Good News Tucson - A Family Values Magazine

Once you’ve tackled shopping for all your family’s back-to-school clothing, you might find yourself facing another hurdle: putting it all away. If your child’s (or your own!) closet contains a fabric avalanche that lets loose every time the door is opened, a monstrous tangle of hangers, belts and clothing, or could simply stand to be better organized, here are some tips you might find helpful.

Start by removing everything from the closet. This is an ideal time to weed out outdated, outgrown or worn-out clothing. It might be handy to have some large garbage bags or boxes nearby. Fill one with items suitable to donate. Fill another bag with items requiring doable repairs. Anything with stains or irreparable holes should be trashed or cut up into rags. Come across something that hasn’t been worn in ages, but you just can’t bear to give it up quite yet? (You just know that as soon as you do you’ll need it!) Hang it back in the closet, but hook the hanger from behind the bar. Hang it back correctly only if the item actually gets worn. A year from now, if the item is still there untouched, you’ll be certain you can get rid of it.

And speaking of hangers, is your closet a conglomeration of wire ones? Donate them to a thrift store or even your favorite dry cleaner. Then take a trip to your neighborhood dollar or discount store and stock up on plastic hangers (you can even color-coordinate them with the rest of the room!). Wire hangers tangle together, snag clothing and allow silkier fabrics to slide off onto the floor. Another option to consider are attachable hangers, which allow you to layer several pieces of clothing vertically, making use of that empty bottom half of the closet.

When you’re ready to restock the closet, hang clothing by category. Place all the jeans together, all the slacks together, all the skirts together and so on. If you are really feeling bit by the organization bug, go ahead and subcategorize by color! This also gives you an idea of your child’s favorite styles and colors, as well as items you might need to purchase (a plain white top) or get rid of (three green and blue rugby shirts?).

You’re so proud that your child can get dressed all by herself! But would you rather she didn’t wear the pink and purple polka-dot top and the red and green plaid skirt together on a school day? Look for a hanging organizer with five or more “shelves”. On the weekend, simply place five complete outfits – one on each shelf – for your child to wear that week. Include everything from undergarments to hair accessories to streamline your morning routine.

Is your child’s closet floor in constant disarray? Clear plastic shoe boxes are a terrific alternative to a pile of footwear on the closet floor. Stack dress shoes in one area, play shoes in another. Place a kid-size hamper in the closet as well; chances are your kiddo will make the effort to throw dirty clothes in it rather than on the closet floor.

Is your home blessed with a teen or two? Resist the urge to barge in and clean and organize their closet for them. It’s okay to insist that they do it – your house, your rules, right? – and even offer to help. But respect their right to privacy and instill a sense of responsibility by leaving it for them to take care of.