7 common mistakes to avoid when spring cleaning your wardrobe – from failing to try things on and hanging on to things 'just in case'

It's officially spring and as we pack our sweaters away, there are wardrobe spring cleaning mistakes you can avoid right now to maximize your space and improve functionality.

Being honest about the items in your winter collection before putting them away and the spring clothing you get out of storage will help. Ask yourself, will you ever wear that again? Do you need five iterations of the same white t-shirt?

Here, professional organizers share their top decluttering tips for avoiding spring cleaning closet mistakes they've seen time and again – so you can avoid making them in yours.

7 common mistakes people make when spring cleaning their wardrobe

1. Keeping 'just-in-case' items

Hands down, the main obstacle when it comes to using capsule decluttering is learning to let go of all those items you keep 'just-in-case,' but then never wear, or even look at.

Martina Cherry, style expert from curated fashion site endource, explains, 'People hold on to clothes for many reasons – whether it's the hope of wearing them again someday, or because they feel sentimental about them.

'However, this habit is one of the biggest contributors to a cluttered and overwhelming wardrobe,' and therefore one of the main things leaving you trying to declutter your home when you feel overwhelmed.

Martina instead recommends donating or selling decluttered items and give them a new lease of life by selling them on pre-loved fashion platforms like eBay or Vinted. If selling valuable designer ideas, consider Relove or Vestiaire.

'This way, someone else can enjoy and appreciate them, and not only is it great for the environment, but you can earn some cash, too!' she adds.

When deciding which items to keep, sell, or donate, Courtney Cummings, owner of The Stylish Organizer, encourages you to be honest with yourself.

'Despite how much you love that bright yellow sweater from college, if you haven’t worn it in the last five years (or even in the last year), it’s probably time for it to go,' she says.

'The same adage goes for those jeans you picked up on sale that still have the price tag on them because they don’t quite fit. Be realistic with what you wear and what doesn’t make your regular rotation. By giving your closet the space to hold only your favorite items, it will be a breath of fresh air every time you enter.

'You will also get dressed with more ease and less stress.'

If you're still struggling to declutter sentimental items, Courtney suggests making a 'sentimental' bin, where you can store a few items to hang on to, and placing it up and out of the way, on a higher shelf, or in a storage room.

'Be sure the bin has a lid to protect it from dust, dirt and moisture,' she recommends. I like using the 19 qt. Weathertight Tote Clear bins from the Container Store for off-season and sentimental items.

Then, you can consider slow decluttering to make letting go of stuff easier as and when you feel ready.

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2. Decluttering without a plan

With any decluttering method, it truly pays to have a plan before you get started.

'Not having a clear goal or process when decluttering your wardrobe can lead to an unorganized mess, which can make the task longer than it should be,' says Martina. 'Before you even start decluttering, ensure you have a strategy instead of throwing everything into one pile.'

A great way to do this is by implementing the pile decluttering method, categorizing and determining the sections where you will place your garments into keep, donate, and sell.

'This way, you will be able to efficiently navigate which clothes are going where instead of creating a swamp of clothes,' adds Martina.

Jill Yesko Diane, founder and owner of Discover Organizing, also recommends starting in small increments to prevent overwhelm, advising, 'Pick five pieces of clothing out of the closet and decide whether to keep, toss or donate.'

This is also an effective time to use the 'Didn't Know' decluttering method. Simply put, if you didn't know or remember you had that dress, or that pair of trousers? Get rid of them without guilt.

Learn more about how to avoid decluttering haphazardly in our dedicated guide.

3. Failing to clean your actual closet

As much as decluttering is the main aim here, don't forget to clean your clothes closet at the same time. Once emptied, it's the ideal opportunity to give it a freshen up, which is one of the things people with a nice-smelling closet always do, and for good reason.

'In the winter, our furnaces run constantly to keep us warm and toasty,' says Courtney. 'They can also circulate dust and dirt throughout our home in addition to heat.

'So, when you are cleaning your closet for spring, be sure to wipe down your shelves, hanging rods, and even the inside and outside of your drawers,' to remove dust and get rid of any musty odors. As Courtney highlights, your clothing will also fare better in a clean and dust-free environment.

