Decluttering Your Closet –
Start the New Year Organized
Decluttering Your Closet –
Start the New Year Organized
Start the New Year Organized
New Year, new me! The start of the new year is the perfect time to put your New Year’s resolutions into action. Clearing out your closet is the ideal first step.
In this blog post, we'll give you the best tips on how and when to declutter your closet, which methods can help you do so, and what to do with the clothes that are no longer among your favorites.
When and how often should I declutter my closet?
There isn’t ONE specific time that’s best for decluttering your closet. Often, you’ll realize on your own when it’s time again—for example, when your closet feels overcrowded or when you spend a long time looking for outfits in the morning. Generally speaking, though, the start of the year or the change of seasons is a great time to get your closet in order. It also makes sense to set aside time for decluttering on a regular basis. That way, the piles of items you’re sorting out stay manageable, and your closet stays organized—without ending up with a huge “mountain of clothes.”
How do I even get started, and what do I need to prepare?
First things first: Take your time. Depending on the size of your closet, decluttering can easily take several hours. That’s why it’s important—once you’ve overcome your inner resistance—not to just sort things out on the fly.
Make some space
You’ll soon be spreading the entire contents of your closet out on the bed or across the room. Make sure you have enough space.
Get bags and boxes ready
Items you’ve sorted out should be stored properly before you can donate, give away, or sell them.
Set the right mood
Everything goes more smoothly with your favorite music or a feel-good playlist. Maybe you can turn the decluttering into a little event and invite friends to help you out or give you honest advice.
Looks Take pictures
When decluttering, surprising new combinations often emerge. Take pictures of them so you can recreate the looks later. By the way, the photos are also ideal if you want to sell individual items online—that way, you only have to wear them once.
How do I go about cleaning out my barn?
The easiest way is to first completely empty your closet and lay out the contents neatly on your bed or on the floor. If you don’t have enough space for that, you can work your way through the different categories (e.g., pants, shirts/tops, etc.).
Then pick up each item of clothing one by one and consciously decide how you feel about it today. It helps to divide the items into three piles:
Keep
Everything that remains
meets more than just one of these criteria:
• Do I wear it regularly or enjoy wearing it?
• Does it fit me well right now (cut & size)?
• Is it easy to mix and match?
(at least 2–3 outfits)
Uncertain
This is where items go that haven’t yet been clearly sorted:
• Haven’t been worn in a long time,
but basically still fit
• Don’t fit perfectly,
but could be altered
• Sentimental value
(memories, gifts)
• Items for special occasions
(rarely worn, but useful)
Way
Anything that clearly no longer belongs to you
or in your closet:
• No longer fits (too big / too small)
• Has stains, holes, or is heavily worn
• Haven't worn it in over a year
• No longer matches your style
• Always ends up at the very back of the closet
Is your closet empty and its contents divided into three piles? Great! This is the perfect time for a quick cleanup: Wipe down the shelves and clothing rods, and replace the moth repellent or scented sachets.
Now you can put the “Keep” pile back in. You’ve reached your first milestone!
What should I do with parts I'm unsure about?
It's perfectly normal to be unsure about some items. Ask yourself the following questions about each item in this stack:
- Wann habe ich es zuletzt getragen?
<1 Jahr – weg damit >1 Jahr – behalten - When or for what occasion would I wear it again?
No idea—this piece can go.
The right occasion—put it on and then decide. - Would I buy this item again?
Yes – keep it. No – donate it or give it away. - Would I miss it if it got lost or broken?
Yes – keep it. No – donate it or give it away. - Is it comfortable? Does it fit well, or do I have to keep adjusting it when I wear it?
Yes – keep it. No – donate it or give it away.
If you’re still unsure after going through this list of questions, the following methods have proven effective:
Set it aside
Put the items in a separate box and set a time limit (e.g., 3 months). If you miss the item during this period or, when you open the box, can answer “yes” to several of the questions listed above, it can go back into your closet.
Build up the pressure
List the item online or take it to a flea market. If, when considering a potential sale, you realize that giving it away would be painful, keep it.
Wear it intentionally
Wear the item at least once, whether in everyday life or for a special occasion. If you feel comfortable in it, it can go back into your regular wardrobe. Otherwise, you can pass it on with a clear conscience.
What should we do with items we no longer need?
Now everything has been sorted, put away, or set aside. But one question remains: What happens to the clothes in the “get rid of” pile? Especially these days, the answer isn’t always easy, because the secondhand market is very busy, and finding a new home for clothes you’ve decided to part with takes time (and often a lot of patience). Still, we’re convinced that well-preserved clothes deserve a second life.
Your Options
Give away or swap
To friends, family, or at public clothing swap events and platforms like “Tauschen statt Kaufen .”
Sell
At flea markets, in thrift stores, or online—for example, via platforms like Ricardo or the “marko” app .
Donate
Directly to charitable organizations like the Salvation Army or Caritas, or through clothing drives. Important: Clothing should be clean, dry, and in good condition.
Upcycle
Turn a pair of long pants into shorts, or old fabrics into a new favorite piece. Upcycling gives clothing a new life—as seen, for example, with our Upcycling label Cofur.
Dispose of
Items with holes, that are heavily worn, or stained belong in the trash. Alternatively, they can be reused as cleaning rags.
Space for what really fits
Taking a regular look at your own closet often reveals what you already have—and what might be missing. With fewer, but well-chosen pieces, getting dressed becomes easier, and your personal style becomes more defined. We’ll show you how this works in our blog post on the capsule wardrobe. Maybe now is the perfect time to add a few strategic pieces to your wardrobe? 😉
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