Drawers full of winter clothes? Change over those closets and get them organized at the same time.
This weather has been very confusing. Can it just please decide already what season it is?
Meanwhile, the closets are overflowing with a combination of winter and summer clothing choices and honestly, you can’t find anything for the kids to wear.
But, looking at the forecast today, it seems like winter is finally behind us. That’s it. It’s time to finally change over the closet.
I suggest you only change over one child’s closet at a time as it can get overwhelming. You can probably take care of your babies and toddlers’ closets and drawers without them. But once they reach the age where you aren’t really sure what size they are and what fits you usually need the child with you as you change over.
Also, remember that you can create wonderful memories of changing over the closet. Stay positive, compliment and make it fun.
It’s after all so exciting to see clothing they haven’t worn (even if its hand me downs).
Here is a step-by-step guide.
Step 1:
*Empty out all the hanging onto the bed. It may sound extreme to you, but this is truly the only way to see what you have (and see the floor).
*Stick all year round simcha wear right back into the closet at one end.
*Go through each outfit.
*Ask yourself or try on. Does it fit? Do I like it? Is it all year round or appropriate for the upcoming season? For example – long sleeve polo shirts for boys are all year round and should be kept in the drawers for days with chillier weather even if your boys only wear short sleeves all summer long. Black all year round girls dresses can be worn on Friday night in the summer.
Step 2:
As you decide if the clothing is good for the upcoming season, start sorting.
(Having a hard time getting rid of clothing? Read this post.)
Create 4 piles
This should include anything that’s ruined, torn, or not usable. Do others a favor and throw it out! Whoever will be getting your clothing doesn’t want torn clothing, just like you don’t.
2 – Giveaway/Donate (a white or clear garbage bag)
This should include clothing in good condition that doesn’t fit or doesn’t suit you anymore.
3 – Fix (a large shopping bag)
Do you need to let down a hem? Sew a button? Put the item in the fixing bag. (If you are super organized and this will take more time, pin on a note with fixing instructions on each outfit.)
4 – Hand Me Downs pile
This should any clothing you want to save for another family member.
The clothing that is good for the season (no fixing necessary) goes right back into the closet. Group similar clothing together, i.e. Weekday dresses, Shabbos dresses, uniforms.
Will some items be good next year? Don’t want to store them away? Place them on the highest shelf in the closet. Placing them in IKEA Staub shoe boxes like in this post, makes for a neat and organized closet.
Once your pile of hanging is done,
Step 3:
When placing items back onto the shelves or in the drawers, think about accessibility. Short sleeve t-shirts should be able to be reached by the child dressing him or herself. Shabbos folded tops can be on higher shelves. The same with sweatshirts for cold summer nights. Those go on a higher shelf that I can grab for them if needed.
Once all the shelves (or drawers are done), then…
Step 4:
Shoes and basics (pjs, underwear, and socks)
Quickly scan the shoes and get rid of any shoes that are small.
Socks. Move summer socks to a more accessible drawer.
The basics I usually find I don’t have to do as thoroughly as most are good year round. A quick scan will do, unless it’s gotten out of hand (There are 15 pairs of pjs in the drawer and the child only wears the same 3).
Some tips:
–The less in the closet the neater the closet will look. How many pairs of crocs does one child really need?
–As you go through the closet, keep a notepad (or notes on a phone) with anything that you notice you need to buy (i.e. more socks or shells).
–I find it’s easier, once the closet is neat and organized, to go through it and see what needs a headband, matching socks, or shell than do it during the sorting process. It’s easier to calculate that there are four outfits that need white shells but only two white shells in the closet, so maybe we need to buy one more. Or that we have two Shabbos outfits with the same shade of pink in it, so one new headband will cover both, and the green bow from last summer works for the new top you just got.
–Teenage girls – Have them try on every outfit. They have short memories of what outfit looks good on them. And you may be surprised to find out that they truly have a closet full of clothing but nothing to wear.
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