Almost Zero Waste
  • Home
  • Articles
    • Zero Waste For Beginners
      • Pros And Cons Of Safety Razors (2022)
      • 6 Best Menstrual Cup For Beginners (2022)
      • Best Menstrual Cup For Heavy Flow (List)
      • How Do I Know If My Menstrual Cup Is In Right
      • How To Remove Menstrual Cup Without Mess
      • I Can Feel My Menstrual Cup: Causes & Prevention
      • 22 Surprising Things That Contain Plastic (+Plastic-Free Alternatives)
      • 26 Environmental Documentaries On Netflix (And Beyond)
      • 90 Zero Waste Tips For Beginners (Impactful & Easy Habits)
      • 11 Ways To Reduce The Use Of Plastic (+Infographic)
      • How To Start A Zero Waste Life? Top 16 essentials
      • 5 Rs Of Zero Waste: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rot
    • Zero Waste Products
      • 21 Best Eco-Friendly Shampoo And Conditioner Bars (Plastic-Free Alternatives)
      • The Most Sustainable Protein Bars: numove (Review)
      • 13 Zero Waste Protein Powder Products
      • 18 Sustainable Snacks With Compostable Packaging
      • 21 Zero Waste Bathroom Swaps & Essentials (And Where To Find Them!)
      • Soyabella vs Almond Cow: Plant-Milk Machines For Nut Milk (Review)
      • Kipli Natural Latex Pillow (Review)
      • 32 Zero Waste Kitchen Products And Essentials
      • 15 Best Zero Waste Deodorant Brands That Work
      • 19 Zero Waste Vitamins & Plastic-Free Supplements (2022)
      • 6 Eco-Friendly Alternatives To Ziploc Bags
      • Toilet Paper Without Plastic Packaging: 19 Plastic-Free Options
      • 17 Best Zero Waste Books In 2022 (2 for FREE)
      • 9 Of The Healthiest Water Bottles In 2022
      • The 8 BEST Compost Bins For An Apartment
      • 10 Low Waste Products to Lower 70% of Your Waste
      • 142 Zero Waste Swaps And Essential Products
      • 46 Zero Waste Online Stores (The Ultimate List)
    • Zero Waste Tips
      • 28 Zero Waste Party Tips (Simple & Affordable)
      • 18 Awesome Apps To Reduce Food Waste, Save Money & The Planet
      • 11 Things I Still Buy In Plastic
      • 7 Easy Ways To Prevent Ocean Plastic Pollution
      • 8 Waste Disposal Problems And 8 Fantastic Solutions
      • 6 Zero Waste Alternatives to Trash Bags
      • 6 Ways To Reduce The Use Of Plastic Bags
      • How To Be Zero Waste When Living With Parents (Or Roommates)?
      • 9 Disadvantages Of Zero Waste (+Solutions)
      • How Can We Encourage People To Produce Less Waste?
      • 6 Easy Ways To Freeze Bread Without Plastic
      • 16 Surprising Benefits Of Going Zero Waste
      • Why Is Palm Oil Bad For The Environment?
    • Zero Waste FAQ’s
      • Are shampoo bars good for your hair?
      • Is Zero Waste REALLY Possible?
      • How Zero Waste Helps The Environment
      • Types Of Biodegradable Plastics
      • What Is Biodegradable Plastic Made Of?
      • Is Silicone Better Than Plastic?
      • Is Silicone Biodegradable Or Recyclable?
      • Can You Compost Pizza Boxes?
      • 4 Dangers Of Reusing Plastic Water Bottles
      • Why Should We Reduce The Use Of Plastic
      • Does Zero Waste Make a Difference?
    • Recycling Tips
      • 24 Things To Do With Plastic Containers (Repurposing Ideas)
      • How To Recycle Paper – The ultimate guide
      • 11 Types Of Paper That Cannot Be Recycled
      • How To Recycle Metal: Step-by-step process
      • Where To Recycle Old Clothes: 20 Textile Recycling Drop Off Locations
      • Can You Recycle Receipts
      • Things That Cannot Be Recycled
    • Zero Waste Guides
      • 7 Zero Waste Shampoo Alternatives
      • 15 Ways To Be More Sustainable In Everyday Life
      • 23 Best Places To Sell Used Clothes For Cash
      • 41 Best Consumable Gifts For Every Budget
      • 58 Zero Waste Gifts That Help The Environment
      • How To Organize A Clothing Swap (Guide + Tips)
      • How To Store Vegetables & Fruits Without Plastic (2022)
      • Greenwashing 101: All You Need To Know (2021)
      • Zero Waste Shaving With Eco-Friendly Razors
      • How To Save Money By Going Zero Waste ($5,337 A Year)
      • 10 Things That Pollute The Earth + Swaps
      • Apartment Composting: 7 Step-by-step guides
    • Ethical Fashion
      • 39 Best Online Thrift Stores
      • 26 Cheap Sustainable Clothing Brands
      • 15 Zero Waste Clothing Brands: Sustainable Fashion
      • What Are The Disadvantages Of Fast Fashion?
      • 29 Unethical Fast Fashion Clothing Brands To Avoid
    • Why Vegan
      • Are There Ethical Arguments for Eating Meat?
      • How To Become Vegan Slowly: A step-by-step beginner’s guide
      • 8 Environmental Benefits Of Reducing Meat Consumption
      • How Are Pigs Killed: The Brutality Of Animal Agriculture
    • Minimalism
      • Project 333: Rules & Template
      • 68 Things To Get Rid Of (Minimalism)
      • How To Become A Minimalist In 30 Days
      • 55 Things I Stopped Buying To Save Money And Waste
      • How To Be Ruthless When Decluttering Clothes: 9 Steps
      • 41 Non-Materialistic Gifts For Any Budget
