Written by Marybeth Welty and Milena Morales of Sustainable Lifestyle Solutions as part of our Organizers Blogging Collab.
It's time for coats, boots, jackets, hats, and gloves! Fall/winter season has arrived and you no longer need those thin clothes in your closet that make any drawer look light, and the ones that you’d take on a tropical vacation. This time of "comfort" in your closet is over, and now comes the great task of reorganizing it, which isn’t difficult if you do it in a tidy way and always with a positive attitude 😊.
The first thing you should do is to take out all your cold season clothes and do some purging. Donate the clothes that you haven’t worn in the last year or two, either because you don’t like them anymore or they no longer fit.
Before packing away the summer clothes do the same - ask yourself if you really want to
keep that shirt or those shorts that you’ve held onto for years but have hardly worn. It is time to declutter, so take the time to review what should stay and what needs to go! Doing this will optimize the space and make room for new things. It’s not a difficult task - and at Sustainable Lifestyle Solutions we make it even easier for you with some tips on storing and organizing your clothes.
Store Your Spring/Summer Clothes
Wash your clothes very well. Make sure to keep the clothes completely clean - both the ones you will store and the ones you are going to use. Remember that body oils, sweat, lotions, or even perfumes can damage fabrics and create bad odors.
Repair damage. Keep your clothes in perfect condition. If a button is missing or there is minor damage you can fix, this is time to do it, so you know that everything will be in perfect condition when you use them again.
Fold your clothes and don't iron them. After washing them, fold your clothes without ironing them, since you will not use them soon anyway. Ironing clothes that are being stored away might cause them to turn yellow and stain.
Use cloth bags. Store your clothes in cloth bags (cotton is best). This will protect them from humidity, bad smells, bugs, and dust. TIP: you can make eco-friendly bags yourself using an old sheet or duvet cover.
Compression bags. If you have very little space to store all your summer clothes, the best option is to use vacuum storage bags. You’ll save a lot of space and they’re perfect for using for a few months at a time.
Label the bags. If you don't want to go crazy when you need your swimsuit in January (because you’re taking a trip to the beach to escape the cold!), label each bag or box with their contents. Make sure you also have a master list of the contents of each bag, so you know exactly what each one contains.
Avoid using cardboard boxes. Cardboard contains chemicals and glues and also absorbs moisture, which affects the condition of your clothes.
Organize Your Fall/Winter Closet
Now, with the closet empty, one of the most important things to do is to clean the
space where this season’s clothes will live for the next few months. Winter clothes require more space, so review what you have before shoving it all in there! Here are some tips to help you organize your wardrobe this season:
Keep your clothes clean and dry. Before putting your clothes in the closet, wash them. Remember that they were stored for several months and they won’t have the softness or aroma that you deserve to wear.
Find a connection. Check if you still connect with what you just unpacked, if you still want to use this old comfy jacket this winter or if it doesn't fit anymore. It is necessary to feel fulfilled with the clothes you wear - they’re part of your personality, it's your essence.
Keep your balance. It is important to achieve a balance when organizing the closet, so we recommend that your hangers are all the same in colors and sizes, and that you organize the items by categories in order to create harmony and coordination.
Save space. If you feel like there's not much room for heavy clothes, try hanging them and placing lighter items in organizing boxes, which also add a fabulous touch of design to your closet.
Free space. Try to leave some space for the air to flow and the clothes are not packed tight. This prevents them from being damaged.
Accessories. Make room for add-ons. Organize your accessories in groups such as hats, scarves, or gloves, so that you can quickly find them in the closet every time you need to get dressed.