Decluttering clothes: Simple tips that actually work

If your wardrobe’s full of clothes you never wear, or you’re hanging onto items just in case, then it’s time for a closet declutter. Decluttering clothes isn’t just about tidying your closet up, it’s about creating a closet that makes getting ready easier, and more enjoyable.

A well curated closet can save you time, reduce decision fatigue, and help you feel confident in what you wear. It also ensures that your wardrobe truly reflects your current lifestyle, whether that’s juggling school runs, working from home, or staying active.

Plus, a clothes declutter makes laundry much more manageable, leaving you with less stress, and more space to breathe.

This post shares some simple, easy-to-follow clothing decluttering tips that actually work, from deciding what to keep, what to let go of, and even how to maintain a clutter free closet for the long term.

Whether you’re looking to refresh your closet, or finally say goodbye to clothes that no longer serve you, these decluttering tips will help you simplify your closet once and for all.

Let’s start.

Download your FREE declutter checklist with 100+ items to declutter here

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Why a closet declutter matters

Here are some benefits for doing a clothes declutter, that may provide the motivation you need to finally get started.

• Getting dressed becomes easier
• You have fewer decisions to make in the morning
• Your wardrobe will reflect your current stage of life
• Laundry becomes easier to manage
• You’ll feel more confident and put together

How to declutter your clothes

If you’re ready to start decluttering your clothes, here are some tips on how to get the job done.

Start small

To make this decluttering job easier, don’t declutter all of your clothes at once.

One of my favourite ways to start decluttering is to start small, starting with a small drawer, shelf, or decluttering one category of clothing at a time, for example jeans or jumpers.

READ MORE: How to declutter fast: 15 easy tips for busy mums

Declutter by category

If you want to declutter your clothing by category, here are some categories you can start with:

• Tops
• Bottoms
• Dresses
• Activewear
• Pyjamas
• Coats and jackets

Decluttering clothes by category makes a clothing declutter less overwhelming, and can even help you to find duplicate pieces of clothing you didn’t even know you had.

Ask the right questions

When deciding what clothes to keep, instead of asking will I ever wear this? Ask yourself:

• Would I buy this again today?
• Do I feel good when I wear this?
• Does this suit my current lifestyle?
• Is this comfortable?

If you can’t answer a definite yes to any of these questions, then the answer is probably a no, so declutter the item.

RELATED: How to get into a decluttering mindset

Focus on how an item makes you feel

When deciding which of my clothes to donate I think about how they feel. If something makes me feel uncomfortable, or I don’t feel good in it then I donate it.

Consider letting go of any clothing that:

• Digs in, itches, or needs constant readjusting
• Makes you feel self-conscious or frumpy
• Only works with certain types of underwear or shoes

Consider your current life stage

When doing a closet declutter, keep in mind that your clothing should support your current life stage.

For example, if you’re working from home, managing school runs or errands, or lead an active life, then clothing that requires specialist cleaning, constant ironing, or careful washing may not be suitable for you.

Another thing to consider is the amount of time it’s been since you’ve worn an item, if you haven’t worn something in 12 months, then chances are you won’t.

Declutter duplicates

Declutter any duplicate items that you no longer love.

For example, if you have multiple black tops, similar looking jumpers, multiple pairs of jeans, or items that are similar in anyway, keep the ones you wear the most and declutter the rest.

Don’t overthink sentimental clothing

You don’t need to keep sentimental pieces of clothing you don’t wear anymore, which could include items such as:

• Old concert tees
• Clothes from a previous life stage
• Special occasion outfits
• Expensive but unworn items
• Gifted items

To keep this type of clothing clutter to a minimum, consider storing the most meaningful pieces, and donating the rest.

Things to declutter from your closet

Here’s a decluttering checklist with some items of clothing you may consider decluttering when you do a closet clear out.

Underwear & socks

• Socks with holes, missing pairs, or stretched elastic
• Underwear that’s uncomfortable
• Bras that don’t fit
• Shapewear you never wear
• Worn out pyjamas

Shoes

• Shoes that hurt your feet, or that you can’t walk in
• Damaged or worn out shoes
• Shoes you’ve never worn
• Seasonal shoes you didn’t wear last season
• Duplicates you don’t reach for

Outerwear

• Coats and jackets you don’t wear
• Items that no longer suit your climate
• Duplicates of similar styles
• Outerwear that no longer fits

Accessories

• Scarves, belts, or hats you never wear
• Broken jewellery or items missing pieces
• Bags that are impractical
• Sunglasses that are scratched or outdated
• Accessories that don’t match anything you own

Activewear & loungewear

• Activewear that’s uncomfortable or see through
• Items you never exercise in
• Old, stretched out leggings or tops
• Loungewear you don’t feel good wearing

Sentimental clothing

• Clothes kept only for memories
• Old uniforms or event clothing
• Items from previous life chapters you’ve outgrown

Just in case items

• Clothes saved for unlikely events
• Backups you don’t need
• Items you wouldn’t buy again today

How to keep your closet clutter free

Once you’ve done a clothes declutter, here are some ways to keep your closet clutter free.

Practice the “One In, One Out” rule

Each time you buy something new let go of one similar item, this goes a long way towards stopping clothing clutter from creeping back into your closet.

Do seasonal mini declutters

This is one of my favourite ways to declutter clothes, which is decluttering clothes every season, instead of when my closet feels out of control.

Think before purchasing

Before buying something new, ask yourself:

• Do I already own something similar?
• Will this work with the clothes I already have?
• Will I realistically wear this in the next few weeks?

Asking yourself these questions can help prevent impulse buys that can quickly become clutter.

Keep a donation bag on hand

This is another clothing decluttering tip that I love and practice, which is having a donation bag or donation box in my bedroom, that I put items of clothing in that I no longer want. Once it’s full, I donate it.

Store special items separately

Occasional wear, sentimental clothing, or out of season clothing doesn’t need to take up space in your closet.

Storing these items away, in storage solutions like vacuum packed storage bags, under bed storage, or clothing storage containers, means your closet only holds what you actually wear, keeping closet clutter to a minimum.

RELATED: 5 smart ways to organise clothes effortlessly

What to do with decluttered clothing items

Here are the options for clothing items you want to declutter:

• Keep
• Donate / Sell
• Recycle / Throw out

Only donate or sell items that are in wearable condition, and if you decide to sell an item, make sure you list it at the time you declutter it, otherwise it may be sitting around your home for a long time, defeating the purpose of decluttering it in the first place.

When I sell decluttered items, I list them straight away, and if they don’t sell within a week, I remove the listings and donate them, so they don’t clutter up my home again.

Decluttering clothes – a recap

Decluttering clothes isn’t about creating a perfect closet, or getting rid of everything you own. It’s about making everyday life easier, and ensuring your clothes support your current stage of life.

When you have clothing that fits well, feels comfortable, and suits your lifestyle, getting dressed becomes simpler. You spend less time rummaging, less time feeling frustrated, and more time feeling confident and put together.

You don’t have to declutter your clothes all at once. Start small, work through one category at a time, and trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel good, or no longer suits your lifestyle, it’s okay to let it go.

Additionally, practising seasonal mini declutters, being mindful about what you bring into your home, and having simple storage solutions in place, you can keep clothing clutter to a minimum.

In case you missed it, here’s your free printable declutter checklist that has all the items listed in this post.

What’s one item of clothing you can declutter today?

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