  • DIY
    • 3-Ingredient Homemade Deodorant Without Coconut Oil
    • Non-Greasy Lotion Bar Recipe (Vegan & Without Beeswax)
    • The BEST Non-Greasy Whipped Body Butter Recipe For Dry Skin
    • DIY Coffee Scrub (Without Coconut Oil)
    • 7 DIY Beauty Products You Can Make At Home
    • How To Make Air Freshener with Essential Oils And Baking Soda
    • Remineralizing Tooth Powder Recipe
    • How to Make Aloe Vera Mouthwash
    • How To Make Dry Shampoo At Home: 3 Ways
    • DIY Deodorant For Smelly Armpits (4 Recipes)
    • 3 DIY Zero Waste Toothpaste Recipes
    • 36 Creative Ideas To Use Glass Jars (with pictures)
  • Zero Waste Recipes
    • Healthy Protein Sweets
      • Healthy Vegan Twix Bars (High-Protein Recipe)
      • Chickpea Cookie Dough Protein Bars (No Bake)
      • Vegan Protein Bounty Bars
      • Orange Chocolate Pea Protein Bars (Recipe)
      • Homemade Protein Bars (Low Calorie, Vegan, No Bake)
      • Healthy Vegan Fudge (5 Ingredients, No-Bake, Low Calorie)
      • Healthy Vegan Pumpkin Protein Muffins
      • Vanilla Protein Powder Muffins (Vegan)
      • Hemp Protein Powder Energy Balls (Vegan)
    • Sweet Snacks
      • Chocolate Chip Cookies In A Jar With Printable Tags (Recipe)
      • Ridiculously Healthy Banana Oatmeal Cookies
      • Cashew Pulp Cookies (Vegan, 4 Ingredients)
      • Old Fashioned Fig Bars Recipe (Vegan)
    • No Bake & Raw Sweets
      • No-Bake Double Chocolate Walnuts Bars
      • 4-Ingredient Date And Peanut Butter Energy Balls
      • Caramel Fudge Without Condensed Milk (Vegan)
      • Peanut Flour Energy Balls Recipe
    • Brownies & Cakes
      • Healthy Marbled Banana Bread (Vegan)
      • Flourless Healthy Pumpkin Brownies (Fudgy & Vegan)
      • Sweet Potato Protein Brownies (Vegan, Gf)
      • Healthy White Bean Blueberry Blondies (Vegan)
      • Fudgy Almond Butter Brownies (Vegan)
      • Vegan Pumpkin Protein Brownies
    • Cheesecake, Tart & Pies
      • Easy Chocolate Orange Tart (Vegan & No Bake)
      • Raw Lemon Cheesecake (Vegan, 9 Ingredients)
      • Easy Vegan Birthday Cake Recipe (No Bake)
      • Peanut Butter Pie From Scratch (Vegan, No Bake)
    • Salty Snacks & Food
      • Vegan Potato Stew (Grandma’s Recipe)
      • Avocado Spread Recipe (Raw, Vegan)
    • What I Eat In A Day (Zero Waste Vegan Recipes)
    • Nut Milk Maker: 3 Easy Ways To Make Plant-Based Milk
  • Zero Waste Swaps
  • About
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Almost Zero Waste
  • Home
  • Articles
    • Zero Waste For Beginners
      • Pros And Cons Of Safety Razors (2022)
      • 6 Best Menstrual Cup For Beginners (2022)
      • Best Menstrual Cup For Heavy Flow (List)
      • How Do I Know If My Menstrual Cup Is In Right
      • How To Remove Menstrual Cup Without Mess
      • I Can Feel My Menstrual Cup: Causes & Prevention
      • 22 Surprising Things That Contain Plastic (+Plastic-Free Alternatives)
      • 26 Environmental Documentaries On Netflix (And Beyond)
      • 90 Zero Waste Tips For Beginners (Impactful & Easy Habits)
      • 11 Ways To Reduce The Use Of Plastic (+Infographic)
      • How To Start A Zero Waste Life? Top 16 essentials
      • 5 Rs Of Zero Waste: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rot
    • Zero Waste Products
      • 21 Best Eco-Friendly Shampoo And Conditioner Bars (Plastic-Free Alternatives)
      • The Most Sustainable Protein Bars: numove (Review)
      • 13 Zero Waste Protein Powder Products
      • 18 Sustainable Snacks With Compostable Packaging
      • 21 Zero Waste Bathroom Swaps & Essentials (And Where To Find Them!)
      • Soyabella vs Almond Cow: Plant-Milk Machines For Nut Milk (Review)
      • Kipli Natural Latex Pillow (Review)
      • 32 Zero Waste Kitchen Products And Essentials
      • 15 Best Zero Waste Deodorant Brands That Work
      • 19 Zero Waste Vitamins & Plastic-Free Supplements (2022)
      • 6 Eco-Friendly Alternatives To Ziploc Bags
      • Toilet Paper Without Plastic Packaging: 19 Plastic-Free Options
      • 17 Best Zero Waste Books In 2022 (2 for FREE)
      • 9 Of The Healthiest Water Bottles In 2022
      • The 8 BEST Compost Bins For An Apartment
      • 10 Low Waste Products to Lower 70% of Your Waste
      • 142 Zero Waste Swaps And Essential Products
      • 46 Zero Waste Online Stores (The Ultimate List)
    • Zero Waste Tips
      • 28 Zero Waste Party Tips (Simple & Affordable)
      • 18 Awesome Apps To Reduce Food Waste, Save Money & The Planet
      • 11 Things I Still Buy In Plastic
      • 7 Easy Ways To Prevent Ocean Plastic Pollution
      • 8 Waste Disposal Problems And 8 Fantastic Solutions
      • 6 Zero Waste Alternatives to Trash Bags
      • 6 Ways To Reduce The Use Of Plastic Bags
      • How To Be Zero Waste When Living With Parents (Or Roommates)?
      • 9 Disadvantages Of Zero Waste (+Solutions)
      • How Can We Encourage People To Produce Less Waste?
      • 6 Easy Ways To Freeze Bread Without Plastic
