Changing the wardrobe over by season, step by step
Short answer: Wash everything, sort into three piles, pack it away in fabric bags and write on them what is inside. The whole change takes an afternoon and makes the rest of the half year easier. Here are the steps in the order that works best.
Step one: take everything out
Take everything out of the wardrobe and put it on the bed, so you can see it all at once. It sounds heavy to start with, but it is the only way to get an honest overview. Set aside an hour, put on some music, and take drawers and shelves as well, not only the hangers.
Step two: three piles
Sort the clothes into three piles: what you use now, what goes away until the next season, and what you have not used for a year. Be honest as you sort. Garments that never get worn only fill the wardrobe and make it harder to find what you actually like to wear.
The third pile
The third pile is clothes that have stood still for a whole year. Sell them or pass them on, instead of packing them away once more. That frees space in the wardrobe, and someone else can enjoy the garment. If you are unsure, put it aside and look at it again in a week.
Step three: wash everything
Wash everything that is going away, even what looks clean. Invisible traces of sweat and skin oil turn into yellow marks over a season, and they can be hard to remove. Follow the care label in each garment and let it dry all the way through, including the seams. Read more about bamboo clothing for men.
Drying before packing
The clothes must be completely dry before they go into a bag. Moisture that is shut in causes smell and, at worst, mould. Hang them to dry somewhere with good airflow and feel the seams, collars and pockets. If you are unsure, leave them hanging one more day.
Step four: pack in fabric bags
Pack the clothes in fabric bags with a note on each, so you can see what is in every bag. Fold flat and do not fill the bag completely. Fabric lets air move, so moisture can escape. Write the season and type of clothing on the note. Read more about bamboo shorts for women.
Place the bag under the bed
Put the bag under the bed or in a wardrobe that is not cold and damp. It is dark there and the temperature is even, which are good conditions for textiles that must lie for a long time. Avoid attic and cellar, where temperature and damp vary too much. Keep the seasonal items you need soon closest. Read more about bamboo t-shirt dresses.
Bring the new forward
Now the wardrobe is almost empty, and you can hang what you will use in the new season at the front. Put what you wear most at eye level, and what you wear less often higher up or lower down. That makes the wardrobe easy to use every morning, and you quickly find what you look for.
When the change is done
The change is done when the wardrobe is tidy, the contents of the bags are on the notes and the bags are in place. Feel free to write the date on a note in the wardrobe, so you remember when you last did it. Then the next change is easier, because you know what you have and where it is.
Frequently asked questions
When should you change
Change when you have used the same layer three weeks in a row. Then you feel the weather has shifted, and it is a good moment to bring out the new layers and pack the old ones away.
What about the third pile
Sell it or pass it on. It has stood still for a whole year, and clothes you have not used for that long only take up room, so it is better if someone else can enjoy them.
Does everything need washing
Yes, it is the most important part of the whole change. Invisible traces of sweat and skin oil cause yellow marks over a season, so everything must be washed and fully dried before it is packed away.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
