A monthly check of the wardrobe
Short answer: A monthly wardrobe check takes about ten minutes and catches lint, loose seams and clothes you have not worn since last time. Small problems are easy to fix when found early, and it keeps clothes in use for longer without costing anything.
Why once a month
A month is short enough that small things do not grow into big ones, and long enough that there is actually something to find. A fixed check makes the wardrobe a habit rather than a project, so you avoid the big clear-outs where everything has to be decided at once.
Keeping the check short
Go through it garment by garment while you stand at the wardrobe, and set a timer for ten minutes. Put everything that needs mending in one pile and everything that needs washing in another. When the timer rings, stop, and deal with the piles when you have time.
The lint
Remove lint from knitted pieces with a lint remover or a fabric brush. It takes about two minutes per garment and makes it look tidier again. Lint forms where fabric rubs against fabric, such as under the arms and along the sides, so start there. See bamboo sweatshirt for men for an easy everyday piece.
The seams
Look for seams that have started to open at the crotch, under the sleeves and at the neckline. One centimetre takes two minutes to sew, while ten centimetres takes half an hour and often means the garment sits unused meanwhile. Catch it early, and a single stitch in matching thread is usually enough.
The unworn
Move whatever you have not worn in a month to the front of the wardrobe, so you see it when you get dressed. Often you simply forget what you own. See bamboo jogging suit for men and bamboo t-shirt for women for clothes that are easy to reach for.
Buttons and elastic
Check that the elastic in the waist is still secure and has not started to roll, and that buttons and drawstrings sit as they should. These are small things that are rarely worth a repair shop, but they make a garment annoying to wear, and then it stops being used.
Stains that need attention
Look for stains that were missed in the wash. A stain that sits for weeks is harder to remove than a fresh one, so include them in the check. Wash according to the care label, and let the garment dry completely before you judge whether the stain is still visible.
A fixed time
Choose the same day every month, for example the first Sunday, and put it in the calendar like any other appointment. When the time is fixed, you do not have to decide each time whether now is the moment, and it gets done more often than it gets postponed.
Keep it simple
The check is not a clear-out, and you do not have to throw anything away. The aim is to catch small things while they are small and to spot what you have forgotten. If a month shows that everything is fine, the check has done its job in a few minutes.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the check take?
Ten to fifteen minutes for an ordinary wardrobe. If you own a lot, split it up and take one section at a time, so it never becomes a big task that you dread.
When is the best time to do it?
The same day every month, for example the first, so it becomes a habit. Pick a day when you are at home anyway and have time to look at your clothes in daylight.
What if something is not used for three months?
Then move it out of the wardrobe to a place where you can see it, and notice whether you miss it. If not, it can be passed on or sold, but that is your choice.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