      • 16 Surprising Benefits Of Going Zero Waste
      • Why Is Palm Oil Bad For The Environment?
    • Zero Waste FAQ’s
      • Are shampoo bars good for your hair?
      • Is Zero Waste REALLY Possible?
      • How Zero Waste Helps The Environment
      • Types Of Biodegradable Plastics
      • What Is Biodegradable Plastic Made Of?
      • Is Silicone Better Than Plastic?
      • Is Silicone Biodegradable Or Recyclable?
      • Can You Compost Pizza Boxes?
      • 4 Dangers Of Reusing Plastic Water Bottles
      • Why Should We Reduce The Use Of Plastic
      • Does Zero Waste Make a Difference?
    • Recycling Tips
      • 24 Things To Do With Plastic Containers (Repurposing Ideas)
      • How To Recycle Paper – The ultimate guide
      • 11 Types Of Paper That Cannot Be Recycled
      • How To Recycle Metal: Step-by-step process
      • Where To Recycle Old Clothes: 20 Textile Recycling Drop Off Locations
      • Can You Recycle Receipts
      • Things That Cannot Be Recycled
    • Zero Waste Guides
      • 7 Zero Waste Shampoo Alternatives
      • 15 Ways To Be More Sustainable In Everyday Life
      • 23 Best Places To Sell Used Clothes For Cash
      • 41 Best Consumable Gifts For Every Budget
      • 58 Zero Waste Gifts That Help The Environment
      • How To Organize A Clothing Swap (Guide + Tips)
      • How To Store Vegetables & Fruits Without Plastic (2022)
      • Greenwashing 101: All You Need To Know (2021)
      • Zero Waste Shaving With Eco-Friendly Razors
      • How To Save Money By Going Zero Waste ($5,337 A Year)
      • 10 Things That Pollute The Earth + Swaps
      • Apartment Composting: 7 Step-by-step guides
    • Ethical Fashion
      • 39 Best Online Thrift Stores
      • 26 Cheap Sustainable Clothing Brands
      • 15 Zero Waste Clothing Brands: Sustainable Fashion
      • What Are The Disadvantages Of Fast Fashion?
      • 29 Unethical Fast Fashion Clothing Brands To Avoid
    • Why Vegan
      • Are There Ethical Arguments for Eating Meat?
      • How To Become Vegan Slowly: A step-by-step beginner’s guide
      • 8 Environmental Benefits Of Reducing Meat Consumption
      • How Are Pigs Killed: The Brutality Of Animal Agriculture
    • Minimalism
      • Project 333: Rules & Template
      • 68 Things To Get Rid Of (Minimalism)
      • How To Become A Minimalist In 30 Days
      • 55 Things I Stopped Buying To Save Money And Waste
      • How To Be Ruthless When Decluttering Clothes: 9 Steps
      • 41 Non-Materialistic Gifts For Any Budget
  • DIY
    • 3-Ingredient Homemade Deodorant Without Coconut Oil
    • Non-Greasy Lotion Bar Recipe (Vegan & Without Beeswax)
    • The BEST Non-Greasy Whipped Body Butter Recipe For Dry Skin
    • DIY Coffee Scrub (Without Coconut Oil)
    • 7 DIY Beauty Products You Can Make At Home
    • How To Make Air Freshener with Essential Oils And Baking Soda
    • Remineralizing Tooth Powder Recipe
    • How to Make Aloe Vera Mouthwash
    • How To Make Dry Shampoo At Home: 3 Ways
    • DIY Deodorant For Smelly Armpits (4 Recipes)
    • 3 DIY Zero Waste Toothpaste Recipes
    • 36 Creative Ideas To Use Glass Jars (with pictures)
  • Zero Waste Recipes
    • Healthy Protein Sweets
      • Healthy Vegan Twix Bars (High-Protein Recipe)
      • Chickpea Cookie Dough Protein Bars (No Bake)
      • Vegan Protein Bounty Bars
      • Orange Chocolate Pea Protein Bars (Recipe)
      • Homemade Protein Bars (Low Calorie, Vegan, No Bake)
      • Healthy Vegan Fudge (5 Ingredients, No-Bake, Low Calorie)
      • Healthy Vegan Pumpkin Protein Muffins
      • Vanilla Protein Powder Muffins (Vegan)
      • Hemp Protein Powder Energy Balls (Vegan)
    • Sweet Snacks
      • Chocolate Chip Cookies In A Jar With Printable Tags (Recipe)
      • Ridiculously Healthy Banana Oatmeal Cookies
      • Cashew Pulp Cookies (Vegan, 4 Ingredients)
      • Old Fashioned Fig Bars Recipe (Vegan)
    • No Bake & Raw Sweets
      • No-Bake Double Chocolate Walnuts Bars
      • 4-Ingredient Date And Peanut Butter Energy Balls
      • Caramel Fudge Without Condensed Milk (Vegan)
      • Peanut Flour Energy Balls Recipe
    • Brownies & Cakes
      • Healthy Marbled Banana Bread (Vegan)
      • Flourless Healthy Pumpkin Brownies (Fudgy & Vegan)
      • Sweet Potato Protein Brownies (Vegan, Gf)
      • Healthy White Bean Blueberry Blondies (Vegan)
      • Fudgy Almond Butter Brownies (Vegan)
      • Vegan Pumpkin Protein Brownies
    • Cheesecake, Tart & Pies
      • Easy Chocolate Orange Tart (Vegan & No Bake)
      • Raw Lemon Cheesecake (Vegan, 9 Ingredients)
      • Easy Vegan Birthday Cake Recipe (No Bake)
      • Peanut Butter Pie From Scratch (Vegan, No Bake)
    • Salty Snacks & Food
      • Vegan Potato Stew (Grandma’s Recipe)
      • Avocado Spread Recipe (Raw, Vegan)
    • What I Eat In A Day (Zero Waste Vegan Recipes)
    • Nut Milk Maker: 3 Easy Ways To Make Plant-Based Milk
  • Zero Waste Swaps
  • About
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Almost Zero Waste
No Result
View All Result

