Around the Home in 80 Days: Clothing Clutter

Following are the steps in de-cluttering anything you use to contain your clothes: drawers, closet, or storage bins.� The first step I normally recommend is to empty out the space entirely.� Make four piles (or have bins) and as your emptying place each item in the following categories:

Keep

Sell

Donate/Give Away

Throw out

What to Keep:

I have heard all different strategies on how to decide what to keep.� My system is quite simple.� If I would not buy the item TODAY it gets tossed.� Try to not think about how much (or how little) you paid for the item.� It’s time to take the emotions out of the things around you!� Also, do not keep items that no longer fit you.� I clearly remember hanging onto a dream size wardrobe.� What I discovered is when I hit my dream size, the clothes were not as spectacular as I had envisioned.� If you are trying to fit into a certain dream size, tear out a picture of an outfit from a catalog.� When you reach your goal, try the outfit on before you buy it.� This is especially true if you are a woman holding onto clothes that fit you before children…5 + years ago!

What to Sell:

Prior to trying to sell your item(s), it is best to research what is the current market price.� I sell all my items on ebay. Once you have an amount of what similar items have sold for in the recent past, you need to decide if you want to sell it or donate it. One thing to keep in mind when selling your item(s) on ebay is that there are no guaranties your item will sell at the price you would like it to, or will sell at all

What to Donate/Give Away:

Because I have been very blessed by hand-me-downs for my children, I try to pass things right along when at all possible.� Make sure that your good deed is not cluttering up someone else’s closet.� Ask if your items would are needed first.� If you plan on donating your items to a non-profit charity make sure you keep a good record of what was donated and have the charitable organization sign your receipt. For specific instructions, please check out here:� http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p526.pdf

What to Throw Away:�

Throw away overly used and damaged shoes and clothing.

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Now that your closet is completely empty it is time to give it a good cleaning top to bottom.� Before you start loading the closet back with only the items you have in your “Keep” pile, it’s time to evaluate what areas of your closet were the most cluttered.� If it was your shoes, place a shoe shelf to place in the bottom.� Perhaps it was the shelf above the coats that was overwhelmed with stuff.� Measure the area and place bins or baskets and designate each; purses, belts, etc.� Before you run right out to your nearest “mart” store to get bins, baskets, etc. make sure that you don’t already have something in your home that would work just fine.� Try to design a no-fail system for yourself and spouse.�

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Daily Challenge for Days 36-42:

Since this is such a huge undertaking, I am going to suggest you take it at your own pace.� Be realistic with how much time you have, set your timer, and attack your clutter.� If you have 15 minutes, empty out a drawer at a time.� If you have 2 hours challenge yourselves to a small closet, and if you have an afternoon, attack a larger closet.� It is so worth the effort!

Enjoy the journey,

Betsy