10 Simple Steps to Declutter Your Clothing Using the KonMari Method

Follow these ten simple steps for a refreshed, clutter-free wardrobe that will leave you feeling lighter.

I’ll be honest, decluttering my clothing was one of those tasks I kept putting off because I knew it would take some time and effort. But once I started using the KonMari Method, I realized how much easier it was to get dressed when my closet wasn’t overflowing with things I rarely wore. There’s something freeing about letting go of the clothes that no longer serve you and making room for the ones you genuinely love. If your closet could use a little breathing room, let’s tackle it together!

How to Declutter Your Clothing Using the KonMari Method

1. Take It All Out

First and foremost, take everything out of your closet and throw it in a pile on your bed or bedroom floor.  Yup, everything. Seeing it all together helps you understand just how much clothing you own.

Take a moment to look at your empty closet. How does it feel? Think of your closet as precious, and honor your space by only putting things back that will bring you joy!

2. Gather the Rest of Your Clothing

Go around your home and gather all your other clothing, including the following:

• out-of-season clothing
• coats/outerwear
• clothing in drawers
• underwear, socks, bras
• costumes
• uniforms
• scarves
• pajamas, activewear, loungewear

Do this separately for EACH family member. Breaking it down that way made it much easier to handle the huge amount of clothing plus think about sizes, outgrown clothing, what they needed, etc.

The free printable KonMari checklist will help you with this, download it here!

3. Go through the Pile

It is huge! It is bringing you DOWN! How much of that do you actually wear?! Hold up each piece. Do you currently wear and love it? Ask yourself, does it bring you joy?

While doing this, any piece of clothing where you think ‘yes, I love it!’ goes into a KEEP pile. Anything that you hesitate about or are unsure about goes into a MAYBE pile. The obvious no’s will go into a LET GO pile to either consign or donate. Truly aim to get rid of half your clothes. I mean it!

TIP: Don’t hold onto something because you once loved it or it used to fit your lifestyle. Work in the here and now- what do you love NOW? What works for you NOW?

Be brutal with your socks, underwear, and bras. They do have a shelf life, you know. You’re not doing yourself any favors by keeping ones that are stretched out, holey or frumpy. Use this as an excuse to treat yourself to ones that make you look (and feel) amazing!

4. Try Everything on in Your “Maybe” Pile

What’s your very first thought when you see yourself in the mirror? Instead of asking ‘how does this make me LOOK?’ it’s easier to ask yourself ‘how does this make me FEEL?’

5. Finalize Your Clothing Choices

Your favorites should be back in your closet and your ‘nopes’ ready to go out the door. OF THE CLOTHES YOU ARE KEEPING, STORE ALL YOUR CLOTHING TOGETHER– don’t store off-season clothing in another area! You may need an outer layer in the summer or a fun tank in the winter for going out. Hiding your off-season clothing puts it out of mind and makes it easier to hoard. Trust me, you will love having your entire wardrobe in one spot. Don’t get too caught up in organizing it yet, we just want to declutter your clothing and accessories.

Here’s a hot tip: go back into your closet and see if anything jumps out as odd to you. Anything not match the others? Often, this is a piece that you don’t really love but kept out of obligation. If that’s the case, get rid of it!

TIP: As you put items back, get rid of any old wire hangers and replace them with slimline hangers which both look better and are better for your clothes. Here’s my favorite type of hangers for our bedroom closets, and my favorite wooden hangers for the coat closet. Recycle the old ones at your local drycleaners. You’re going to love how great your closets feel when refreshed this way!

6. Go through Your Handbags

Now do this with your handbags, totes, & clutches. Remember, what do you REALLY love? Which ones bring you JOY? Keep those.

Get rid of handbags you no longer use. You can make a little money by selling them (local Yard Sale groups on Facebook, consignment stores, online resale shops like Mercari or Poshmark) and put that towards one you really love.

If you’re looking for a way to organize the purses you keep, I love these clear acrylic dividers. You can attach them to the top shelf of your closet to keep your purses upright, separated and easily visible for grabbing. I keep a a small step stool in my closet to easily reach them.

7. Walking Away from Shoe Clutter

Are you ready? Now it’s time to tackle your shoes. Be brutal. As you hold up each pair, ask yourself:

• Do you still wear them?
• Do they fit? Do they feel good?
• Do they work with your (newly decluttered) wardrobe?
• Are they in great condition?
• Are they in style?

8. The Joy of Jewels (That You Actually Wear)

This one is tough, because pieces are often sentimental or you think, ‘I might wear this one day’. It took me 3 tries to finally get down to the nitty gritty with my jewelry. I decided to keep only the jewelry I actually wear right now and a few sentimental pieces. Goodbye, necklaces from when I was teaching! Adios, ring from an ex-boyfriend! Buy-bye my 5 statement necklaces from 2009 that are way behind the times! Hello, gorgeous favorites.

9. Discard Your Unwanted Clothing and Accessories

Do not pass go. Do not collect $200 (okay, you can collect $200 if you consign them!) Get those discards out the door! Here’s how I handled mine:

• Upscale clothing, accessories & handbags: consigned at Clothes Mentor (made over $125!)
• Regular clothing, accessories & handbags: sold at a yard sale and made a fortune— people love name brands!
• Kids clothing: handed down to friends or sold at a local kids’ consignment sale
• Bras: donated at my local Soma store (they collect used bras and refurbish them for women in need)
• Everything else: donated! (I actually donated most of my clothing, it’s so much easier than trying to sell it!)

Marie Kondo encourages people to thank items for their service before letting them go. This can be especially helpful when dealing with clothing tied to memories, past seasons of life, or purchases you regret.

10. Enjoy the fruit of your labor

Take a moment to appreciate your hard work and enjoy your refreshed, clutter-free wardrobe. Getting dressed should feel easier when your closet is filled with clothes you love and actually wear. Give yourself a pat on the back because you did it!