Eliminate Unused Clothing as Cool Weather Sets in

No matter where you live in the U.S., chances are you’ll be swapping shorts and T-shirts for flannels, sweaters and jackets this month. That makes fall the best time to sort through your old clothing and eliminate anything that you haven’t worn for the last few seasons to streamline your closets and drawers. Turn the ones that can’t be repurposed into rages and contact ClothingDonations.org to make a donation. We’ll send a truck out to your location on the day you designate for a free, contactless #donation pickup — and get those extra items out of your way for good. #CoolWeatherProjects

Keep Your Fall Fashions Clutter-Free

Saturated colors, logos and head-to-toe cable knits made a big splash on fashion’s runways this fall. But for those among us who aren’t ready to drop thousands of dollars on a single outfit, there’s another concern: how to refresh one’s wardrobe and look good for the fall season without creating more #clutter?

You may get the urge to shop as fall begins, and there’s nothing wrong with that. The temperatures are falling, and you might need new flannels, sweaters, jackets and other cool-weather clothing to wear, even if you’re working from home during the #pandemic. Specific items may need replacing after shrinking or wearing out.

As you shop, however, be mindful of the fact that every new item you buy will need to find a place in your closet or dresser. Ask yourself: Is this purchase truly necessary? Will it fuel a Marie Kondo-style sense of joy? Will I use that garment often enough to merit a spot in my limited space?

If the answer to each of these questions is yes, consider the storage space you have and what’s already in it. If you have are happy with your clothing storage and want to add a few new items to the mix, eliminate one item that you no longer use or just couldn’t work into the routine for each new item you buy.

If — as is more commonly the case — your closet and drawers are stuffed with things that you no longer like, no longer fit into or no longer use, #purge those unwanted items when you start shopping. Keep only a few essentials that you love, says Minimalism Made Simple, and your closet and mind will quickly become less #cluttered.

If you don’t have time for a complete purge, consider getting rid of two or three items for every new item you buy. That way, the overall numbers of garments owned will steadily decrease until your closet contains only successful new purchases and other items you cherish and love to wear.

As for the #stuff that doesn’t make the cut, bag up any garments that are in good enough shape to be worn again and contact ClothingDonations.org for a #donation pickup. You’ll feel good knowing that you look great and have an #uncluttered, #organized closet space while at the same time helping #veterans. That’s the way to kick off the fall season!

Don’t Let Sports Season Derail Your Home’s Organization!

Now that it’s mid-September, the dust is finally settling as the new school year is well underway. Students are getting into the routine of waking up early, absorbing knowledge at school and then returning home to finish homework. For many students, though, the routine may be interrupted by the start of something else: sports season.

This means that parents’ routines are changed too, as they spend time at work and then run home to schlepp their kids to practices and games. With all this running around, it’s easy to let home care and organization fall by the wayside. Before you know it, football cleats and cross-country jerseys are being left around the house, cluttering the very home you spent the spring and summer organizing.

But, just because your kids are out trying to win a game or a race, doesn’t mean your home organization has to lose! Having some rules in place before the start of any sports season will help keep your home neat and clutter-free.

A good idea is to have a designated laundry basket, just for your children’s jerseys, uniforms and practice clothing. Make sure after every practice they put those sweaty (and probably smelly!) clothes right in the basket. This way, they won’t be left to stink up bedrooms, and their clothes will be washed and ready when they need them next.

Another idea is to have a checklist of items you want your child to take care of. Being busy with school and sports doesn’t mean they don’t have to help out around the home. Dividing the chores will make everyone’s life easier, and it’ll keep you from getting stressed out!

Also, at the beginning of each season, have your kids try on the previous season’s athletic wear and equipment. If they’ve outgrown gym shorts, sweatshirts or cleats, contact ClothingDonations.org! Place the clothing or equipment that’s too small or too short (such as hockey sticks, golf clubs or youth basketballs) in a bag marked “for donation, ” and fill out our online pickup form. We’ll come and pick up your donation, so you don’t have to make an additional trip when hurrying off to the next practice. It’s a win for everyone!