How to declutter your wardrobe (and why the 90/90 rule could help) (2024)

Is your wardrobe a jumbled mess of crammed-in clothes, shoes and accessories? A big wardrobe clear out is often top of the list when decluttering the bedroom but there's no underestimating the mammoth task at hand. Research by Homebase reveals that half (50 per cent) of UK adults don’t know how to organise the messy areas of their home, with one in four admitting that when it comes to their bedrooms, they need an extra wardrobe just to store their clutter. So, could the 90/90 decluttering rule be the answer to a clutter-free, streamlined wardrobe?

The 90/90 decluttering rule

Coined by Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus of The Minimalists (you might be familiar with their Netflix show, The Minimalists: Less Is Now), the 90/90 rule involves asking yourself two very simple questions:

'Look at a possession. Pick something. Anything. Have you used that item in the last 90 days? If you haven’t, will you use it in the next 90? If not, then it's okay to let go,' write Joshua and Ryan on their blog.

The 90/90 rule isn't limited to the wardrobe (in fact it's applicable to many areas of the home) but it's definitely a good place to start.

'Maybe your rule isn’t 90 days. Maybe it’s 120. Maybe it’s six months. Whatever your rule, be honest with yourself. If your material possessions don't serve a purpose or bring you joy, then they are likely in the way of a more meaningful life,' they explain.

While the number of days can be amended as you wish, establishing a timeframe is essential to maintaining a decluttering routine and to stop the accumulation of unnecessary and unwanted clothes. Ultimately, it'll help you to keep and cherish clothes that, in the words of Marie Kondo, actually 'spark joy'.

Decluttering your wardrobe

To help you declutter your wardrobe like a pro, we've spoken to the experts about their best practice tips, alongside quick and easy storage wins.

Clothes

• The rule of three

To make the process as clear and organised as possible, create separate piles and divide your clothes into three areas: what to keep, what to donate and what to sell.

• Give items a score

With clear piles, focus on the ones you're keeping and proceed to give each item of clothing a score out of 10 based on how it makes you feel and how practical/wearable it is. If you're serious about decluttering your wardrobe efficiently, be honest with your rating. 'Any item that has a score of five or less in either category, put to one side. Chances are you can get rid of it,' says Melissa Denham, interior design expert at Hammonds Fitted Furniture.

• Check for ‘multiples’ of the same item

With wardrobe staples like jeans and t-shirts, it's easy to end up with several of the same thing. But do you really need 10 white t-shirts or half a dozen pairs of almost identical jeans? The answer is no, probably not. Try to cut down on multiples – keep the newer ones or those that offer the best fit.

• Do a seasonal swap

Now's the ideal time to bid adieu to cosy knits and make room for some spring/summer wardrobe essentials. 'When it comes to storing jumpers and winter coats away, consider folding them to prevent stretching, and opt for vacuum-sealed bags to save space and keep them protected from dust and pests during the warmer months,' says Georgina Burnett, Sharps' declutter expert.

• Put items back logically

For the items you decide to keep, try to put them away in a logical, memorable order. You can group items by type, for example, all jumpers together, all jackets together and so on. Or you may want to categorise by colour. 'Either way, consider how you usually put an outfit together and go from there,' advises Melissa.

• Invest in space-saving slimline hangers

'Whenever we do a wardrobe detox, the first thing we always recommend to do is a change in hangers,' say the Style Sisters. 'It's a simple switch that can make the biggest difference. Not only do bulky wooden and plastic hangers take up space, but they can make wardrobes look messy and unorganised. You can typically fit three velvet hangers for every one wooden one. Giving a uniform, modern look, it will transform the space to feel like your favourite boutique clothes store!'

• Continue to test what you actually wear

As well as the 90/90 decluttering rule, with the clothes you choose to keep, there's another way to identify what you actually wear day to day. 'Turn your hangers around when you wear an item. Of course, seasonal things like summer dresses won’t be worn in cold weather', says Melissa, and vice versa, you won't be wearing chunky knitted jumpers in hot weather, but you’ll soon be able to work out what’s in use and what isn’t season to season.

Accessories, underwear and shoes

These items can take up a surprising amount of space in your wardrobe and drawers but are often forgotten about during a wardrobe decluttering session.

Treat accessories such as belts and scarves in the same way as clothes – how useful are they? And when was the last time you used them? To maximise storage, rather than folding belts, try hanging them from a hook inside your wardrobe door, which will free up drawer space for other items.

Also, re-evaluate your underwear based on what you use day to day and what fits you well. 'Organising underwear items by colour can also be really helpful for the future, making it easier to find what you want,' says Melissa. 'Storage boxes placed inside drawers can help you separate things, which again is really useful.'

Ditch socks with holes and any odd pairs, and when it comes to shoes, check if they still fit and are in good condition before anything else. Move the shoes you wear regularly to one side and put all the rest in a pile for review, and donate if in good condition.

Bedding and towels

If your bedding and towels stay in your wardrobe rather than an airing cupboard or other storage area, you should also take stock and filter as needed.

'We can acquire a mountain of bedding and towels over time, but realistically we only need a fairly limited amount of each,' says Melissa. 'For bed linen, you typically need a maximum of three sets per bed. Two "core" sets to alternate between on washing day, and potentially a seasonal variation (depending on if you tend to get hot or cold while sleeping). Focus on keeping bedding that is easy to wash and dry, is in good condition, and is comfortable.'

A similar rule applies to towels. 'For towels, again you may want to keep two core sets per person (face cloth, hand towel, bath towel),' advises Melissa. Remember, rolled towels take up less space than those that are folded.

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