How to Clean Out Your Closet for the New Year
As you're making plans and setting New Year’s resolutions for 2023, cleaning out your closet should be at the top of your list. Having a clean and organized wardrobe can make you feel healthier, lighter, and ready to take on whatever challenges come your way. So why not make it a priority, as 2023 is just beginning?
We’ll explain why you should clean out your closet for the new year, as well as some useful tips on how to do it (Marie Kondo style). We’ll also take a look at how to recycle old clothes ethically because, at Amour Vert, we're committed to a more sustainable future. Read on for the full guide to making your winter closet cleanout a reality.
Why You Should Start a Winter Closet Cleanout Going Into the New Year
It’s the perfect time to give your closet a fresh start. Cleaning out your closet not only makes you feel more confident and organized but also helps ensure that you’re wearing pieces that truly reflect your current style. By taking the time to clean out any pieces that don’t spark joy for you and/or no longer fit, you’ll make room for clothes that will help bring out the best version of yourself.
Plus, it can be an incredibly cathartic experience to part with clothes and accessories from past chapters of your life. Keep your focus on the new year ahead — there’s no better time for a clean slate. 2023 is all about building a wardrobe that reflects your most confident, comfortable, and authentic self.
Tips for How to Clean Out Your Closet
- Commit to the Process By Solidifying A Plan
Cleaning your closet can feel like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be! The key is to first commit to the project. You’ll feel much better once it’s complete — so keep that end goal in mind.
Like all goals worth pursuing, figuring out how to clean out your closet also starts with a plan. If you’re not sure where to start, here are some important questions to ask yourself before jumping in and tackling the project:
- What do you want your closet to look like?
- Will you need to buy any closet organizers or storage bins beforehand?
- Which part of your closet will you start organizing first?
- How will you organize your clothes?
- What pieces will you keep? Which do you need to recycle?
Once you have an idea of how to clean out your closet for the new year, you can break it down into milestones. Be sure to prioritize the most important tasks first. Now that you have your plan in place, it’s onto step number two!
- Keep the Pieces That Feel Good — And Out With the Rest
Next, you’ll want to break down the project into manageable chunks. This will help you tackle the task at hand without getting overwhelmed. Before you get started organizing, the goal is to get rid of all the items that no longer serve you.
The first question you should ask yourself when choosing what to keep and what to get rid of is, do you love wearing it? This will help you find your tried and true items that are worth holding onto. Keep in mind that not every item of clothing you wear will make you feel like a million bucks, but take note of the ones that do. This way, you can easily decide what makes you happy and what doesn’t.
On the other hand, some items also serve a practical purpose, so they may be worth keeping. As long as you’re getting regular use of the clothing, consider it an item that can stay. If you have any pieces of clothing that are tucked away in the back of your closet, then set them aside in a pile for donating or recycling ethically (more on this below!).
- Group Together Similar Items
Next, you may want to try organizing what remains efficiently – such as grouping together all similar pieces (e.g., sweaters, jeans). Alternatively, you may want to consider color-coordinating your closet. This creates order and also makes it more visually appealing. Plus, you’ll have an even easier time picking out your outfits!
Just be sure to start tidying up your closet according to the item category or color rather than starting in a specific location. This will save you time, and you’ll work so much more efficiently! You may even want to label each section when you’re finished, especially if you’re using storage bins or boxes to get things organized.
- Take Breaks As You Finish Each Milestone
Finally, make sure to take regular breaks throughout the process so you don’t get overwhelmed! Each time you complete a milestone, give yourself a breath of fresh air and head outside or focus on something completely different.
Pro tip: If cleaning out your closet is a truly daunting task, you can even come up with a reward system. After all, doesn’t everybody love to be rewarded for a job well done?
Make sure the reward is something relevant to the task at hand. Consider rewarding yourself with a new sustainable sweater or eco-friendly blouse once you’ve completed the project. Or, if you really want to go all out, reward yourself after each milestone! It will give you a little extra motivation to purge all of the old clothing items in your closet.
How to Recycle Old Clothes Ethically
Now that you’ve finished your winter closet cleanout, it’s time to learn how to recycle old clothes that you’ve chosen not to keep. Recycling old clothes ethically is an important part of being a responsible consumer. Not only will it help reduce the amount of waste going into landfills, but it also ensures that your unwanted pieces are put to good use and don’t end up in the hands of unethical manufacturers.
So how do you recycle old clothes? One way to recycle responsibly is by donating your used clothing items to local nonprofit organizations where they can be resold at affordable prices for those who need them most.
You can also check if any local consignment shops accept donations – these stores often resell second-hand clothes at lower price points than traditional retailers. By taking this approach, you’re doing your part to help prevent overconsumption and ensure that no one has to buy new clothes when there are already so many gently-used garments available for purchase.
If you want even more control over where your old clothes go, consider repurposing them yourself! There are tons of creative ways you can transform cast-off apparel into something entirely new – from turning T-shirts into bags or scarves to designing elaborate quilts out of patterned fabric scraps.
Alternatively, look into textile recycling centers near you, which will process everything from denim jeans and cotton sweaters down to zippers or buttons that have come off other garments. So whether you choose to donate, repurpose, or recycle – make sure 2023 is the year that all your fashion choices reflect both personal style AND social responsibility.
Shop Amour Vert After Your Winter Closet Cleanout
Once you’ve cleansed your closet after the new year, another important piece of the puzzle of determining how to recycle old clothes is shopping sustainably. If you’re looking for a way to reward yourself after your winter closet cleanout, look no further than Amour Vert! Our sustainable clothing collections offer stylish pieces that are ethically made with eco-friendly materials – so you can feel good about treating yourself while also reducing your environmental impact.
Amour Vert hopes we’ve explained how to clean out your closet while helping you to realize why cleaning out your wardrobe should be a top priority for you going into the new year. Use these tips to declutter, recycle ethically, and shop sustainably. At Amour Vert, we have plenty of stylish and eco-friendly clothing for you to choose from this winter. From cozy sweaters and stylish dresses to timeless blazers and jeans, our collection has something for everyone. So don't wait – get your winter closet cleanout started today and begin 2023 with shopping sustainable styles.