How to Spring Clean the Closets

Closets often end up being the black hole into which discarded, unwanted and forgotten objects disappear. There's no doubt that closets are convenient locations to stash anything we don't want to see. Even if we intend a closet to only provide a temporary holding place for something until a better location is found, the old adage of "out of sight, out of mind" often becomes the case. Therefore, when you spring clean your house, don't forget to clean out the closets too.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Plastic containers
• Mothballs
• Shoe polish

Get Your Closets Into Tip-Top Shape

1. Go through the clothes in your closets and remove anything you no longer want or haven't worn in at least a year. Set these clothes aside in a pile. You'll be giving these clothes away or selling them.

2. Take out all the clothes you are keeping. Make a pile of any clothes that need to be dry cleaned. Create another pile for clothes that need mending. Winter clothes should go in yet another pile.

3. Fold your winter clothes as neatly as possible and pack them into airtight, plastic containers to store for the summer. If you don't have plastic containers, a cedar chest or tightly sealed cardboard box will do. Throw a mothball or two into each container.

4. Take any remaining objects out of your closet and set them aside.

5. Polish any shoes that look dingy or dirty. Set cloth shoes aside to put through the washing machine.

6. Use a slightly damp cloth to thoroughly dust the interior surfaces of the closet. Make sure to cover storage racks or shelves, and get into any deep corners.

7. Vacuum the carpet in the closet. If the closet has a hardwood floor, mop it, and then wait for it to dry.

8. Put all of the contents of the closet back inside, keeping back any clothes that are going to be dry cleaned or mended.

9. Close the closet door, and then use a damp cloth to wipe down the door knob and any slats that may be present.

Tips & Warnings

• When you spring clean your closets, keep a big, plastic garbage bag or cardboard box handy to hold the clothes you're discarding. It makes it easier to transport these clothes to their new home if they're all in one container.
• Clothes donated to charity can be written off on your income taxes.
• If you want to make some immediate cash on your spring discards, rather than waiting until April 15 rolls around, try selling them through an online auction, at a garage sale or at a consignment shop.