To help you look your best, you need clothes that maximize your positives and to find them at home you need an organized closet. Perhaps you should sort through the items in your closet and get rid of things you no longer need. A little more space in your closet will help you find your favorite clothing easier, or it may just give you cause to go shopping! Whatever your reason for a secret makeover, here are some tips on how to get your closet in shipshape.



It always helps to begin with some organization. To be successful in cleaning out your wardrobes, it is best to be prepared. The use of labeled bins will allow you to effectively sort your clothes in minimal time. Use three separate bins labeled "keep", "sell" and "donate". If some of your clothes are past their use-by date, add a fourth bin labeled “toss”.

Rapid sorting. When you make a decision to clean your closet, you need to do a rapid initial sort to take some of the bulk out of your closet from the outset. Begin removing items from your closet one at a time and quickly (inside of 5 seconds). Figure out if you want to throw it away, donate it or if it is worth selling. Organizing your clothes is important but these are not the only things in the wardrobe so make sure your shoes and accessories are in order as well. Allot 30 minutes or less to do this.

Sort through the “keep” bin again. Once you have done the initial sorting process, do a second run. Think carefully about how frequently you wear each piece in the bin. Do you think you will use it again or do you want to hold on to it because it was expensive? Keep clothes that you will be sure to wear frequently and toss the rest.

You can reorganize your closet space in order to free up some space and make more room for other items. Since your closet was not organized, it probably got messy. Before you start to replace the clothes from your “keep” bin, think about organizing the available space better. Perhaps you would be interested in considering a closet organizer that includes drawers, shelves and racks. Using them will allow you to store quite a bit more than you possible could using just a rod. A good wardrobe has a lot of racks and shelves to help keep everything tidy.

Properly put your clothes away in an organized fashion. Now you can start to put your clothing away in your closet. If possible, buy a set of sturdy hangers that match. You will appreciate the calming feeling they give your closet, and their sturdiness will last for years. Now, put away and hang the clothing depending on its style (slacks/blouses/dress), and fold clothing that is possible to fold such as wool sweaters and singlet tops. Keep your shoes organized on a rack and purses and bags should be kept in a bin or basket so they remain neat and clean. A fresh, clean, organized closet has a great floor that you can actually see!

Allow a full day to clean and organize your closet. The amount of time this takes will depends upon the size of the closet. Don't forget to donate the other clothes. You might want to ask your friends to come over and buy the clothes you were thinking of selling before you take them to a charity outlet. A good rule of thumb is to put your closet in order every season.