5 Top Tips to Clean and Organize Your Closet for Summer

The summer season is almost here, which means it’s time to store your winter wardrobe and prepare your closet for the sunny days ahead. Are you ready to organize and declutter your closet once and for all? Ohio Valley Goodwill is here to help with five simple tips to prepare your closet for summertime.

Divide clothing by season

Instead of trying to tackle your entire closet all at once, start by dividing your clothing by season and work on smaller piles one at a time. This way, you can organize your closet’s inventory without feeling overwhelmed.

Examine items one by one

Once you’ve divided your clothing into four separate piles, take time to examine each item and decide whether to keep, donate, or toss it. This process can be difficult, especially if you find yourself holding onto clothing that you no longer wear. As you sort through each item of clothing, ask yourself some of these questions:

• ” How often do I wear this?”
• ” Do I love this item or just love the memory of wearing it?”
• ” Does this truly fit?”
• ” Is it flattering?”
• ” Does it match my current style?”

Letting go of clothing can be challenging, but remember that your ultimate goal is to simplify your closet. Your unwanted or unused clothing can be donated to Goodwill, where it will go on to make a difference in your local community. Designate a ” donate” bin or box in your room to collect items to donate to Goodwill after you’re finished.

Store winter clothes

Once you’ve sorted through your favorite winter clothes and identified the items you want to keep, you’ll need to store them properly. You can use plastic bins, cardboard boxes, or even suitcases to store your coats, sweaters, and other winter clothing. Be sure that any clothing you store is clean and free of stains or dirt, which can lead to permanent damage if left sitting for too long. Hangers can cause sweaters or other knit items to stretch out, so be sure to fold them instead of hanging in your closet to help them retain their shape in storage.  

Upgrade your hangers

Using the right hangers protect the quality of your clothes and maximize your closet storage space. For example, tiered hangers allow you to hang multiple skirts or slacks in a cascading manner and take advantage of the vertical space in your closet. You can also attach shower rings to a hanger for a simple and effective way to organize tank tops or sleeveless shirts.

Donate gently used items to Goodwill!

After you’ve identified items that you no longer use or need, including clothing, shoes, and accessories, say goodbye and donate them to your local Goodwill! Instead of taking up extra room in your closet or sitting in local landfills, your donated clothing will support Ohio Valley Goodwill’s mission to provide life-changing programs and services for individuals in the Cincinnati community. Donate to Goodwill and make room in your closet for your summer wardrobe!

Make a donation at one of our stores or donation sites and help Goodwill build a brighter future! To learn more about donating to Ohio Valley Goodwill and our mission, visit our donation page.