How To Be Ruthless When Decluttering Clothes: 9 Steps

by Merilin Vrachovska
in Articles, Minimalism
0
How To Be Ruthless When Decluttering Clothes: Step-by-step guide - Almost Zero Waste
43
SHARES
Share on PinterestShare on FacebookShare or Reddit

This post and the photos within it may contain affiliate links. If you purchase something through the link, I may receive a commission at no extra charge to you.


How to be ruthless when decluttering clothes? 

The truth is that over the years, we accumulate a bunch of clothes that we don’t wear.

Keeping that type of items is pointless – it only creates visual clutter and frustration.

That’s why now, I will share my exact process of decluttering a wardrobe fast, plus why it is a good idea.

We will go through:

  1. Clothing rules for a great wardrobe
  2. How to be ruthless when decluttering clothes: Step-by-step guide
  3. Final tips
  4. FAQ:
    – How many clothes do I need as a minimalist?
    – How to decide what clothes to keep?
    – What to ask yourself when getting rid of clothes?
    – What are the benefits of decluttering?
  5. Conclusion

Clothing rules for a great wardrobe:

Generally, you probably like most of your clothing items.

But many are a little tight, too loose, overworn with a couple of tiny holes, or just the color/style isn’t your favorite. 

Maybe you think that it’s a minor flaw. Or that you will need this item in the future.

But that day never comes. Believe me – I get it. 

The point of decluttering is to get rid of all of these types of items and to create a great wardrobe.

To build a beautiful and practical wardrobe, follow these set of rules:

  1. Think of your wardrobe as a collection of outfits and not a collection of separate pieces.

    If an item doesn’t fit in at least three outfits, consider ditching it.

  2. Ask yourself if an item sparks a sense of joy or excitement. Do you feel comfortable and good wearing it?

    It is pointless to keep it if it doesn’t spark excitement and joy. If an item is uncomfortable, and you don’t feel good wearing it, it isn’t worth keeping it. 

  3. It is very easy to catch up on things that you just like the look of.

    However, many times such items won’t work well with your style.

    Items where the colors or shapes don’t work well within your style, body, and wardrobe, are better to avoid.

  4. Try not to (always) follow your impulses.

    Always try to think if an item will fit well within your wardrobe.

    Regardless of how well they work on their own, if it can’t be well-combined with other items from your wardrobe, don’t buy it. 

All in all, a great wardrobe should include:

  • practical clothes that spark joy
  • outfits in which you feel comfortable and great 
  • pieces that can create outfits easily 
  • multiple combinations for a range of outfits
How To Be Ruthless When Decluttering Clothes: Step-by-step guide - Almost Zero Waste

How to be ruthless when decluttering clothes: Step-by-step guide

1. Count your clothes & set a limit

Counting all of your items will give you a good perspective of the amount of clothing you have.

Then you can pick a goal number that’s lower than the current one.

The number will be specific to you, your lifestyle, preferences, and laundry routine. 

While setting a limit isn’t a must, it will help you be more ruthless when decluttering and motivate you to try to reach your goal. 

For example, I counted all of my clothes (including shoes, jackets, swimsuits, pajamas, and bras), and I ended up with about 85 items. 

Then, I decided that my goal number will be half of this, so around 40 – 43 items.

(ignore the goal written on the page below, I was a bit too ambitious 😀 )

How To Be Ruthless When Decluttering Clothes: Step-by-step guide - Almost Zero Waste

2. Take everything out of your wardrobe

Spread all the clothes to your bed or a couch. Take everything – forgotten clothes from suitcases, boxes, or bags.

Try to find everything you own, and gather all the items in one place. 

It can be pretty interesting and an eye-opening experience to see all of your clothing together at once. 

How To Be Ruthless When Decluttering Clothes: Step-by-step guide - Almost Zero Waste

3. Divide into categories

This is ideal if you have plenty of stuff.

To avoid confusion, divide the clothes into categories.

