Did you clean out your closet in January? I didn’t. I tend to deal with my closet when the seasons shift – when it starts getting warmer in March and April, and when it starts getting cooler in September and October. And I think that’s a productive strategy in general. You’re already switching out some things in your closet, so why not figure out what is (and isn’t) working at the same time?

Of course, I do closet clean outs year round with my clients. I support them in separating what works from what doesn’t. We see what fits their lifestyle and body and current preferences. And we figure out what’s missing, so that shopping is intentional and targeted. But I won’t lie – it’s definitely a commitment. You need to devote the time and the energy to decide what stays, what goes and what needs a little help.

But if you’re not ready for a big closet clean out, there are a few things you can do to streamline what’s already in your wardrobe. And these things require less time and energy – so, you can do them when you have 20 minutes. Or on a weekly basis. Or just when you come home after shopping.

So, here are 3 ways you can clean out your closet – without doing a big closet clean out.

FORCE RANK

You have some absolute favorite items in your closet, right? Like the jacket that goes over most any outfit – or the top that always gets compliments – or the jeans that fit just right. And then you have some of those not-so-favorite pieces. Like the sweater that won’t stop pilling or the blazer that’s a bit too tight. So, here’s a strategy to sort your favorites from your not-so-favorites (and everything in the middle).

It’s a simple force ranking. Take a category of items and rank them from your favorite to your least favorite, and then commit to getting rid of the bottom few. Either decide to get rid of a specific number, or the bottom 25%, or something like that. And you can do this in a big way or a small way, depending on the time and energy you have.

In a small way, you can force rank items that are similar, that you feel you may have too many of. Like white tops or graphic t-shirts or blue jeans. (Then read this for my tips on buying multiples of the same items). And in a bigger way, you can address full categories in your closet – like force ranking your many spring jackets or all of your dresses.

CLOSET CLEAN OUT TIP: The bottom items from a force rank will generally fall into two categories: things to toss vs. things to deal with. The ‘toss’ items are those things you don’t really like anymore or don’t fit (and can’t be altered). And the ‘deal with’ things are those items that either need a repair or an alteration. So, treat them appropriately. And click here if you have a hard time letting go of things in general.

ONE IN, ONE OUT

I’m sure you’ve heard of this strategy before. When you buy something new, let go of something that’s already in your closet. And this is specifically helpful when you feel like you have enough clothes, because it keeps you from adding to the overall quantity. And it also forces you to think about your purchases differently. Instead of thinking, “do I like this enough to bring it home?”, you can think, “do I like this enough to let go of something I already have?” It’s a subtle, but important, mindset shift.

And yes, you can just commit to letting go of one item in your closet, no matter what it is. But if you want to be even more productive, you should let go of a similar item. It’s the idea of replacing things deliberately. So, if you buy a new cardigan, you can let go of another cardigan that you don’t like as much (or at least another third piece that serves a similar function). And then the overall result is that you don’t increase the amount of things in your closet – and you’re getting rid of what didn’t work, anyway.

CLOSET CLEAN OUT TIP: If your goal is not just to maintain, but to decrease the amount of clothes you own, shift this to a ‘one in, two out’ rule (or even three!). It will make you contemplate purchases even more mindfully. And it really narrows in on the things you don’t wear or like all that much. And if you need to get rid of even more, maybe it is time for a full closet clean out – here are my best tips to get it done in the least painful way.

DECIDE THE SPACE

This tip is actually a combination of the last two, but I personally find it super helpful. Based on your clothing storage (closet, drawers, etc.), decide how much space a category of items will take. For example, I have a lot of striped t-shirts. So, I’ve decided that I’m allowed one stack of short sleeve stripes and one stack of long sleeve stripes in my drawer. So, when I end up with an amount that would require starting another stack, I need to either stop shopping or get rid of something. If I’ve shopped, it’s basically using the ‘one in, one out’ strategy. And if it’s getting a little too stuffed, I’ll do a force rank.

And this goes for hanging items as well. Just decide how much space you’ll give to tops, jackets, etc. (you can place an empty hanger in between the sections). And when the sections start to get cramped, it’s time to let go of something.

CLOSET CLEAN OUT TIP: You may be naturally force ranking your clothes without even realizing it. If there are t-shirts or sweaters that are always at the bottom of the pile, these are already your bottom styles. If there are tops or pants that keep getting pushed further back in the closet, these are already at the bottom. So, you may need to do less work than you think to identify these.

BONUS CLOSET CLEAN OUT TIP: If you’re up for addressing a few more things in your closet with the arrival of spring, it’s a great time to check out your winter items before you store them away for the season. Check for stains, tears and anything that may need repair. And also see if there are styles that you barely wore (or didn’t wear) to be sure they still deserve space in your closet. Read this for more ways to transition your closet to spring.

Were these tips helpful? Will you be cleaning out your closet in the spring? Feel free to comment below with any questions.

If you’d like a partner in the process of cleaning out your closet and figuring out your style, let me know. Click here to read about my services. And then click here to set up a free consultation – we’ll talk through your needs and my process. And if it’s a good fit, I’ll add you to my summer waitlist, so that you can enjoy the rest of the year in style.