How to Spring Clean Your Wardrobe

A fresh start without just making room for more stuff.

A wardrobe declutter shouldn’t be a thinly veiled excuse to discard last year’s clothes just to replace them with this year’s trends. But most spring cleaning guides will tell you exactly that, to "declutter your wardrobe" when really they mean is "throw everything out and go shopping—oh, and here's an affiliate link!"

A proper spring clean isn’t about making space for more stuff. It’s about building a wardrobe that actually works. One that makes getting dressed easy instead of a daily struggle just to find something half-decent to wear.

The goal is to curate wardrobe full of clothes you love and actually wear, not an empty rail waiting to be refilled. So let’s do this properly. No impulse shopping required.

Ready? Let’s go.

Step One: Take It All Out (Yes, Everything)

Empty your entire wardrobe. Every drawer, every shelf, every scrunched up t-shirt stuffed in the back. Take it all out so you can see exactly what you’re working with because nothing makes you confront your questionable shopping decisions faster than seeing them in one overwhelming heap. This also gives you a chance to deep clean your wardrobe space before putting back the good stuff.

Step Two: The Brutal Declutter

Now for the hard part. Pick up each item and ask yourself:

• Does it fit and feel comfortable?

• Do I actually wear it, or do I just like how it looks?

• Does it suit my current style, or am I clinging to a version of myself that no longer exists?

• Is it versatile, or does it only work with that one outfit I never wear?

• Do I need it for work, sports, or a hobby?

• Would I repair or repurchase it if it got damaged?

• Am I only keeping it because of how much I spent on it?

If you answered 'no' to most of these questions and haven’t worn it in the last year, maybe it’s time to let it go. Be ruthless. Sentimental pieces can be stored separately—everything else is just taking up valuable space.

Learn More: How to Declutter a Wardrobe

Step Three: Get Cleaning

While your wardrobe is still empty, take the opportunity to deep clean your wardrobe. Wipe down shelves, vacuum out corners, and clean your storage boxes. While you’re at it, set aside any clothes that need a bit of TLC, whether that’s repairs, de-pilling, or a deep clean.

Learn More: Eco-Friendly Cleaning Tips

Step Four: Take Inventory (It’s Not as Boring as It Sounds)

Want to avoid future wardrobe meltdowns? A wardrobe inventory is your best friend. Whether you go digital with a spreadsheet or an app, or keep it old-school with pen and paper, the goal is the same: document what you actually own. Photograph each item of clothing or, if that sounds like too much of a chore, grab stock images of similar items online.

Creating a wardrobe inventory will:

• Show you exactly what you have (it’s more than you think).

• Make outfit planning easy and less stressful.

• Stop you from buying yet another almost identical striped jumper.

Learn More: How to Create a Wardrobe Inventory

Step Five: Put It Back—But Smarter

Now that you’ve cleaned and decluttered your wardrobe, it’s time to put things back in an actually functional way. There are loads of way to do this, so do it in a way that makes sense to you. Organising by category (tops, bottoms, dresses, outerwear) makes things easy to find, then refine items by colour or season. If you have off-season clothes, store them separately so they’re not getting in the way of your daily rotation.

Learn More: Wardrobe Organisation Tips

Step Six: Sell, Donate, or Repurpose

Whatever unwanted items are leftover need to be decluttered responsibly. If they’re still in good condition, sell them on platforms like Vinted or donate them to a local charity. For clothes beyond saving, consider repurposing them as cleaning rags or sending them to textile recycling. The goal is to keep them out of landfill.

Learn More: Vinted Selling Tips

Step Seven: Rethink Your Shopping Habits

A freshly decluttered wardrobe is a fresh start, so let’s not ruin it with impulse buys. Set some personal style goals and prioritise sustainable shopping habits. Buy less, choose well, and lean into second-hand finds. It’ll save you money, hone your style, and keep your wardrobe from spiralling into chaos again.

Learn More: The Best Tips for Thrifting Clothes

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