This 5-Step Method Will Help You Declutter Clothes in Under an Hour

A chaotic closet, especially one with little storage, can throw a wrench in your daily routine, making you feel frustrated and overwhelmed or even late for your plans. That’s why going through your clothes regularly to see what should stay or go is so important in maintaining a clutter-free closet. 

Here’s how to do it quickly so you can get dressed faster with less stress.

Let’s dedicate some time to decluttering your clothes using a method I learned from a pro organizer. To make things more manageable, stick to one section of your closet at a time (but if you feel like you can handle your whole wardrobe at once, go for it!). Set a timer for 30 minutes or an hour — whatever time feels the most manageable for you. Once the time has passed, take a break and decide if you need or want to go for another 30-minute or hour session or if you’d like to stop and come back to this another time. 

Here’s how you’ll do it.

1. Start by taking everything out and laying it on your bed or a sheet on the floor.
2. Sort items into piles by categories: This might be different types of tops (tank tops, long-sleeve shirts, etc.) or clothing types (jeans, tops, dresses, etc.), depending on how much stuff you’re working with. 
3. Make decisions on your items quickly by asking yourself the ground rules we set up on day two. Other things to consider: Do you actually like this item? Or, if you have duplicates or similar items, pick out the one you like best.
4. Place items into new piles: What you’ll keep, what needs to be donated or sold, and what should be mended before being placed back in your closet. If you come upon anything that has sentimental value for you and you can’t make a quick decision on it, put this aside. We’ll be dealing with sentimental things another day! 
5. Put the items you are keeping back in your closet in an organized fashion. Place donated and sold items in their respective outboxes and anything that needs fixing into the maybe outbox!

PRO TIP: If you notice your closet organization is lacking, consider implementing new systems and products that’ll work wonders in your space. These hangers, which were a winner in our 2024 Organization Awards, are sleek, multifunctional, and space-saving gems.

What stood out as clear “yes” and “no” items for you in your closet? Tell us in our community forum.

• Sign up for email updates.
• Visit the 2024 Decluttering Cure page and catch up on assignments.
• Download the Decluttering Cure calendar.
• Join the conversation by checking out the Decluttering Cure board in our community forum.
• Check off that you’ve completed this task and track your overall Decluttering Cure progress here!
• See all the winners from our 2024 Organization Awards to get your home organized. 

The Cure Program is a tradition here at Apartment Therapy — it happens every January, April, and September. Click here to learn more about the year-round program and when to sign up.