Fall is almost here, and the time has come to declutter that black hole we call a closet. Things go in and get lost, and you If you feel like you never have anything to wear, the time has come to work on clearing out the junk and creating the perfect wardrobe. You won’t get that if you can’t find anything in your bedroom closet because it’s overstuffed with clothes you never wear. So today is step one, where we start by making some room in there.

How to clean out your closet

1. If clothing outdated, old, or in bad shape, toss it in the garbage. Poor people deserve nice things too, not your torn or stained clothes, so resist the urge to donate yucky clothes. You got your money’s worth over the years, so only donate clothes that aren’t right for you but are still in good shape for someone else.

2. If an item of clothing doesn’t fit, and likely never will again, take it out of the closet. Maternity clothes, clothes you wore in high school or when you were 100 lbs heavier, it should all go. Someone will appreciate them, so bless them with your no-longer useful clothes.

3. It it’s the right size, but the wrong style, take it out. Clothes are made for all shapes and sizes. If it doesn’t suit your shape, don’t make yourself feel bad. Shop for your body shape, and forgive yourself for past shopping booboos. You can’t change from a pear shape to an hourglass shape, so don’t torment yourself. Get rid of it. Just because it’s your size (or a great price, or new with tags) doesn’t mean you should keep it. And I hear the “around the house” argument all the time. How many ugly, old, poorly fitting outfits do you need for around the house or to paint? When do you ever really paint? And shouldn’t you look and feel good at home, with your family? (Forget that company may pop over unannounced.)

These have to go…now. Right now!

4. If it’s the wrong color, toss it. If everytime you wear something people ask if you’re feeling sick, get rid of it. It doesn’t matter that it makes you look slim or that it’s cashmere. If the color doesn’t flatter you and make your skin glow, and instead makes you look tired, sick, or whatever, get rid of it, it’s a bad color for you. Give it to someone that color looks great on. If you wear something that makes people tell you that you look great, healthy, energetic, it’s a good color for you. Remember that color for the future.

5. If you don’t see yourself ever wearing something, put it on the side to sell or donate. Keep a special section in your closet for gowns, costumes, and special event clothing that you actually wear (even if only once a year) but otherwise, you can donate them or sell them. A few of these items can stay, but out of the way, and not the first things you see when you open your closet. When you open your closet doors, only the clothes you actively use and wear regularly should have prime real estate.

6. After you pared down your closet, you should only see clothes remaining that you will wear, and look good on you. You may only hve 5 outfits left, but that’s ok, because you’ll be rebuilding your wardrobe again soon. Make sure there is nothing left in your closet that is unflattering, or makes you feel bad, or needs repair. Be ruthless.

7. The ideal closet should have space between the hangers and clothes, so your apparel can swing freely and allow air to circulate. This keeps clothes in tip top shape, longer, and prevents odors from developing on clothes and transfer between them. Now that your closet is roomier, hang some nicely fragranced sachets inside your bedroom closet to delicately scent your clothes and make your closet smell nice every time you open the doors. Buy quality wooden and padded hangers for your clothes.

Stay tuned for tips on how to organize your wardrobe closet now that it’s cleared out, and how to build up a flattering wardrobe with clothes you’ll be ecstatic to have!