For example, you can divide the pieces into:

  • T-shirts and tanks tops
  • Shirts with long sleeve
  • Blouses, sweaters, cardigans
  • Dresses and skirts
  • Workout clothing 
  • Bottoms: jeans, pants, etc. 
  • Pajamas 
  • Swimwear 
  • Outerwear & jackets
  • Shoes 
  • Accessories: hats, scarves, purses, etc.
How To Be Ruthless When Decluttering Clothes: Step-by-step guide - Almost Zero Waste

4. Try them out & take pictures

Get an up-to-date vision of whether you feel good in that piece of clothing, and try out the items. 

Make sure you have a mirror, or even better – take pictures of videos to see how the items fit. 

This will give you a different perspective of how the item looks on you, and you will know if you want to keep it or not.

5. Create 4 piles

While trying the items, create 4 piles.

After you try an item, decide in which one you want to put it: 

  1. Keep – The items that you love to wear often and feel great in. 
  2. The maybes – The items you don’t love and don’t hate. You aren’t sure what to do with them (more about this category later).
  3. Get rid of – The items that you for sure want to get rid of and (possibly) aren’t in good condition.
  4. Donation/sell pile – Things you want to get rid of but are in good shape. It can be items that don’t fit you anymore, aren’t your style, etc.

6. Ruthless tips for the “get rid of” pile 

When you declutter your wardrobe, be ruthless and get rid of clothes that:

  • Don’t fit your CURRENT lifestyle/style. 
  • You don’t feel good wearing them. 
  • Stained clothes, ripped, torn, or worn out. 
  • You are keeping it for sentimental reasons, but don’t wear it. This includes prom or wedding dresses, gifts, etc. 
  • Clothes you didn’t wear in the past 6 – 12 months (or even worse – never). 
  • Duplicates – you have multiple items that are very similar.
  • Get rid of anything you try on often but never wear. There is clearly something about the item that isn’t working for you, if you always try it, but never wear it. 
How To Be Ruthless When Decluttering Clothes: Step-by-step guide - Almost Zero Waste

7. Ruthless tips for “the maybes” pile

Once you go through everything and you see that the “the maybes” pile is getting too big, ask yourself:

  • How versatile is the item? – Get rid of it if you can’t combine it with other pieces, and you can’t create at least three outfits with it.
  • Is it comfortable? – Get rid of it if it’s uncomfortable, too tight, or too baggy.
  • When was the last time you wore it? – If the last time you used, it was months ago (or even longer), it is unlikely you will get a lot of use from it in the future. 
  • Are there two or more similar items? – If you already have an identical clothing piece, keep the one you are often wearing and you like — ditch other similar items. 

If you are still not sure, create a “Maybe box.” A maybe box is excellent because you will place all the items that you’re not sure if you should keep or not. 

Put it away, and keep the box for a couple of months (3-4 at most). During this period, take an item from there if you need and want to wear it. 

In the end, the box will contain the clothing items that you didn’t take out. It is safe to assume that you should get rid of these items, knowing you’ll be fine without them.  

To avoid forgetting about the box, you can set a reminder on your phone. 

How To Be Ruthless When Decluttering Clothes: Step-by-step guide - Almost Zero Waste

8. Organize your wardrobe 

After you are done with decluttering, you should organize your wardrobe with the things you love and wear.

It will be much easier to organize it, as you will have fewer things. 

How many clothes I got rid of?

I got rid of – 36 items in total.

That means I currently have 49 items. I almost hit my goal number (it was between 40 – 43). 

While I didn’t reach 100% my goal, I’m extremely satisfied, and happy with my progress!

I will definitely repeat and declutter in a couple of months, once we start entering into the next season. 🙂

I’m sure that next time it will be even more ruthless, and I will reach my goal.

How To Be Ruthless When Decluttering Clothes: Step-by-step guide - Almost Zero Waste
All of the clothes I got rid of.
How To Be Ruthless When Decluttering Clothes: Step-by-step guide - Almost Zero Waste
(36 items in total)

9. Maintain your downsized wardrobe

Now that you have downsized your wardrobe and decluttered your clothes, there are a couple of things you can do to keep it that way.

Re-evaluate your wardrobe frequently:

Pay attention to what you’re wearing and what’s not being worn. If you find that you still don’t wear some items, consider getting rid of them. 

A good tip is to keep a tote bag in your closet to make it easier to remove items you want to get rid of. Once the bag is full – donate or sell the items.

How To Be Ruthless When Decluttering Clothes: Step-by-step guide - Almost Zero Waste

BEFORE BUYING NEW CLOTHES

Think about what you need in advance:

When it comes to getting new items, going to a store and buying something without planning isn’t the best idea.

You might get a cute and trendy item that doesn’t fit your wardrobe or style.

That’s why after you declutter your wardrobe, you can see if there are some gaps and if you need specific items.

When you find these gaps in your closet, WRITE them down. 

The next time you buy clothes, you’ll know what you are missing, and exactly what you need. 

Plus, writing down the things you need will prevent you from getting things you already have or items that don’t work well with your clothes. 

Quick tip:

Whenever you need something, try to find it from a second-hand store.

Second-hand shopping is way more sustainable, and it is good for your pocket, too.

Related article: 39 Thrift Shops For Second Hand Clothes 

Don’t ACT immediately on impulses:

If you see something pretty, don’t buy it immediately.

Give it a couple of days, and see if it will fit in your wardrobe and if you don’t have a similar item already.