4. Decluttering in the wrong mood

There's no denying that decluttering can take a lot out of you. And, as Martina stresses, if you're not in the right headspace, you may make rash decisions that can leave you with declutter regret.

She advises, 'Before you pencil in your decluttering day, take a moment to think about what you want to achieve. Set realistic expectations and visualise the end result – a tidy, clean wardrobe you are able to navigate effectively.'

Martina also recommends taking regular breaks, which is one of the decluttering golden rules to keep in mind. 'Pop on your favorite show, playlist, or podcast in the background to keep you motivated,' she says. 'Do whatever works for you!'

5. Not trying things on

It's so frustrating when you grab an item out your closet only to find that it no longer fits, or looks good. According to Sandy Eaton, professional home organizer at New Day Organizing, the best way to avoid this is to try each and every item on before making any decisions.

'It's tempting to look at items and make a decision based on memory whether they look good,' she says. 'Instead, create a small "try-on" area with a full-length mirror. For questionable items, put them on and honestly assess: Does it fit well? Do I feel confident wearing it? Have I worn it in the last year?

'If you haven't, then think about why you haven't worn it. If the answer is 'no' to any of these questions, it's time to let that item go.'

As Martina recognizes, this rule for decluttering clothes will take a bit more time, even when paired with the five second decluttering rule, but the results of an edited wardrobe which makes you look and feel great will be worth it in the long run.

'Trying on your clothes before you decide to keep them can really help visualize garments better, as not everything looks the same on the hanger, and ensure they are not taking up unnecessary space in your wardrobe,' she assures.

For any items you aren't sure on, for example if you believe you'll wear them again after a change in size, professional organizer Jill recommends placing them in a storage container.

6. Avoiding taking everything out

With any decluttering, it's a classic trope that things have to get worse before they can get better. And, while daunting, with your wardrobe, opting for the chaos decluttering method is your best bet.

Ashley La Fond, founder at Of Space & Mind, warns, 'The number one mistake people make when spring cleaning their wardrobe is not taking everything out.

'It might seem like more work, but without seeing everything you have, you really can't make good decisions about what to keep and what to edit.'

This is because, as Ashley explains, when you go through piece by piece rather than category by category, you miss the bigger picture of what you own, where you have duplicates, what your favorites are, and what isn't actually being worn.

Angie Hughes from Your Life Organizer assures, 'You'll get rid of so much more when decluttering this way,' and suggests tackling by category to avoid overwhelm. 'Take breaks between categories so you stay refreshed,' she adds.

This could be a few minutes, hours, or even days, as part of your week-by-week decluttering method. 'Break the project into chunks and strive to tackle one section or drawer at a time,' advises Courtney. 'You will feel a sense of accomplishment each time you finish a drawer, review your dresses, or go through that stack of sweaters.

'In the end, you will have a curated wardrobe that fits, makes you feel good, and accurately represents your style. And isn’t that worth your time and effort?'

7. Neglecting to put a maintenance plan in place

Decluttering and looking back at your newly organized and streamlined closet is a wonderful feeling. But, warns style expert Martina, if you don't create a habit of reviewing your wardrobe regularly, all your hard work can be quickly undone.

'Life happens and things can build up over a long period of time no matter how conscious one may be; however, ensuring you set a reminder and take the time to review your wardrobe every two to three months will help you maintain an organised space and keep items in your wardrobe that you truly love and wear,' she says.

It might be an idea to implement the one-in, one-out rule, or, if you're able to be more ruthless, the one in, ten out decluttering rule. This will help you make more informed purchases and deter impulse shopping, while ensuring your closet stays streamlined long-term.

Meet our experts

Courney Cummings

Courtney Cummings is the founder and owner of The Stylish Organizer, specializing in minimizing clutter, thoughtfully sorting, and designing custom solutions tailored to her clients' unique needs.

Jill Yesko Diana

Jill founded Discover Organizing in 2003, becoming a member of the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals (NAPO) in 2004, and earning a Certified Professional Organizer designation in 2007. 

Angie Hughes

In 2010, Angie trained with New York Times best-selling author Julie Morgenstern in both home organizing and time management and has since spent the last decade helping countless clients both in-person and through her digital programs.

Keeping spring cleaning rules from the pros in mind will give you the best chance of success when decluttering.