The Ultimate Closet Cleanout: Set Your Clothes Free in 7 Steps

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Cluttered shelves, stuffed drawers, and still nothing to wear? It’s time to clean out the closet. 

While tidying up can be overwhelming, breaking the process down into manageable steps helps you cut through the chaos and find the perfect outfit every time.

If you’re ready for the ultimate closet cleanout, use our step-by-step guide to reclaim your space and fall in love with your clothes again.

How to clean out a closet: 7 steps

Don’t put off cleaning your closet for a rainy day—declutter your wardrobe with this step-by-step guide and enjoy the clarity of a complete closet purge.

1. Schedule the right time

While closet cleanouts don’t have to be stressful, we won’t sugarcoat it—they’re still time-consuming. It’s more than discouraging to start cleaning a closet only to realize you don’t have time to finish, leaving clothing in a heap on the floor.

Block out time in your schedule so you can thoughtful sort through clothing, decide what you’re keeping, and pack up donations. It’s time to build your ideal wardrobe, not rush.

2. Know your motivations

Cleaning out clothes is more than tossing out the “bad” and keeping the “good.” A lot can spur a cleanout, and you’ll make better decisions when you consider your intentions and get into the right mindset.

Say you moved to a colder climate—your goal might be to donate a few tank tops and shorts. If you recently had a baby, perhaps you want to sell your maternity clothes. It could also be as simple as cleaning out clutter and making more space for what you love.

3. Consider your personal style 

Some clothing doesn’t suit your evolving vibe forever and ends up gathering dust. Nail down your personal style, and you can clean out your closet with purpose. 

Identify your ideal aesthetic by looking at your go-to clothes and browsing Pinterest boards. If you’re seeing a lot of flowy tops, floral prints, and fringes, you can get rid of edgy jeans and leather to make space for more boho items you’ll wear daily.

4. Arrange clothes into piles

Strip everything out of your closet and pile it onto the floor—this part doesn’t have to be pretty. Choose three to five categories and sort your clothes into specific piles. We recommend:

• Keep: Clothes you love and want to wear. You don’t have to wear them all the time (like seasonal sweaters), but they’re something you regularly use.
• Donate: Gently used pieces in good shape and ready for a second life.
• Repair: Items you would wear if not for a loose button or minor tear. 
• Upcycle: Clothing that’s heavily worn through and unsuitable for donating (but perfect for a craft project or kitchen rag). 
• Think on: Pieces you aren’t sure about. It’s okay to ponder your “maybes” for a week or two before deciding. 

5. Sell your preloved clothes

Your unwanted clothes are just clutter in your closet, but they may be a treasure to someone else. Selling your used clothes online is convenient, eco-friendly, and puts extra spending money in your pocket.

There are dozens of marketplaces, but nothing is easier than using ThredUp. Simply toss your donate pile into a Clean Out Bag and send it to us. We’ll take photos, write descriptions, and manage the listings, and you can watch your earnings go up.

6. Organize your new wardrobe

Gather your keep pile—it’s time to organize your closet. A great setup will prevent future chaos and ensure that all your favorite items are right at hand.

Hang bottoms from rods to keep them visible and wrinkle-free—except for casual jeans, which are perfect in drawers or on shelves. Fold most tops, like chunky sweaters and comfy graphic tees, to save hanger space and reduce sag. It’s also essential to group like items so you know exactly where to look.

If you can spare the cash, invest in the right supplies. Create a spotless closet with organizing bins for socks and underwear, slip-resistant hangers, and shelf dividers.

7. Maintain your clean closet

Commit to regular maintenance and cleaning to ensure your brand-new wardrobe doesn’t get messy again. Don’t worry—it won’t be as hectic as the first time. A small touch-up once a month is perfect.

Keep organization in mind every day, and continue paying attention to what you wear and what you avoid. If you only reach for your slim suede jacket, it might be time to donate that bulky winter coat.

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Tips and tricks for cleaning a closet

While our above guide covers the practical step-by-step process, the following tips help you get the most out of your cleanout and make organization second nature.

Build a capsule wardrobe

A capsule wardrobe is a small collection of essentials you can combine into endless mix-and-match combos. You’ll always have something to wear but are never at risk of overflowing clutter.

Choose a color palette and add 10–33 core garments that go with everything, such as: 

• Jeans
• Cardigans
• White shirts
• Heels 
• White sneakers 

You might not already have everything you want. This is a great excuse to thrift a few essentials, like a pencil skirt or a work blazer, and round out your wardrobe.

Try the one-year rule

Many people commit to the one-year rule to keep their wardrobes tidy. It’s simple: if you haven’t worn something in over a year, it’s a good bet you don’t need it. This doesn’t apply to special occasion clothing, but it’s a solid strategy for everyday items.

Pro tip: Perform an extensive “clothes check” annually on August 17th, National Thrifting Day. You can then donate your unwanted items and thrift new treasures to celebrate.

Make yourself wear “maybes”

When deciding whether or not to keep a piece, incorporate it into your outfits over the course of a couple of weeks. It’s easy for “maybes” to hang around too long, but forcing yourself to wear them helps you determine if they really vibe with you. Once you feel an item’s itchy seams or uncomfortable material, you might remember why you never wore it.

Part with anything that doesn’t fit

Toss items that don’t fit your body. It’s easy to hang onto clothing because it’s high-quality, even if it’s uncomfortably snug or too baggy. You want a closet that you can reach into and wear anything you pull out—this boosts your confidence and opens up far more outfit opportunities.

Think before you buy

Nothing clutters a closet faster than impulse shopping. Make sure you truly want something before you hit “add to cart” to maintain a clean wardrobe.

Look for clothes you love specifically to prevent tossing them later. At ThredUp, you can use filters and set your sizes to zero in on the perfect items. Try our Improved Search function and use natural language like “casual neutral-toned hoodie” to discover something that precisely feels like you.

Simplify your closet cleanout with ThredUp

ThredUp is the perfect way to clean your closet quickly and sustainably. Simply order a Clean Out Bag and fill it with preloved clothes—our team will photograph, list, and ship each piece. There’s no hassle or mess, and nothing ends up in a landfill.

What can you expect to earn? We price each item based on past sales, brand, and quality, and you get a percentage of the selling price. You can receive these earnings as cash, ThredUp credit, or credit for top brands like Vera Bradley and Hollister. 

Refresh your closet and reduce your fashion footprint with ThredUp.

FAQs

How can you be deliberate when cleaning out your closet?

Some closets need a tough-love approach. The best way to clean a closet deliberately is to go with your gut. Do a first pass, choose donation items, and stick with your choices—no ifs or maybes.

Another method is the “one in, one out” method. Remove an old item from your closet whenever you buy a new piece of clothing. It’s ruthless, but it helps you maintain a clean wardrobe.

Where do I start decluttering my closet?

Tidying a closet can be daunting, so if you don’t know where to start, it’s a good idea to first sort your clothes into categories. Take your clothes out and sort them into groups such as:

• Seasonal outfits
• Outerwear
• Special occasion and formal wear
• Daily essentials

This will show you the volume of clothing you have and make it easier to remove a few pieces. 

What’s the rule of 3 for cleaning closets?

The rule of three is a quick way to decide if clothes are worth keeping. Ask yourself these three questions:

• Does it fit?
• Have you worn it recently?
• Does it bring you joy?

If you answer “no” to any of these, it’s probably best to give that piece a second life.

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