Make outfits:

An excellent way to see what’s missing in your wardrobe is to make a couple of outfits.

This will help you see if there are missing pieces in your closet and if you need to fill it up with specific items. 

How To Be Ruthless When Decluttering Clothes: Step-by-step guide - Almost Zero Waste
How To Be Ruthless When Decluttering Clothes: Step-by-step guide - Almost Zero Waste

Final tips 

Take a whole day off

Pick a day on the weekend that you don’t have essential things to do, as it may take a couple of hours (if not the whole day!).

Sell some of the items

You can try to sell items that are in excellent condition.

Choose some of these websites for selling clothes online, or try to sell things to people in your local community. 

It is best to try to resell things and extend the life of clothing pieces, as it is estimated that only 1% of our clothing is ultimately recycled into new garments because of its complexity. 

So, giving an item a second life by selling it to somebody else, it’s the best you can do.

Gift or swap items

You can also give items to your friends and family.

Ultimately you can organize a clothing swap event, where you can exchange items with others. 

Find exactly how to organize a clothing swap event at home (or in a coffee shop), with many cool tips and ideas.

Recycle and upcycle

There are many creative ways to upcycle old clothing and extend their life.

You can turn a t-shirt into a produce bag, into cleaning cloths and rags, etc.

Donate the rest

Find a charity or a local organization that will be happy to accept your items.

Just make sure you are donating clothes that are in good condition and are still usable. 

Don’t feel guilty

Don’t keep stuff, just because it was a gift, it was expensive, or “should be something you keep”, etc.

Try to be as ruthless as possible when you declutter your clothes. 

Even though it can be challenging, you shouldn’t feel guilty at all.

After all, you are doing it to feel better, reduce the clutter and get rid of things that no longer serve you.

Analyze the items you are giving away

Find out what are the similarities of these items. This will help you to avoid buying similar things in the future.

Find if the clothing you discard is:

  • Trendy items
  • Specific colors you don’t enjoy anymore
  • Specific designs that you don’t wear regularly or you need very rarely
How To Be Ruthless When Decluttering Clothes: Step-by-step guide - Almost Zero Waste

Declutter between seasons

The transition between seasons is the best time to declutter. 

You understand what worked for you the last season and how you want to feel in the current season or the one that’s coming. 

Plus, you can see if you are missing something for the upcoming season and get it. 

Decluttering isn’t final

Even if you don’t reach your “goal” of items, don’t worry.

Decluttering isn’t something you do once – you can always repeat it in a couple of months. 

In that way, you can see which items are left out, and you always find a reason not to wear.

Then, you can get rid of them.

If you want to be ruthless, declutter your wardrobe again (and soon).

Maybe after the next season comes, so in a couple of months.

Each time you declutter, you will be able to let go of a bit more. 

One in one out rule

To maintain a manageable wardrobe, you can establish a “one in, one out” policy.

This means that you need to let go of an existing item each time you bring a new item to your wardrobe. 

How To Be Ruthless When Decluttering Clothes: Step-by-step guide - Almost Zero Waste

FAQ:

How many clothes do I need as a minimalist? 

As many as you wear regularly, there isn’t a specific number you should aim for. 

The problem is not if you have more clothes but too many that you don’t wear and WRONG ones for your current lifestyle. The number will be specific to you, your lifestyle, your preferences, etc. 

How often you can wash your clothes is one of the most significant factors in deciding how many items you need. 

If you do laundry once a week, that means you will need enough clothing to last seven days, so about a week’s worth of clothing (for hot weather or/and cold weather – depending on your climate).

The next big factor is how often you wear something.

For example, you can wear jeans multiple times before washing. But if you wear a new t-shirt every day of the week, that’s 7 t-shirts. 

Again, always consider your lifestyle needs and personal preferences. 

 How to decide what clothes to keep? 

If you love an item, you wear it regularly, it fits you well, you feel good in it, it is in good condition, and it fits your current lifestyle  – definitely keep it.

Simple as that!

What to ask yourself when getting rid of clothes?

Always ask yourself:

  • Does the item fit? 
  • How versatile is the item? 
  • Is it comfortable?  
  • When was the last time you wore it? 
  • Do you own one or more similar items? 
  • Do you genuinely love it?

Get rid of it if you can’t combine it with other pieces, if it’s uncomfortable, or too tight, or too baggy, if you don’t wear it regularly, or you already have a similar clothing piece. 

What are the benefits of decluttering?

A few of the incredible benefits of decluttering your wardrobe ruthlessly is:

  • More mindful purchases – getting rid of what you didn’t use, need, or like, can help you make more conscious purchases, and you will know what works for you and what doesn’t.
  • Getting dressed fast & easy – Owning less stuff will help you own only clothes you love. 
  • More confidence – Because the clothes you will own will make you feel good in and look good in.
  • Save money & time – You won’t mindlessly go shopping for random stuff anymore, and you will stop buying clothes you don’t need or don’t work for you. 
  • Easier to keep your closet tidy and organized – And you will be able to quickly find items, and create various outfits.
  •  
  • Fewer laundry days 
How To Be Ruthless When Decluttering Clothes: Step-by-step guide - Almost Zero Waste

Conclusion

Decluttering your wardrobe can be challenging. 

Maybe you have an emotional connection with a particular item.

Or you changed your lifestyle and style, but you keep your old goodies.

Or perhaps you keep other pieces for “what if I need this” in the future.

But times go by, and these items just take space in your wardrobe, being unused, and creating visual clutter.

