10 Things to Declutter from Your Closet Before Spring Arrives
Get your wardrobe ready for the warm weather!
For the past few months, bulky winter coats, thick cashmere sweaters, fleece-lined pants, and chunky snow boots have likely taken over your bedroom closet. But with spring on the horizon, the time has come to start thinking about swapping out heavy winter clothes for lighter spring attire like trench coats, cotton cardigans, floral dresses, and woven sandals. Before you tuck your winter gear away for the season, however, you’ll first need to declutter your closet.
It might seem like an unnecessary step in your pre-spring cleaning journey, but sorting your space in the final weeks of winter will make your wardrobe transition a whole lot easier when the warm weather finally comes to stay. Not only is the decluttering process necessary, but it’s also pretty straightforward! As you rummage through the hangers, shelves, and hidden corners of your closet, sort out the winter clothes that you want to keep, mend, toss, and donate.
For any clothing item that you love and regularly wear, simply slot it back in its spot, where it'll sit until you fully switch out your closet. If any of those pieces need a little mending, though, set them aside to get tailored. Now, for the garments you barely reach for—whether you’ve outgrown the style or the fit—it’s time to part ways with them. For the items that are largely still intact, toss them in the donations pile. And those with irreparable stains, rips, or tears may need to go straight into the garbage bin.
Still wondering which items to sort? As a general rule of thumb, anything that’s unworn, worn-out, damaged, ill-fitting, or duplicative is fair game. More specifically, though, here are 10 things to declutter from your closet before spring arrives.
Get ready for spring cleaning now by following this advice:
Boots with Worn Soles
If you have a pair or two of boots that have been your go-to for the past few winters, all that wear and tear has likely worn down the soles. Without proper structural support, these shoes are more likely to cause discomfort, pain, and slips. As you inspect your winter boots, look for signs of worn soles like a thin, smooth, or uneven surface.
Socks That Slip Off
There’s nothing more frustrating than putting on a pair of socks that doesn't stay put. How can your toes stay warm if your socks aren't snug on your feet? If you own a pair that slips off whenever you walk, whether the sizing is off or the material is slick, take this as your permission slip to declutter them from your wardrobe.
Mismatched Gloves
Throughout the season, you might find that your collection of winter accessories, particularly your gloves, has started to wane. We never know how it happens, but we do know that the full set is necessary to keep your hands nice and toasty! If you come across a glove that doesn't have its match, take it as your cue to toss it.
Pilled Sweaters
While you can restore pilled sweaters with a fabric shaver, a sweater comb, or even a razor, if it's particularly worn-out, none of these methods will successfully revive the fabric. As you declutter your closet, set the pilled sweaters aside to donate or discard, depending on the condition. To prevent future pills, wash your garment inside out on a gentle cycle in cold water before air-drying it.
Stretched-Out Pants
Pants tend to loosen the more you wear them. While this can be helpful in some situations, like when a stiff pair of jeans molds to your body with each wear, other types of form-fitting pants like leggings and trousers will just look frumpy if they’re stretched out. After doing a quick try-on, place any ill-fitting pants in the donations bin.
Backup Formalwear
We all have that dress that has been sitting on a hanger in the back of our closet, just waiting for some future occasion with a formal dress code to pop up. But if you haven't worn the cocktail dress by now, it's just been taking up prime real estate inside your closet. Instead of keeping it there indefinitely, it's better off in the donations pile!
Special-Occasion Coats
On that same note, winter coats that are reserved only for special occasions may also be hogging your hangers. If you own any that you've rarely worn this season or that you're holding out hope for, it's definitely something worth decluttering from your closet before spring.
Duplicate Basics
Basics like a white button-down and a black long-sleeve are wardrobe essentials, but you only need so many! As you organize your winter closet ahead of spring’s arrival, bid adieu to excessive duplicates. For instance, if you have five nearly identical black sweaters, keep the best two or three and give away the rest.
Tattered Pajamas
The spring is all about starting fresh, so it isn’t the time or place to hold onto worn-out sleepwear. If you’ve been sleeping in pajamas that have faded prints, frayed edges, thinning fabric, stained spots, or missing elastics, spring is the perfect opportunity to replace them. Donate the PJs in average shape, but dispose of any that truly aren't wearable.
Supplemental Bags
If your shelves are overflowing with piles of purses, wallets, and tote bags, for a clutter-free closet come spring, use this time to get rid of any that you’ve outgrown or barely worn or that feel duplicative. Keep the essentials, such as basic totes and frequently used handbags, and set the rest aside to donate.
Lilly Blomquist is the associate editor at The Pioneer Woman, where she writes lifestyle stories across a wide range of topics—including news, entertainment, holidays, food, and more.
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