Fall cleanup - What are your keys?

[Aka_Donna]

There is spring cleanup and now it is time for fall cleanup. Not a purge but a prune. Too much stuff will never use, so the question is... what is your best process for cleanup and making room for new stuff?

For a few items I usually ask: used in last year? still like? Either: gone, save, or decide later.

However we are talking about an overflowing closet and bins, so thinking this might be best

A- quick sort by type: shoes, dresses, etc into piles/boxes
B- count items by type and decide on range of number that would be best
C- prune out only the go away items in each grouping. This should give a good boost to the project as can easily see results.

Take a break
D- unprune the "yes need to save" in each grouping
E- narrow the range of items in each grouping to one number
F- prune a bit

Take a long break, like a day
G- eval: how did it go? Any changes needed? Any lessons learned so far?
H- finish pruning to ideal number
I- How going to remind self: grouping count and how to process out one item for each new item.

J- Put groupings back so easier to find
K- Order new item as reward and mark which item it will replace.
L- Final eval: lessons learned?


Yes, it's a massive project but need has been growing so think it will be worth it.

Any suggestions?

[DianeT]

All my stuff fits in a large suit case. It grew in size mostly after my wife decided to donate some items to me, and it's stuff I cherish even if I don't use all of it.

[VS Fan]

PERFECT TIMING - I?m doing this exact thing today. I will put your excellent list/process to good use! :). Edit: we have an undersized master closet and as my wife and I like to joke ?there are three people living in there!?

[Gail_veiled]

Your plan is a lot more thought out than mine was!

I did a spring cleanup / downsize where I sorted everything into two sets: One was my favorites & "Couldn't bear to let go" pile and the rest, either because they didn't fit right or I didn't much like the style, into a second pile. That second pile went into a black bag and I let it sit in the garage for a couple of weeks. I then revisited that bag for regrets (and pulled 2-3 items back out :sigh:) and brought it to the local donation box before I had a chance to second guess myself anymore.

Only fall prune I'm planning is to throw away some unwanted makeup as I really haven't bought any new clothes this summer. Lol - I don't think I have the discipline for the one-in, one-out strategy.

[bridget thronton]

I move my sleeveless dresses to the basement and bring up my sweater dresses

[Raychel]

I have a walk in closet for Raychel which is absolutely overflowing.
While away on vacation I got 7 new blouses, They will need a spot to hang
I will have to do some sorting for sure. They may end up hanging in Ray's closet.
There are a few things in there that can go. :thinking:

This might actually be a good project for today.

[docrobbysherry]

I throw a big end of summer party. Forcing me to clean and re organize my house, garages, and grounds. My party's tomorrow and I've working on all my crap for weeks!:sad:

Still not close to done. But, at least I have some direction and a plan! One, is turning a garage into a large closet with hanging rods for Sherry!:devil:

[Maria 60]

This is the time of year me closet grows because my wife does the cleanup of her things and ends up in my dresser. My wife theory during the year is, "one in one out". Doesn't seem to work for me. My collection is almost in hoarder territory because I just can't let anything go. My wife was talking about doing what she calls change over for the season, but I'm going to try. It's so hard because when I was younger I could have only dreamed of having this collection and now I'm going to throw it away. It doesn't make sense.

[CarlaWestin]

Gosh, this doesn't fit anymore and I haven't worn it for years but......
I mean, it's so cute and sexy. Hmmm. Maybe I'll donate it later. Ooo! Look! I haven't worn this for years!
OK, that's a maybe later......

[Aka_Donna]

Lessons learned so far:

aa item needs to be added. Some items are immediate, ugh get rid of this I'll never wear it. No sense in counting it.

Secondly, need to have a series of short work sessions and expect to have many reps. Only able to work less than 30 minutes at a time.

Interesting process so far. I'm getting more room for cool stuff.....

[Heather76]

Since my son was here this past week, I had to move everything out of the spare bedroom into our bedroom. He left on Saturday and in 2 weeks my BIL and SIL will arrive. Instead of moving everything back to the spare room just so I can move it out again, I moved only about half my things there. I moved only 6 of 14 dresses back. There are 2 or 3 I really like that I left in our closet. Aside from those, I will likely take the rest of the dresses to Goodwill to make room for some new dresses. I have 4 or 5 bras I rarely wear that may go the same way to make room for a few more of the brand/style I prefer. Both brands & styles of lace panties I wear are no longer available, so I purchased a 4-pack of another brand to try. I like them, but they seem to be a little larger than the same size in the ones I've been wearing. I will order the next smaller size to see if that works. If it does, it will be time to order several more 4-packs. I also have some jewelry and makeup to dispose of that I simply don't use for various reasons.

[HollyGreene]

I'm sorting through my stuff right now. Most of my summer dresses will be going in boxes in the roof, and my autumn/winter dresses will come down to take their place.
Anything that I doubt that I'll wear again, or no longer fits will be taken to the charity/goodwill shops.
The same with summer sandals and winter boots.