How To Actually Implement A Closet Cleanout (Without Overwhelm)
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How would you end this sentence?:
My closet feels…
(A) Streamlined and exciting
(B) Overstuffed and stressful
If you’re like most people…it’s anything but A.
I recently wrote a post about How to Overcome the Urge to Revamp Your Wardrobe. And while that’s required reading if you want to avoid the trap of starting over from scratch (only to end up with more clutter and regret), sometimes a thoughtful, thorough closet cleanout is the answer (or at least part of it!).
Because if you’ve got a crowded closet full of "meh" pieces, it’s going to be pretty hard to pick out outfits you love.
That closet clutter isn’t just taking up physical space — it’s weighing down your style and your confidence.
A good wardrobe audit isn’t about being a minimalist or going full Marie Kondo. It’s about setting the stage for an effortless, pulled-together look on the daily.
And if you’ve ever tried to clean out your closet and ended up purging too much, second-guessing everything, or even abandoning the pile halfway through — trust me that there is a better way.
Below, I’m sharing several different closet cleanout strategies — from quick and easy to slow and intentional.
I promise that with the right method, it’s going to be way easier than you think.
Step 1: Choose Your Closet Cleanout Strategy
First, decide how to approach your closet detox. There is no one “right” way – pick the method that feels intuitive and easy to implement.
1. The 1-In-1-Out Method
If you're someone who shops often or struggles with keeping clutter at bay, this method is a game-changer.
How it works: For every new clothing item you add to your wardrobe, you must remove one. Bought a new pair of jeans? Time to say goodbye to another pair you aren’t reaching for.
Why it works: It keeps your wardrobe in balance and forces you to think intentionally before making new purchases.
Best for: Shoppers who want to maintain a streamlined wardrobe long-term. This method is also incredibly helpful if you're looking for small closet organization ideas that actually work.
2. The Backwards Hanger Trick
A classic for a reason! This strategy gives you a visual roadmap for how to organize a small closet with lots of clothes, based on what you’re actually wearing on the regular.
How it works: Turn all your hangers backwards at the start of a season. As you wear an item, return it to the closet with the hanger facing the correct way. At the end of the season, it's easy to see what you haven't worn — those are your candidates for donating or selling.
Why it works: It's visual, simple, and objective. No overthinking necessary.
Best for: People who need proof before they part ways with clothes. Skip this method if you have too many “just in case” or “seasonal” items that you may not be willing to let go of.
3. The "Would I Buy This Again?" Test
This method is the ultimate reality check. Ideally, everything in your closet should be something you’d willingly make space for, over and over again.
How it works: Hold up each item and ask, "If I saw this in a store today, would I buy it again?" If yes, double down and ask, “Would I buy it in this size?”
Why it works: It cuts through nostalgia and guilt. If the answer is "no," it doesn't belong in your closet anymore.
Best for: People who tend to hang onto things "just in case” or who feel guilty about money spent on an item. The money is gone whether you keep it or not…letting go might just help you release that regret and move on. You can always make better decisions next time!
4. The "Wear It One Last Time" Challenge
Sometimes you just need to figure out if an item feels right.
How it works: Gather all your questionable clothing items and commit to wearing each piece one more time. At the end of the day, assess how you felt. Did you tug at it? Feel drab? Get compliments? If it doesn't spark confidence or joy, it's time to part ways.
Why it works: It gives you concrete feedback, not just a guess.
Best for: Sentimental dressers or those who waffle over decisions. This method is a great way to figure out how to wear everything in your closet more intentionally.
5. The Capsule Closet Experiment
When you start from a place of intention, you’ll feel much more at peace with your results.
How it works: Set aside a small "capsule" collection of your favorite pieces (say, 30-40 items) and wear only from that selection for 30 days. Notice what you miss — and what you don't.
Why it works: It reveals your true favorites and shows you how little you really need.
Best for: Minimalists at heart, people with a small closet, or anyone craving a lasting style reset.
6. Distinct Style Club’s Four-Pile Sorting System
The outdated “Keep-Maybe-Get Rid of” strategy doesn’t even begin to account for all the nuances that exist in your wardrobe. That’s why I created a better way – the Four Pile Sorting System.
How it works: First, you’ll do a first pass to quickly sort every item into one of four piles (Keep, Pause, Part, and Replace). From there, you’ll break down each of those piles into super actionable subcategories. I walk you through each and every step with plenty of support (like a decision-making flowchart and essential mindset shifts) in my instant download Closet Cleanout Toolkit.
Why it works: It provides the upmost clarity and logic to your cleanout! It streamlines decision-making, without oversimplifying to a one-sized-fits-all approach.
Best for: People who are ready to create momentum on a style refresh. If you aren’t sure which method to choose – pick this one. I designed it to be workable for anyone, with plenty of customization throughout the process.
Step 2: Match Your Method to a Timeline
You've picked a cleanout strategy — now let’s pair it with a realistic timeline so it actually gets done.
