6 Clothing Items Organizers Say to Declutter Immediately
Your closet is about to feel much more spacious.
Decluttering the closet or dresser is something most of us should be doing regularly, but it can be hard to know where to start. That's why we tapped the pros for ideas on the clothing items to declutter now. Getting rid of items like that stretched-out sweater you never wear or an old bridesmaid dress you don't have any use for can clear up space in your closet so you have room for the items you truly love. And if you're feeling guilty about tossing textiles in the trash, we've also got ideas for how to donate, sell, or upcycle the items you don't wear anymore.
Here's how to declutter your wardrobe and make room for fresh finds, according to the experts.
Clothes That Don't Fit or You Don't Wear
Simply put, if you don't wear it, remove it from your closet. Find a new home for clothing that is "itchy, uncomfortable or evokes a negative memory," says professional organizer Bohne Leah, founder of the Be Organized Method.
For clothes that fall into a middle category, reflect on which pieces you no longer feel happy wearing versus which pieces may be worth keeping if they come back in style. "I believe it’s important to maintain a wardrobe filled with pieces that you love," says the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab Associate Director Emma Seymour.
If you have items that you want to keep but they don't fit well, consider getting them tailored, suggests Seymour. For less than the price of buying something new, you can renew something you already have and love.
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Damaged Clothes
After years of hanging onto questionable socks and faded t-shirts, I've finally learned to toss white tees and undershirts that have underarm stains and any item that has a hole in it that can't be fixed.
Getting rid of clothes that "have holes, stains, or are simply past their prime" will help you "free up valuable closet space," explains Leah. Damaged items are no longer useful, explains
interior designer and professional organizer Jeffrey Phillip. Instead, it's more useful to recycle these unwearable items and have more room to store items you actually wear.
If you are unsure if an item in your closet is truly irreparable, ask a tailor.
Clothes You Wear Once
You probably have more than one item in your closet that you bought for a singular, special occasion. Whether it's a bridesmaid dress, Halloween costume, prom outfit or tutu from a dance recital, these items are easy to locate and are at the top of the list of clothes you should get rid of. While a bridesmaid dress may be able to be repurposed for a future formal event, donating old costumes is an easy way to clear up space in your closet. Trust me, my mom and I gave away over a decade's worth of dance costumes, and it made our storage space a whole lot roomier.
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Repeating Items
I once bought the same v-neck t-shirt in four different colors because I initially liked how it fit. Over the years, I wore these tees less and less and only kept one of the more neutral colors. "If we discover too many similar items, I recommend clients keep their favorites and say goodbye to the rest," says Leah. This mindset may even help you while shopping for new items. I try to keep stock of how many pieces I have for a certain category to help decide whether I should splurge on a new midi dress or turtleneck sweater.
Sentimental Clothing
Deciding on whether to keep or toss sentimental pieces can be tough. Home Care & Cleaning Lab Executive Director Carolyn Forté, for example, tends to keep sentimental clothing even if she doesn't wear it, whereas Phillips recommends culling. Leah suggests taking a photo of sentimental items before you store or donate them.
Another option: "If an item is strictly memorable and is never worn, consider moving it to a storage area with your other memorabilia," recommends Phillip. Similarly, Leah keeps a collection of favorite shirts and sweatshirts in a box she doesn't store in the closet. "This compromise allows me to hold onto what I love while keeping my space functional," she says.
Shoes That Are Damaged or Don't Fit Well
Forté points out that while clothes can take up space in your closet, so can shoes. "I would recommend purging shoes that don’t fit well or hurt, are falling apart or damaged beyond repair," says Forté. While you may be able to restyle or repurpose clothing that still fits but you don't wear as often, that is harder to do with shoes.
How best to get rid of clothes
After you determine which clothing items you want to get rid of, there are multiple ways to go about doing so. The main options include donating, selling and recycling. "The method that will be best for you will depend on the quality and age of the items, as well as how much time you have to put into the process," says Phillip.
- Donate: If you have clothes that are still wearable (i.e. no massive stains or holes, working zippers, etc.), Seymour recommends finding a reputable organization to ensure your donation finds its way to a new owner and not a landfill. Charitable organizations like veteran's groups will even pick up your donations and donate profits to fund programs, adds Forté. I typically donate all of my clothes to local thrift stores or sometimes will give pieces to my friends too.
- Sell: Another option is to sell your wearable clothes. Selling clothes lets you bring a few extra dollars, "but it also ensures that the piece ends up with someone who really wants it vs. you don’t truly know what will happen with a donated item," says Seymour. If you are unsure when to resell vs. donate, Leah explains that "high quality or designer pieces that are in excellent condition and have clear resale value" are great contenders. In the past, I have sold items on ThredUp, Depop and Facebook Marketplace.
- Upcycle: Leah recommends upcycling "when clothing is beyond repair, excessively worn, or made from non-durable materials." It can also be an option for items that you want to move out of your closet but maybe not your home. Leah works with her clients to find innovative ways to transform a piece of clothing into something new "In one project, we transformed a client’s old t-shirt collection into a beautiful quilt, giving her a cherished comfy keepsake while keeping memories alive," she says.
- Fabric recycling: This is a great option for unwearable items like old underwear and bras, socks and damaged clothing. "There are programs where you can send items to be recycled and get money back like at Harper Wilde for bras and underwear," explains Seymour. I have personally participated in Harper Wilde's recycling program and found it to be a seamless way to clear out old, dingey bras with wonky wires, stretched-out bands and broken clasps. Similarly, ThredUp recycles unsold items you send in the brand's cleanout bags. Our pros also recommend Smartwool's Second Cut program as a great option for recycling socks.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Elizabeth Berry is the Updates Editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she collaborates across Labs to ensure our shopping guides reflect the most recent testing and product information. She has reported on a variety of organizing and style topics including the best jewelry and makeup organizers as well as the best undershirts, women's loungewear and the best wide leg jeans. Elizabeth often rearranges her clothing storage to improve functionality and donates items that no longer fit to her local Housing Works.
To write this story, she collaborated with experts in the Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab and Home Care & Cleaning Lab, including Associate Director Emma Seymour and Executive Director Carolyn Forté. Elizabeth also interviewed interior designer and professional organizer Jeffrey Phillip and Bohne Leah, founder of the Be Organized Method,
Elizabeth Berry (she/her) is the Updates Editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she optimizes lifestyle content across verticals. Prior to this role, she was an Editorial Assistant for Woman’s Day where she covered everything from gift guides to recipes. She also has experience fact checking commerce articles and holds a B.A. in English and Italian Studies from Connecticut College.
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