DeclutteringWe’re two weeks into the 31 Days of Decluttering challenge, and I hope you’re seeing how just a little work everyday can create great results around your home. Yesterday we sorted our handing clothes so today we’ll be decluttering our folded clothing.
Unfortunately, this is where most of my clothing is housed (you know, besides the bedroom floor, which feels totally ridiculous to admit as a 33 year old mother of four. The “best example of how to keep a house clean” award isn’t going to me this year).
My clothes were sorted into drawers by type until my husband put my laundry away. I’m not complaining. I know a lot of women would kill to have a husband who does laundry and is kind enough to put it all away for me too, but finding clothing is sometimes like participating in a scavenger hunt. I am thankful for the help though, and I’m sure my clothes appreciate leaving the laundry room every once in a while.
If you have a ton of drawers stuffed with clothes, don’t feel like you have to do them all today. Choose the amount you think you can get done in 15-30 minutes or just set a timer for however long you have to work, and do your best. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, we’re aiming for progress, not perfection.
Tips for decluttering folded clothes:
- Empty the drawer(s) you’ll be decluttering and wipe clean
- Sort clothing into piles by type (tops, bottoms, socks, whatever categories work for you)
- Get rid of anything that’s stained, torn, and beyond repair (you deserve better than that!)
- Be honest with yourself about what you do and don’t wear. If it regularly gets worn, it can stay. If it’s a piece that hasn’t seen the light of day in months (or years), it’s time to donate it so someone else can put it to good use
- Organize your drawers by type of clothing
How your clothes are put into your drawers is completely up to you. Some people love the Konmari method of folding where each piece is folded into a small rectangle and stored vertically. I have to be honest and say that I’ve never tried it. I love the idea of it (being about to see each item, and my drawers resembling a store), but I guess I just don’t care enough to spend that much time folding and vertically propping up my clothing. Some may argue that it doesn’t take a lot of time, and to that I say, “When can you come over?” 😉
Alright, it’s time to get to work!
Click here to join the Declutterathon facebook group and get support from over 2,200 other declutterathoners!
Heather
atI have been on a mission to de-clutter for the past year it seems! Every time I think I have gotten rid of my last bag, I end up finding more stuff to get rid of. With the holidays coming, we are focusing on the kids’ rooms and their toys/clothes. Great series!
Emily
atThanks, Heather! I’ll be sharing a post about decluttering with kids in just a few days. I wish you lots of luck! If you keep finding stuff it sounds like you’re doing a great job. 🙂
janine
atI have just joined the process of deçluttering at day 14. Am so pleased to start. Pity I missed the first 14. Janine ????
Emily
atI’m so glad you found us, Janine! Feel free to start over at day 1 when we reach the end. I’ll be here to support you even after this month 🙂
Magda E.
atI didn’t even know it was called the konmari method when I started folding my clothes like that, but being a very messy person, I can tell you that it is the best thing I tried so far. So easy to find everything. It might take you just a little longer to do an extra fold on your clothes, but it saves you so much time, wen you have to look for whatever you want to use.
Emily
atThat’s a really great point I hadn’t considered… the folding may take a little longer, but time is saved later on. Hmm… I just may have to try it afterall.
Kate
atFurther to yesterday’s wardrobe declutter, I tackled my chest of drawers in the bedroom today, where I keep my folded tops, jeans, underwear, cosmetics, make-up and the bottom drawer is my “holiday drawer” where I keep all swimming costumes, sarongs, sun lotion, everything for the holiday! (and more, as that drawer was incredibly stuffed!)
I went through each drawer separately, and decluttered my heart out! I now have a completely empty drawer, it was the drawer for my tops, but seeing as I was only keeping two of them which were in there, I have hung them in the wardrobe, now there’s room!
It’s just so nice to see everything in its place and so easy to find everything.
Also no hopping over stuff on the floor – whether that’s washing to be put in the wash bin, or general detritus which shouldn’t be there!
Looking at this 31 Days of Decluttering list, I now have 5 days off! I have already done my shoes and towels, have no junk drawer and no young children to worry about (my step-daughter is 21), so I will be skipping straight to “Day 20: Books” next – which I know is going to be so tough as I really love having books, every though I probably never will read them all again.
My decluttering hasn’t gone unnoticed – my husband really wants to declutter his wardrobe and chest of drawers now – perhaps my bug is contagious!
Emily
atI love that your husband’s joining in now too! That’s great 🙂 I hope you enjoy your 5 days off and are able to tackle those books. I love having books around too so they’re hard for me to part with as well.
Brittani A.
atLove it! You speak my clean language.
Emily
athaha! Thanks, Brittani! 🙂