Different personalities thrive with different approaches. What we want to avoid is giving up halfway through! So here are a few ways you can easily build your preferred cleanout strategy into your daily life without feeling like it's a huge, looming chore.
1. The "Good Morning Audit": One Piece at a Time
This approach is ideal if you want to learn how to wear everything in your closet and truly love what you do own. To implement, evaluate one item each morning when you get dressed:
Do I love wearing this?
Does it fit and flatter me?
Does it align with my current life?
If not, place it in a designated box you keep nearby to sell, donate, or discard later.
Pros: Gentle, daily progress without feeling overwhelming.
Cons: May take a long time if you have a large quantity of clothing (though slowing down the process isn’t always a bad thing!).
Perfect for: Busy schedules, low-pressure personalities.
2. The “Goodnight Cleanse”: One Drawer/Shelf at a Time
As you change into your pajamas each night, tackle one drawer, shelf, or closet section. Pajama time becomes productive and you can reward yourself with cozy vibes afterward.
Pros: Bite-sized tasks that add up quickly, completed at a time of day when you usually have fewer distractions or people calling your name
Cons: Not ideal for folks who suffer from “decision fatigue” by the end of the day
Perfect for: Night owls, gradual declutterers, parents whose kids have an earlier bedtime
3. The “Daily Detox”: One Category at a Time
With this approach, you’ll focus on just one category per day: shirts one day, pants the next, dresses another day, etc.
Pros: Helps you notice patterns ("Wow, I have eight identical black sweaters!") and make better, more consistent decisions; allows you to detox your entire closet as quickly as one week.
Cons: May not work well for people who have a wide variety of clothing colors and styles in their closet and would benefit from looking at all outfit ingredients as a whole.
Perfect for: Logical thinkers who like organized systems, people with generally cohesive closets.
4. The “Cleanout Sprint”: Everything All at Once
This is the method you probably think of when you imagine a closet cleanout: block off a chunk of time (1-3 hours for smaller closets or a whole morning or afternoon for bigger wardrobes) and work through an intense, focused cleanout session.
Pros: Major progress fast; super satisfying and builds momentum.
Cons: Can lead to decision fatigue if you have a lot of items – which may mean you purge too much, too soon.
Perfect for: People who like ripping the band-aid off and getting it done; people who need to organize a small closet with lots of clothes.
5. The “Monthly Purge”: Ongoing Edit
At the end (or beginning) of every month, audit a small portion of your wardrobe. Over time, it becomes second nature.
Pros: Sustainable maintenance long-term.
Cons: Requires the discipline to be consistent
Perfect for: Anyone who loves a recurring "fresh start" feeling; people who live in climates with extreme weather shifts (i.e. super cold winters and hot summers)
Once you’ve identified your preferred strategy plus your preferred timeline (or blended a few for your perfect fit)…go ahead and get to cleaning!
Here are a few more of my top tips to make your effort a success:
No Item Left Behind: Don’t skip easily overlooked categories like swimwear, pajamas, and undergarments. These pieces seem unimportant…until they’re not! You’re doing “future you” a big favor if you’re able to reach for a swimsuit you feel comfortable in when vacation rolls around.
Be realistic, not ruthless: You don't have to go full minimalist. You just want a closet that reflects you now, not past versions of you. And don’t fall into the trap of keeping clothes that are an unrealistic prop of the life you want instead of the life you have.
Keep the vision: Focus less on what you're "losing" and more on the style clarity and daily ease you're gaining. If you use my Closet Cleanout Kit, I’ve packed in some essential mindset shifts for all the different mental blocks you might encounter during your purge process.
Curate your style: The best time to do a closet cleanout is after you’ve gotten totally clear on your signature personal style. To curate a truly distinctive wardrobe, make sure each item you keep aligns with things like your style anchor words and personal color palette. Start with my 10 Guidelines to Unlock Your Signature Style if you need some help with this.
If you've been wondering how to organize a closet, how to wear everything in your closet, or just need inspiring closet organization ideas, consider this your invitation to begin.
Remember: there's no "perfect" method. There's just what feels good, gets results, and helps you love your wardrobe — and your reflection — even more.
My Ultimate Closet Cleanout Kit
If you want a reliable, easy-to-implement professional method (without the professional all up in your space), try my Closet Cleanout Kit.
For less than a fancy latte, you’ll get step-by-step instructions for my trademark approach to auditing your closet like a personal stylist.
This gorgeous, instant access e-book includes:
✔️ Distinct Style Club’s trademark Four Pile Sorting System that accounts for all the nuances in your wardrobe
✔️ A Closet Cleanout Flowchart to guide tricky decisions
✔️ Mindset mantras for every “what if…” moment
✔️ Step-by-step instructions for a full reset or bite-sized cleanouts
✔️ Closet organization strategies + storage ideas
If you’ve tried the DIY closet cleanout in the past but felt unsuccessful or incomplete, do yourself a favor and get the kit to fast track to a 100% wearable closet, no second-guessing.
