Back to School: Helping Your Child Declutter their Closet for the Upcoming School Year

With a new school year just around the corner, it's the perfect time to help your child declutter their closet and set the stage for a fresh start. An organized closet not only saves time and reduces stress during hectic mornings but also promotes a sense of ownership and responsibility in children. In this blog post, the REFIND Organizing team will guide you through the process of decluttering and organizing your child's closet, making way for a successful academic year.

Step 1: Plan and Prepare: Before diving into the decluttering process, take a moment to plan and prepare. This includes setting aside ample time, gathering supplies like bins or trash bags, and explaining to your child the importance of decluttering and organizing their closet.

Step 2: Sort and Categorize: Start by pulling out everything from your child's closet. Encourage them to sort their clothes, shoes, and accessories into different categories such as "keep," "donate/sell," and "not sure." This step helps them visualize their possessions and makes the decluttering process more manageable.

Step 3: The Keep Pile: Now that your child has identified the items they want to keep, encourage them to evaluate each piece's usefulness, condition, and whether it still fits. Clothing that is worn out, too small, or no longer liked should be moved to the donate or sell pile. Emphasize the idea of passing on no-longer-needed items to those less fortunate.

Step 4: The Donate/Sell Pile: For items in the donate or sell pile, explain to your child the benefits of giving back to the community or making some extra money through selling. Together, decide on the best ways to donate or sell the items – local charities, online platforms, or school fundraisers.

Step 5: Organization and Storage Solutions: Now comes the fun part – organizing the items your child decides to keep. Encourage them to categorize clothes by type, such as tops, bottoms, dresses, and uniforms. Utilize storage solutions like colorful bins, baskets, or hangers to create designated spaces for different items. Labeling the storage containers can further aid in easy retrieval.

Step 6: Maximize Space and Accessibility: Help your child envision an efficient closet layout to maximize space and accessibility. Prioritize frequently used items to be at eye level or within reach, while seasonal or occasional pieces can be stored on higher or lower shelves.

Step 7: Establish a Maintenance Routine: Teach your child the importance of keeping their closet organized throughout the year. Establish a maintenance routine, such as monthly or seasonal decluttering sessions, to prevent a cluttered space from returning again.

Decluttering and organizing your child's closet before the new school year sets the tone for a fresh start and cultivates their sense of ownership and responsibility. By involving them in the process, teaching them about giving back, and offering practical organizational solutions, you are empowering them to start their academic journey on the right foot. Remember, a clutter-free environment fosters a clear mind, making way for success and creativity.

Need an extra hand in getting started? We'd love to help, so don't hesitate to contact us!