A checklist for tidying the wardrobe
Short answer: Tidying the wardrobe goes faster with a fixed order: empty the cupboard, judge by use, try things on, keep what goes forward, and store the rest so you can find it. Here are six steps you can work through in an afternoon.
Step 1: Set aside time and make room
Set aside two to three hours without interruptions, and clear a stretch of floor or a bed for the clothes. Take everything out of the cupboard, both hangers and shelves, and wipe the shelves down. Tidying goes more slowly if you have to stop in the middle, so close the door on the rest of the day. Put out three bags or boxes and label them: keep, give away and repair. A fourth bag for rubbish is also useful for clothes that are completely worn out.
Step 2: Judge by use, not by feeling
Ask yourself when you last wore a piece. If it is more than a year ago, it is rarely something you miss. The exception is clothes for special occasions that you wear a few times but that are hard to replace. Also stick to clothes that fit today. Clothes you hope to fit one day just take up room and make the morning harder. Keep at most one small box of things you truly want to keep for sentimental reasons.
Step 3: Try it on and check the fit
Try on the pieces you are unsure about. Check whether it is comfortable when you sit down and whether it can be worn with the clothes you already have. Look at seams, elastic and fabric, and feel whether anything chafes. Socks and underwear cannot be tried on in the same way, but you can feel from the elastic whether it still grips. For everyday socks, see bamboo socks for men if you need to replace worn pairs.
Step 4: The bed and the drawer count too
Tidying is not only about what hangs. Also look at the sheets in the cupboard, because many people have more sets than they use and none that fit the current mattress. Read about bamboo fitted sheets if you need a sheet with elastic all the way round. Measure your mattress before you buy, so you get the right depth. Put extra bed linen together in one stack, so you can take a clean set without rummaging.
Step 5: Special things to think about
Some things need extra thought. Compression stockings or other aids should not be thrown out in a rush, and talk to your doctor if you are unsure when they should be replaced. See bamboo compression stockings for an overview of the models. Damp or musty clothes should be washed and dried completely before they go back in the cupboard. Do not use strong scent to cover a smell, because it only disappears when the clothes are clean.
Step 6: Store so you can see everything
Hang what you use most at eye level and put what you use rarely at the top or bottom. Sort by type and then by colour, so you can quickly see what you have. Use matching hangers if you can, because that brings calm and saves space. Fold jumpers in stacks that are not too tall, so you do not knock everything over when you take the bottom one. Write a short list of what is missing and wait to buy until the tidy is finished.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I tidy my wardrobe
Twice a year is a good rhythm, for example when the seasons change between summer and winter. Then you can remove what is not used and take the coming season into account.
What do I do with clothes I am unsure about
Put them in a box with a date and keep it for three months. If you have not used anything from it when the time is up, you can pass it on with a clear conscience.
How many pairs of socks and underwear should I keep
Enough for a week plus a few spare for wash days is a good rule of thumb. Discard pairs with slack elastic or thin fabric.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
