My Closet Cleanse Journey: How Moving Helped Me Declutter

Over the past year, I moved across three different states, and each time, I had to reevaluate my wardrobe. It made me question which items were truly worth keeping.

Why I Started My Closet Cleanse

My decluttering journey began in California, where I realized how many clothes were just taking up space. Some pieces never got worn, yet they hogged room in my suitcases and boxes.

During my last two moves, I paid closer attention to seasonal suitability. Since I relocated to a place with all four seasons (unlike Southern California!), I had to think carefully about what I actually needed.

This process helped me identify:

• Essential items
• Things that wasted space
• One overlooked aspect of closet cleansing (which I’ll explain later)

Below are the steps that helped me rethink my clothing choices.

Step 1: The Initial Sort

This first step is popular for good reason—it works!

1. Empty your closet (or dresser… or floor) and pile everything on your bed.
2. Sort items into three categories:

1. Go-To Favorites

These are the pieces you wear constantly—comfortable, well-fitting, and confidence-boosting. They define your personal style.

Action: Set these aside for now—we’ll revisit them later.

2. Sometimes Worn

These items get occasional use. Maybe they’re less comfortable, require specific occasions, or are tricky to style.

Action: Make a neat pile—we’ll come back to these.

3. Never Worn

That skirt you loved in the store two years ago but never actually wear? It belongs here.

Action: Group these together for final decisions.

Step 2: Seasonal Sorting

Now, organize each pile by season. If you don’t live in perpetual summer (like I used to), you’ll need variety.

Examples:

• A heavy winter coat during autumn? → Winter category
• A light spring blouse in late winter? → Spring category

Tips:

• Not every pile will have all four seasons
• You can combine spring/summer or fall/winter if appropriate

Once sorted, group seasonal items together (but keep categories separate!). Summer Go-To’s, Sometimes, and Never piles should stay distinct.

Trust me—this system works!

Step 3: The Game-Changing Step

Here’s the insight that transformed my approach:

During moves, I kept clothes I rarely wore, thinking “I’ll use this someday!” My closet cleanses revealed I was ignoring reality.

My solution:

1. Try on every “Sometimes” and “Never” item
2. Keep pieces that fit well (or can be repaired)
3. Move them to my Go-To pile

For cute but hard-to-style items, I mixed and matched with other pieces to create complete outfits.

This might seem counterintuitive for minimalism, but it prevents the cycle of purging-then-rebuying. Many people discard good clothes only to repurchase similar items later.

Step 4: The Final Cleanse

This simple two-part step is incredibly satisfying:

1. Off-season storage: For kept items not currently in season, box them up (label clearly!) and store under your bed.
2. Donate or discard:
   • Donate unworn but usable clothes
   • Trash damaged items (stains, broken zippers, etc.)

The Bigger Benefits

A wardrobe cleanse does more than organize clothes—it reduces stress and improves money management. You’ll feel better about your space and your choices.