Spring Clean Sweep: Noodle's Closet Cleanout

Want to visit crazy town? First stop, my house?

I clean out my kids’ closets almost weekly. If I have a few spare minutes I’ll go through a shelf or section and weed outgrown clothing or dust a shelf or clean out a bin.

SO WHY DID MY SPRING CLEANING OF NOODLE’S CLOSET END UP WITH A PILE OF THIS?

And that’s just the beginning. There was more that didn’t make the photo.

I spy… a wreath, clothes, baby wipes tubs, boxes, a bag of hangers, and a Tucker Sling*. Just to name a few.

See what happens when you take everything out and sort it? Somehow you unearth things you wouldn’t have found, or maybe you get extra motivated to get rid of stuff. Whatever the reason, we went from these “BEFORE” photos:

{Yes I know that doll looks creepy. It’s amazing I didn’t notice it before I took the photos. She’s been moved. No wonder Noodle has trouble sleeping.}

to these “AFTER” pictures:

Ahhhhhh, better, right?

First I weeded out the extra hangers. I’ll save them to use for a consignment sale in the future.

These hangers were only a few dollars, well worth the “investment” to keep the closets looking neat and organized.

Check out this stack of FOURTEEN plastic baby wipes boxes. I couldn’t resist buying them on sale, but had terrible eco-guilt for not buying in bulk. I had all intentions of using these tubs with the kids to build forts or repurpose into crayon boxes, but enough was enough. I listed them on Freecycle, and amazingly had several people who wanted them! Good to know for alleviating future eco-guilt.

Since I’m showing all the skeletons in my closet(s), I might as well show you my other secret: cardboard box hoarding. Here are some of the empty boxes I dug out of the closet.

In place of the baby wipes tubs, I hung Command hooks. I wanted silver but they were expensive, over $5 each. Instead I bought white ones and spray painted them silver. Perfect for hanging tulip baskets or whatever else we found…

I had to use the dreaded flash in this photo. So sorry!

The gray Rubbermaid bin on the closet floor holds extra clothes. I went through and made three piles of clothes: those that fit Noodle now (hanging across the hamper), will not fit anymore (the pile with the pink/navy dress), and summer clothes (next to the hamper).

Glad I cleaned it out, because for the first time in her life I discovered Noodle might actually be lacking in the clothing department this summer! Years of very slow growth, grandmothers that like to shop, fabulous hand-me-downs, and gifts from friends have meant I rarely need to buy her clothes. Looks like mama needs to go on a shopping trip {or two}. Consignment season is upon us, so I did an inventory to bring with me to the sales so I don’t go overboard:

{I just wanted to add that Noodle’s reflux is so bad she often has a daily clothing and/or pajama change. So take what a normal child would need and multiply it by two}.

When I added her outgrown clothes together it filled a bag.

Bee outgrows stuff so quickly I’m pulling a bag like this out of his closet each month. Noodle grows so slowly this bag is a celebration!

Another clue we are dealing with reflux– gotta keep these products close by!

Cleaning out the medical supplies bin was cathertic. I found feeding supplies from back when Noodle had to be fed on a pump. Goodbye, NG tubes! I have to say, it’s really handy having these bins in her closet. Everything we need is right there, no need to go digging.

Now there’s room for Noodle to play in there. A very tired Noodle.

Again, the BEFORE

and AFTER.

Bring. On. Summer!

Next up: Baby Bee’s room. Thankfully 9 months isn’t long enough to acquire too much clutter…

* a Tucker Sling is for reflux babies. We used it only once and it cost $150 out of pocket. If you know a family that could use it, please let me know! For a small donation to Team Abby, it’s yours.

Looking for eco-friendly cleaning ingredients for the home?

Click the image below to get a free ebook for cleaning your home with vinegar: