with a dry cloth and let it have some fresh air.

3. Sort into piles

This is the most important step in this activity. It requires lots of patience, honesty, and a strong heart. There are various kinds of clothes that reside in your closet. Here is a simple spring cleaning flowchart from Tommy John, a men’s underwear company, that made its name by focussing on quality fabrics. If you’re looking for perfect gift for your man then, check out what Tommy John Labs has to offer.

Segregate your clothes in these piles:

a) Clothes you love to wear and you take it out of the wardrobe every week.b)

b)Clothes that you never wear and you don’t wish to wear in near future as you have developed a dislike. For me, this pile is really huge because I buy clothes when there is a discount and I just want to own it. After a while, I realize it was a waste of money. SHOPPING GUILT!

c)Clothes that don’t suit you. After my pregnancy, my body shape changed and I had to get rid of clothes that don’t suit me anymore. Look for clothes that don’t fit you anymore, either they are too tight or too loose.

d)Clothes for the special occasion. Your expensive dresses that you wear only on a special day. Keep it in a different pile.

e)Clothes that are sentimental. My mother still keeps all sarees that she bought 30 years back as there are memories and emotions attached to it. Luckily, I am not as attached to my clothes as I am attached with my jewelry.

f)Clothes that you just can’t let go. I found that I keep my old t-shirts and jackets from various events from my life and I don’t wear them. I don’t have the courage to toss them as there is an emotion attached to it and they take so much of space in the wardrobe.

g)Clothes that are damaged and stained. Make a pile of clothes that need some stitching or dry-cleaning. Or are simply damaged.

4. Grab two boxes

Get two boxes and tag them- Donate and Trash

Donate Clothes: It has become a ritual for me. I donate my clothes to any organization or to the donation boxes to make sure that they reach the people who need it. It gives me a sense of satisfaction that I can contribute to society in any way. I do this on my birthday that is on 25th December. Trust me it will make you happy. Clothes that don’t suit you anymore and clothes you don’t wear donate them. Give it to someone who needs it. You will feel BLESSED!

Trash: I know this is the toughest thing to do but believe me you will feel better after getting rid of clothes that are damaged and are still there in your closet.Clothes that are damaged and Clothes that you just can’t let go, THROW THEM!

5. Arrange Clothes:

This is the easiest step in the process of wardrobe detox. Keep clothes in the wardrobe in the following manner:

1. Start with one item of clothing and stack them together. Keep all your pants, jeans and trousers together.
2. Color coordination will help you in giving you an idea what is your favorite color and which color you can avoid next time you shop.
3. Place your least used items at the top of the closet and the most used items in the main area of the closet.
4. Use boxes for the pair of socks, underwear, and accessories.
5. Hang or keep air freshener or dryer sheets to keep your wardrobe smelling fresh.

6. Essential Clothes

Yawning holes, stains and misfit underwears are signs of going for essential wear shopping. Do you know experts believe that your essential wear directly affects your health? And most of us wear wrong inners. Also, do you know according to a study conducted by Triumph, most women wear the wrong bra? And we invest in some of the most expensive bras. Make sure to review your essential wears in every 3 months and get your perfect fit, fabric and function inners. The illustration below from Tommy John helps in determining “The Lifecycle of your Essentials”. Check out Tommy John Collection here: http://www.tommyjohn.com/underwear . Sign up and get 15% off with your first order.

I detox my wardrobe once in 3 months and it gives me immense satisfaction. Clutter is something that brings stress as a by-product. Next time, when you open the wardrobe you will experience the freshness and glorious space you just created. It will also detox your mental and physical well-being.

What would be the hardest wardrobe item for you to get rid off? Leave a comment below and let me know.

Disclosure: I received these illustrations to review and include in a blog post. The opinions expressed are my own and are based on my observations.

Enjoy your closet revamp!

Lots of Love

xoxo