Got 20 minutes? That’s all you need to transform your cluttered closets! Whip that linen closet into shape, make space in the hallway, and take control of all those old clothes.
It wouldn’t be a challenge without a time limit, so set a stopwatch for 20 minutes. Grab two bags -- one for trash and one for charity -- and then get started.
Go through your closets shelf by shelf tossing trash, collecting items for charity, and neatly putting back only what you use or love. Don’t make the novice mistake of taking everything out of your closet -- you’ll make a mess that’s too big to clean up within the time limit.
Wondering what to keep and what to toss? We can probably agree that if you don’t own a twin mattress, then you don’t need three twin sheet sets…but the local animal shelter could certainly use them for pet beds. Let go of the jeans that fit two sizes ago; you’ll get a new favorite pair that won’t require lying down to zip. And that bridesmaid dress from your sister’s wedding three years ago? The Glass Slipper Project can find it a good home.
Stay focused -- the stopwatch will sound any minute, so you don’t have time to move things to another room, check your email, or watch TV. While you may not be completely finished when the buzzer goes off, you’ll at least have made a good start and created a plan of attack. Find another 20 minutes in your week to do a little more, and before you know it, your closet will be transformed.
>>Back to the Organizing Challenge
Nestpert: Jamie Novak is the author of The Get Organized Answer Book, 1000 Best Quick and Easy Organizing Secrets, and 1000 Best Quick and Easy Time-Saving Strategies. Learn more at JamieNovak.com.
-- Jamie Novak
May 25, 2009
See More: Decor Tricks , Cleaning & Organizing , Style Solutions , DIY , Painting & DIY