Clean Out Your Wardrobe

It’s that time of year again. You know, that period when we’re just starting to pull ourselves out of the winter fog we’ve been living in and starting to prepare for the great times ahead. The trouble is, as the weather warms up and the skies lighten, so too do our clothes, which means that a wardrobe shuffle is in order.

This is the sort of thing every man wants to put off, but can’t. I’m referring to cleaning out your closet, judging what to keep and what to get rid of and putting your heavy winter gear into storage until next year.

Here are some tips on how to clean out your wardrobe for summer.

what to throw away

In the hunt for closet space, an “in with the new, out with the old” mentality is key. Anything faded, shrunken or lined with holes should be the first casualties, no matter how hard it might be to part with the stuff you’ve not only grown used to, but feel comfortable in.

Old shabby shoes and sports jerseys should be next on the list, as often these are nothing more than decorative closet pieces taking up space. Do you really want your floor covered with rotten-looking, old sneakers? And if you haven’t played football, soccer or baseball in more than two years, you really don’t need those cleats anymore. As for the jerseys, here’s some advice: if the team doesn’t exist anymore, you should consider letting the jersey go. There might be some camp value in having an L.A. Rams or Montreal Expos jersey, but do you honestly think you’ll wear it again? Give it away or sell it on eBay.

closet-clearing guidelines

Follow the one-year rule

As I already alluded to, if you haven’t worn it in a year and you can’t really picture yourself wearing it in the future (fashion is cyclical, after all), you should get rid of it. Being honest with yourself is key here. This rule also applies to old athletic equipment.

Give your old clothes to charity

Instead of throwing away clothes that still have life in them (especially if it’s just a matter of change in taste or size), you should give them away. There are many people out there who can put those garments to good use, and organizations like The Salvation Army and Big Brother (who might even pick them up from your place) will be more than glad to take them off your hands.

Make piles and keep garbage bags handy

When sifting through your clothes, you should be splitting them into groups: winter, spring/summer and charity. Keeping garbage bags close by will also speed up the process, as the items you want to give away can be prepared quickly.

Find out what to store and how to do it like a man…

what to store

When deciding what clothes to store, you should instantly think of the most essential items for winter survival: the things you wouldn’t dare go outside without. I’m talking specifically about your winter boots, jacket, hats, scarves, and gloves, as well as anything else that would make you break into sweat come summer.

Some of these, like hats and scarves, can still be useful in warm weather (depending on your style, of course), but odds are you won’t use them very frequently, which makes them prime for storage.

When it comes to sweaters, it’s a much trickier decision because despite the warmer weather, there is always the occasional cool summer night. A good idea is to pack away your warmest, thickest sweaters, while keeping thinner ones handy, just in case.

tips for storing your clothes

Wash your clothes

Since you don’t want stains or funky smells to set in and linger (tainting both the garment and the storage space), washing your clothes is an important first step when storing clothing for a long period of time. Make sure to also launder all your smaller winter items like gloves, hats and scarves, as those can also harbor some nasty aromas.

Dry clean your winter jacket

Give your coat a proper cleaning before you hang it up for the summer, and find a nice moth-free storage space. If your coat is made from leather, consider some extra care, namely specially-made sprays used for its upkeep.

Use proper hangers

Instead of hanging your winter jackets and coats on cheap wire hangers, make sure to use wooden hangers (if you don’t own any, go get some). These are essential if your jackets are heavy, and if you hope to keep their natural form intact.

Clean your winter shoes and boots

Anyone who’s trudged through slush knows how disgusting winter shoes can become. To protect and maintain the look of your shoes and boots, make sure to remove all the salt stains before storing them. Once this is done, stuff them with newspaper to keep their form and then store them in shoeboxes.

Ensure your clothes have a good smell

If you’ve washed and laundered your winter wear, you shouldn’t be too concerned about this. But if the thought of lingering nasty scents still bothers you, you can simply hang or place a lightly-scented air freshener in your closet. Even placing some Bounce sheets in storage along with your clothing can take care of foul odors.

Store everything in one place

You want your clothes to be easy to find and access when you need them in a few months. For this reason, try designating one particular space for these soon-to-be stored items of clothing. This can be the back of a closet, a box that you’ll keep in the corner of a room, or a drawer left empty for this exact purpose.

cheer up, summer is near

Cleaning out your closet might not be the most entertaining task, but it’s a necessary evil that lets you know what you have, what you’ve forgotten about, and what you can still buy. Following these tips and ideas will help make the process less annoying, and will clear away all those unsavory reminders of the long winter.