As temperatures are changing, it’s that time of year again to clean out the closets and refill them with a this season’s clothes. Here are some tips for keeping things fresh and keeping you stylish for another season.

How to store this season’s clothes:

• Do a major closet purge. Get rid of anything that doesn’t fit, won’t fit by next season, is in disrepair, is stained, isn’t in style, doesn’t “suit” you anymore, or doesn’t belong to you. When you think you’re done purging, do it again and be ruthless. The more you get rid of, the less you’ll have to launder, the more storage space you’ll have, and the less stress you’ll have next season. I find that people who have a lot of clothes will always have a lot of clothes because they buy new clothes every season. So before you waste time cleaning & storing some of your trendier pieces, really think hard about whether they’ll be replaced next season by something new you like better. And if you have to ask if something’s in style, it probably isn’t so let it go.
• Launder or dry clean your items before you store them.
• Sort clothes by type (t-shirts, pants, etc.) and do your best to put one type per bin. Space Bags are a big help here to get the most out of each bin. And shoes should definitely be put in their own bin to contain any smells.
• Store clothes in clear plastic bins with airtight locking lids to keep out bugs & moisture.
• If you don’t have the room, as an organizer it’s my responsibility to urge you to eliminate some clothes. Not willing? Ok then, get a sturdy rolling clothes rack (preferably one with a zipping plastic cover) and store in the attic or spare room. Or try Hanging Space Bags to help reduce dust & bugs.
• Instead of stinky moth balls, use cedar sachets or dryer sheets to keep clothes smelling fresh and absorb moisture. For controlling shoe odors, sprinkle some baking soda or cornstarch in them, or spray each one with an odor-eater solution as you add them to the bin.
• Label your bins with 2 bits of info: who the clothes belong to, and what type of clothes they are (t-shirts, casual pants, sweats, etc.)

What to do with last season’s clothes:

• Do another purge. Things you thought you’d still like last season may not look so appealing now, and if you had any weight changes, some of the clothes may no longer fit. If things weren’t properly stored before, check for any insect damage and toss items in disrepair.
• Immediately launder the clothes when you pull them out so they’re ready to wear and keep your closet (and your person) fresh.
• Sort them by type before you put them in your closet or drawers to keep things neat and easy to find when you need them.
• Spray shoes with an odor-eating solution again and they’ll be ready to wear too.

When next season comes around, you’ll be organized, stylish, and smell fresh as a daisy!