Transform your wardrobe space effectively and efficiently with these expert tips on how to keep your closet clean.

Everyone wants a clean closet, but it seems so hard to maintain. At the end of a long day, it’s tempting to kick off your shoes and throw your jacket on the closet floor. It’s all too easy to toss files, books, and clutter in there too. But when it’s time for spring cleaning, out of sight is no longer out of mind. 

How many times have you searched for something that’s been lost under piles of miscellaneous stuff? Losing your favorite shirt or pants can be incredibly frustrating, especially when you’re in a hurry. It seems like some people never have this problem because they are super neat and organized. But if you’re like most of us, you need an easy way to learn how to keep a closet clean that you can maintain, even when you’re on the go. 

How to Keep a Closet Clean: The Average Person’s Guide

The good news is that you can have a clean closet even if organization doesn’t come naturally to you. By following some basic tips and by customizing your closet, you can have an orderly space with a place for everything. Your organized closet will give you peace of mind—exactly what you need at a long day’s end. Here’s how to keep a closet clean, even if you’re a busy DC area professional with little time to spare.

Start with a good, deep-down clean

If you’ve got a messy closet, start by giving it a good cleaning. Pick a weekend or rainy day when you can devote your full attention to the job. Take everything out of your closet and stack things on your bed or on armchairs. Once it’s empty, clean the closet itself. Wipe down all shelves, walls, and baseboards and vacuum the floor. Use disinfectant spray and let the closet air dry.

Next, sort all your clothes, shoes, and accessories into piles. Make a pile for the things you love most, a pile for things you are unsure of, a pile of items to donate, and a pile for trash. The general rule is to either give or throw away clothing that you haven’t worn in at least a year, including items that no longer fit. You should be left with items that you wear, enjoy, and that are in good condition.

Reorganize your closet

It’s time to create an organization system for the contents of your closet, and there are a few different ways of doing it. Some people organize their clothes by season, keeping clothes for the current weather in the closet while storing unseasonal items elsewhere, such as under the bed or in the garage. Others prefer a modular closet, where interchangeable articles of clothing form coordinated outfits and are stored together. For example, you could mix and match three different navy tops with a skirt, slacks, or jeans. Dress the modular outfit up or down with heels or sandals that match your color palette.

Another way to go is to pick different areas of your closet for different types of items, such as a drawer for jewelry and a drawer for scarves. Or you can arrange your closet by color order, creating a rainbow of clothing. Whichever organization system you choose, keep your favorite items that you wear often front and center, and store things you use less often in the back or on the highest shelves.

Keep it clean, every day

Many people get through the first two tips but have trouble with this last one. How can you keep a newly organized closet clean? The trick is to stay on top of clutter before it has a chance to pile up. Pick up dirty clothes and put them in the hamper. Be sure to throw out the trash. If the closet gets dirty, give it another good dusting, wipe-down, or vacuuming. And now that everything has a proper place, put clothes away where they belong—not on the floor.

Fold clean clothes and place them in drawers or hang them up. Store accessories where they won’t get lost, such as in a jewelry drawer. Keep pairs of shoes together and wipe them down before putting them away to prevent the spread of dirt. Depending on your schedule, you may want to set aside a specific time to do this daily. Some people feel energized when they first wake up and don’t mind putting away clothes that may have been left out the night before. Others like to tidy up after dinner, once they’ve had a chance to relax. Pick the time of day that works for you and make putting items away a habit. The more you do it, the more naturally it will come to you. 

The Ultimate Organization Tip: Try a Custom Closet

Sometimes, it’s really not you—it’s your closet. No matter how hard you work, your closet may not stay clean if it doesn’t have enough space or the right layout to accommodate all your things. Instead of resigning yourself to dealing with the hassle, try installing a custom closet.

A custom closet is exactly what it sounds like; one that’s customized to fit your specifications, lifestyle, and the shape of your existing space, perfectly. And when you engage expert designers and master craftsmen, you’ll get exactly what you’re looking for. Here are just a few of the details you can choose to have in the closet of your dreams.

• Peninsulas and islands that offer more storage and counter space

• Adjustable shoe shelves

• Durable chrome laundry hampers with removable liners

• Jewelry storage

• Foldaway ironing boards

• Slide-out belt and tie racks

• Soft-close drawers

• Valet rods 

• Sturdy floor-standing shelves

• Sturdy, beautiful hardware

• Drawer boxes

•  Hidden wall supports

•  Thick, peel-resistant edge banding 

Closet America Can Build You a Closet That’s Easy to Clean 

No matter what size or shape your closet is, Closet America design experts can make it better. Our master craftsmen can build closet hardware tailored to fit your space and support the lifestyle you want by providing the organization solutions you need. Contact us to schedule a free design consultation and one of our design experts will gladly visit you in your home to measure your space, learn about your storage needs, help you create the neat, orderly closet you’ve been seeking to create all along.

We’ve customized closets for countless people in the DC area and we’ve seen the amazing ways a clean closet can transform your life. To install an easy-to-clean closet of your own, contact us today.