The truth is that once you declutter your wardrobe, you will see how incredibly rewarding and great it is.

And you will be glad that you did it. 🙂 

I hope this step-by-step guide for ruthless decluttering was helpful, and it inspired you to try it out! 

Let me know in the comment section if I missed something or if you want to add any additional tips.

How To Be Ruthless When Decluttering Clothes: Step-by-step guide - Almost Zero Waste
Pin36Share3Share
Previous Post

24 Things To Do With Plastic Containers (Repurposing Ideas)

Next Post

Fudgy Almond Butter Brownies (Vegan)

Merilin Vrachovska

Merilin Vrachovska

I'm Meri, and my goal is to share my experiences and knowledge on how anyone can live more sustainably. I share tips, guides, and different ways of becoming *almost* zero waste! You can find other topics, such as how to recycle different materials, how to make your own products, where to find fantastic zero waste goods, etc. For more information, check the About page!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

About me

Almost Zero Waste

Hi there! My name is Meri and I'm behind Almost Zero Waste - a platform, where you can find how to live sustainably, where to find plastic-free goods, eco-friendly guides, and much more. To learn more, check my "About" page!

Popular Articles

  • Why Should We Reduce The Use Of Plastic - Almost Zero Waste

    Why Should We Reduce The Use Of Plastic

    788 shares
    Share 236 Tweet 148
  • 9 Of The Healthiest Water Bottles In 2022

    603 shares
    Share 217 Tweet 136
  • 39 Thrift Shops For Second Hand Clothes Online

    2436 shares
    Share 214 Tweet 134
  • 142 Zero Waste Swaps And Essential Products

    8943 shares
    Share 186 Tweet 116
  • The BEST Non-Greasy Whipped Body Butter Recipe For Dry Skin

    341 shares
    Share 114 Tweet 72
  • Home
  • Zero Waste Swaps
  • Zero Waste Guides
  • Zero Waste Living Tips
  • DIY
  • Zero Waste FAQ’s
  • Zero Waste Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy

