Ok, I need a pep-talk on cleaning out my closets ...

I am such a pack rat with clothes!!!

And we have very little closet storage space in our apartment. So I am now at a point where I have no choice ... I NEED to purge a whole bunch of stuff!

Most of it is various sizes that I have not worn in a long time ... and stuff that even if I could fit into again, I probably wouldn't end up wearing anyway because its been a few years. For some reason though, I find it nearly impossible to part with things.

It doesn't help that MIL buys me clothes as presents that don't fit me. And never has receipts / gift receipts. And she doesn't shop in the stores that I shop in (where the clothes tend to fit me better). Many of these things I have never even worn!!!

How do you decide what to keep and what to donate?

Re: Ok, I need a pep-talk on cleaning out my closets ...

Well, I keep what fits AND fits well, as well as clothes that I wear ALL the time (like hooded sweatshirts). I get rid of clothing that has stains that won't come out, ripped seams that I KNOW I won't fix, clothes that no matter how much I say I'll fit in when I lose weight, I know it's just not gonna happen and clothes that are too big that I keep for when I'm pregnant but KNOW that when I'm pregnant, I'll buy NEW clothing. I also get rid of shoes that are just done.

Now, you can either donate or try to re-sell. So, here's what I do. It IS an all day affair, but when I'm done, I feel so much better.

I start with drawers. Take a drawer, take everything out. Make two piles. One is donate, the other is try to sell. Put only what you are keeping back. Move to the next drawer and so forth. Remember to fold what you are keeping. Then work on your closet. Take EVERYTHING out and only put back in what you are keeping.

Now, you might have to remind yourself of a few things. 1-The universe will always provide so if you need something, you will have the opportunity to get it. 2-It will better serve someone who can't afford to buy new clothes than sit in your apartment for another year.

What is easy to putting back the things that you know fit and look good. Also, and this sounds silly, but it helps to kind of be in just your bra and panties because it makes tryiing on things a WHOLE lot easier.

Re: Ok, I need a pep-talk on cleaning out my closets ...

I LOVE to purge! Clothes, shoes, papers, you name it. I feel like I can THINK better when there is more space.

What drives me to part with clothes (pretty easily I might add) is that I LOVE to shop and I just don't have room for it all. The way I do it?

1) Haven't worn it in more than a year? it goes. It means I really never was in love with it or it's the wrong size and in a whole year's time, I still don't fit it.

2) Ugly gift? it goes.

3) Had buyer's remorse 10 minutes after I bought it but never took it back? It goes.

4) So many people who would appreciate it more than me? It goes.

I never just throw clothes away. Part of the motivation for purging is knowing that people will be helped by all the clothes I donate to Good Will.

Message edited 11/2/2008 3:45:52 PM.

Re: Ok, I need a pep-talk on cleaning out my closets ...

You ladies are awesome, keep the pep on coming!

I have only thrown out the truly disgusting things.

So far I have a big black trash bag filled with clothes to donate. Hoping to fill up at least 1 more big bag before DH gets home from watching football tonight.

I wish I had the budget to buy a whole new wardrobe of things that fit ... but DH promised a shopping spree for my Chaunkah gift

Re: Ok, I need a pep-talk on cleaning out my closets ...

Toss: anything stained or torn

Donate: anything not worn frequently ( I usually cleean out after every season so I know what I wore or didnt wear)

Anything that doesnt fit- either too small or too big


You have to be ruthless!!!!
And know that by donating you are doing something good,


Most times, I dont even miss any one piece of clothing since I always end up buying more pieces here and there

Re: Ok, I need a pep-talk on cleaning out my closets ...

Also, no emotional reasosns for keeping something!

clothes are not memories!
Donlt hold onto that miniskirt that you wore on your last day of h.s just because it was such a great day kwim?

Re: Ok, I need a pep-talk on cleaning out my closets ...

I am in the process of doing this as well... I agree with the adivce the other girls gave you. This whole process stinks though

Where do you donate your clothes to? Do you bring them to a local church or Salvation Army or just throw them in the clothing bins around your town? I always wonder when I throw the clothes in the bin, where they go and if they go to people who need them, KWIM?

Re: Ok, I need a pep-talk on cleaning out my closets ...

Re: Ok, I need a pep-talk on cleaning out my closets ...

Posted by PreshusSmurf



I wish I had the budget to buy a whole new wardrobe of things that fit ... but DH promised a shopping spree for my Chaunkah gift

Re: Ok, I need a pep-talk on cleaning out my closets ...

Re: Ok, I need a pep-talk on cleaning out my closets ...

There are donation bins by the restaurants on Old Country Road, we have donated things there in the past.

Re: Ok, I need a pep-talk on cleaning out my closets ...

I read a really good hint online about a month before we moved out-of-state, and it REALLY helped me to get through all those clothes in a relatively short amount of time.

For each piece of clothing you pick up, ask yourself:

1. Does it fit?
2. Do I LOVE the way it looks on me?

And if those two don't help you, give yourself a 5 second limit on each piece of clothing. If you find yourself hesitating for longer than that, it's time to get rid of it.

Re: Ok, I need a pep-talk on cleaning out my closets ...

Ill come and help you. Im the queen of purge...when I get in the mood. I just got rid of 2 huge black bags full of clothes and shoes!!

Re: Ok, I need a pep-talk on cleaning out my closets ...

I have to do this too, especially if we are moving soon...I can't take all these things that I haven't worn in years back North!

Thanks for all the great posts!

Re: Ok, I need a pep-talk on cleaning out my closets ...

I did this a few weeks ago and it was much needed! I literally tried on EVERYTHING that there was any doubt about. I had a trash bag for throw away (old underwear/socks/things with holes/stains), a bag for donating (mostly things that didn't fit, were out of style, but were just from regular stores), and a small pile of try to sell (a few BCBG dresses worn once or twice, some shoes that I NEVER wore that are still in style). If something didn't look good I got rid of it, even if I liked it....

I totally agree with doing it in your underwear....haha....I just kept pulling clothes on and off and made huge piles on the bed of things to go back in drawers/closets.

Good luck! You can do it!!