© 2019 Almost Zero Waste is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Articles
    • Zero Waste For Beginners
      • Pros And Cons Of Safety Razors (2022)
      • 6 Best Menstrual Cup For Beginners (2022)
      • Best Menstrual Cup For Heavy Flow (List)
      • How Do I Know If My Menstrual Cup Is In Right
      • How To Remove Menstrual Cup Without Mess
      • I Can Feel My Menstrual Cup: Causes & Prevention
      • 22 Surprising Things That Contain Plastic (+Plastic-Free Alternatives)
      • 26 Environmental Documentaries On Netflix (And Beyond)
      • 90 Zero Waste Tips For Beginners (Impactful & Easy Habits)
      • 11 Ways To Reduce The Use Of Plastic (+Infographic)
      • How To Start A Zero Waste Life? Top 16 essentials
      • 5 Rs Of Zero Waste: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rot
    • Zero Waste Products
      • 21 Best Eco-Friendly Shampoo And Conditioner Bars (Plastic-Free Alternatives)
      • The Most Sustainable Protein Bars: numove (Review)
      • 13 Zero Waste Protein Powder Products
      • 18 Sustainable Snacks With Compostable Packaging
      • 21 Zero Waste Bathroom Swaps & Essentials (And Where To Find Them!)
      • Soyabella vs Almond Cow: Plant-Milk Machines For Nut Milk (Review)
      • Kipli Natural Latex Pillow (Review)
      • 32 Zero Waste Kitchen Products And Essentials
      • 15 Best Zero Waste Deodorant Brands That Work
      • 19 Zero Waste Vitamins & Plastic-Free Supplements (2022)
      • 6 Eco-Friendly Alternatives To Ziploc Bags
      • Toilet Paper Without Plastic Packaging: 19 Plastic-Free Options
      • 17 Best Zero Waste Books In 2022 (2 for FREE)
      • 9 Of The Healthiest Water Bottles In 2022
      • The 8 BEST Compost Bins For An Apartment
      • 10 Low Waste Products to Lower 70% of Your Waste
      • 142 Zero Waste Swaps And Essential Products
      • 46 Zero Waste Online Stores (The Ultimate List)
    • Zero Waste Tips
      • 28 Zero Waste Party Tips (Simple & Affordable)
      • 18 Awesome Apps To Reduce Food Waste, Save Money & The Planet
      • 11 Things I Still Buy In Plastic
      • 7 Easy Ways To Prevent Ocean Plastic Pollution
      • 8 Waste Disposal Problems And 8 Fantastic Solutions
      • 6 Zero Waste Alternatives to Trash Bags
      • 6 Ways To Reduce The Use Of Plastic Bags
      • How To Be Zero Waste When Living With Parents (Or Roommates)?
      • 9 Disadvantages Of Zero Waste (+Solutions)
      • How Can We Encourage People To Produce Less Waste?
      • 6 Easy Ways To Freeze Bread Without Plastic
      • 16 Surprising Benefits Of Going Zero Waste
      • Why Is Palm Oil Bad For The Environment?
    • Zero Waste FAQ’s
      • Are shampoo bars good for your hair?
      • Is Zero Waste REALLY Possible?
      • How Zero Waste Helps The Environment
      • Types Of Biodegradable Plastics
      • What Is Biodegradable Plastic Made Of?
      • Is Silicone Better Than Plastic?
      • Is Silicone Biodegradable Or Recyclable?
      • Can You Compost Pizza Boxes?
      • 4 Dangers Of Reusing Plastic Water Bottles
      • Why Should We Reduce The Use Of Plastic
      • Does Zero Waste Make a Difference?
    • Recycling Tips
      • 24 Things To Do With Plastic Containers (Repurposing Ideas)
      • How To Recycle Paper – The ultimate guide
      • 11 Types Of Paper That Cannot Be Recycled
      • How To Recycle Metal: Step-by-step process
      • Where To Recycle Old Clothes: 20 Textile Recycling Drop Off Locations
      • Can You Recycle Receipts
      • Things That Cannot Be Recycled
    • Zero Waste Guides
      • 7 Zero Waste Shampoo Alternatives
      • 15 Ways To Be More Sustainable In Everyday Life
      • 23 Best Places To Sell Used Clothes For Cash
      • 41 Best Consumable Gifts For Every Budget
      • 58 Zero Waste Gifts That Help The Environment
      • How To Organize A Clothing Swap (Guide + Tips)
      • How To Store Vegetables & Fruits Without Plastic (2022)
      • Greenwashing 101: All You Need To Know (2021)
      • Zero Waste Shaving With Eco-Friendly Razors
      • How To Save Money By Going Zero Waste ($5,337 A Year)
      • 10 Things That Pollute The Earth + Swaps
      • Apartment Composting: 7 Step-by-step guides
    • Ethical Fashion
      • 39 Best Online Thrift Stores
      • 26 Cheap Sustainable Clothing Brands
      • 15 Zero Waste Clothing Brands: Sustainable Fashion
      • What Are The Disadvantages Of Fast Fashion?
      • 29 Unethical Fast Fashion Clothing Brands To Avoid
    • Why Vegan
      • Are There Ethical Arguments for Eating Meat?
      • How To Become Vegan Slowly: A step-by-step beginner’s guide
      • 8 Environmental Benefits Of Reducing Meat Consumption
      • How Are Pigs Killed: The Brutality Of Animal Agriculture
    • Minimalism
      • Project 333: Rules & Template
      • 68 Things To Get Rid Of (Minimalism)
      • How To Become A Minimalist In 30 Days
      • 55 Things I Stopped Buying To Save Money And Waste
      • How To Be Ruthless When Decluttering Clothes: 9 Steps
      • 41 Non-Materialistic Gifts For Any Budget
  • DIY
    • 3-Ingredient Homemade Deodorant Without Coconut Oil
    • Non-Greasy Lotion Bar Recipe (Vegan & Without Beeswax)
    • The BEST Non-Greasy Whipped Body Butter Recipe For Dry Skin
    • DIY Coffee Scrub (Without Coconut Oil)
    • 7 DIY Beauty Products You Can Make At Home
    • How To Make Air Freshener with Essential Oils And Baking Soda
    • Remineralizing Tooth Powder Recipe
    • How to Make Aloe Vera Mouthwash
    • How To Make Dry Shampoo At Home: 3 Ways
    • DIY Deodorant For Smelly Armpits (4 Recipes)
    • 3 DIY Zero Waste Toothpaste Recipes
    • 36 Creative Ideas To Use Glass Jars (with pictures)
  • Zero Waste Recipes
    • Healthy Protein Sweets
      • Healthy Vegan Twix Bars (High-Protein Recipe)
      • Chickpea Cookie Dough Protein Bars (No Bake)
      • Vegan Protein Bounty Bars
      • Orange Chocolate Pea Protein Bars (Recipe)
      • Homemade Protein Bars (Low Calorie, Vegan, No Bake)
      • Healthy Vegan Fudge (5 Ingredients, No-Bake, Low Calorie)
      • Healthy Vegan Pumpkin Protein Muffins
      • Vanilla Protein Powder Muffins (Vegan)
      • Hemp Protein Powder Energy Balls (Vegan)
    • Sweet Snacks
      • Chocolate Chip Cookies In A Jar With Printable Tags (Recipe)
      • Ridiculously Healthy Banana Oatmeal Cookies
      • Cashew Pulp Cookies (Vegan, 4 Ingredients)
      • Old Fashioned Fig Bars Recipe (Vegan)
    • No Bake & Raw Sweets
      • No-Bake Double Chocolate Walnuts Bars
      • 4-Ingredient Date And Peanut Butter Energy Balls
      • Caramel Fudge Without Condensed Milk (Vegan)
      • Peanut Flour Energy Balls Recipe
    • Brownies & Cakes
      • Healthy Marbled Banana Bread (Vegan)
      • Flourless Healthy Pumpkin Brownies (Fudgy & Vegan)
      • Sweet Potato Protein Brownies (Vegan, Gf)
      • Healthy White Bean Blueberry Blondies (Vegan)
      • Fudgy Almond Butter Brownies (Vegan)
      • Vegan Pumpkin Protein Brownies
    • Cheesecake, Tart & Pies
      • Easy Chocolate Orange Tart (Vegan & No Bake)
      • Raw Lemon Cheesecake (Vegan, 9 Ingredients)
      • Easy Vegan Birthday Cake Recipe (No Bake)
      • Peanut Butter Pie From Scratch (Vegan, No Bake)
    • Salty Snacks & Food
      • Vegan Potato Stew (Grandma’s Recipe)
      • Avocado Spread Recipe (Raw, Vegan)
    • What I Eat In A Day (Zero Waste Vegan Recipes)
    • Nut Milk Maker: 3 Easy Ways To Make Plant-Based Milk
  • Zero Waste Swaps
  • About
  • Contact