Get Your Custom Closet Prepped for Summer

Sort and Store Off-season Clothing

The end of each season is a great time to sort through your wardrobe and decide which pieces will go into storage for the following year. If there were articles of clothing you didn’t wear this past winter, then it’s time to decide if you’re going to keep, sell, donate, or throw them out.

Once you’ve decided which pieces you’re keeping, then it’s time to decide how you plan to store them through the summer months. When the weather is hot and humid, it’s best to space out the clothing in your closet to allow for better airflow. For this reason, you’ll want to store your winter clothing elsewhere.

Clear plastic totes work well for storing winter clothes, as you can see what’s inside each tote, and the lids keep out dust and dirt. The storage experts at Better Homes and Gardens recommend vacuum-sealed storage bags as another way to store clothing.

Improve Closet Ventilation

If possible, take a look at your closet and see if there’s a way to improve the ventilation. Keeping good airflow is important in hot, humid climates, and closets tend to be cramped spaces at the best of times.

If there’s a way for you to install a small vent to allow for air circulation, this would help to cut down on moisture in your closet, which will in turn keep the closet smelling fresher. Consider putting a small vent in either the closet wall or door to help improve your closet’s ventilation before the full heat and humidity of summer hits.

Wipe Down Walls and Vacuum Floors

When prepping any area for a new season, it’s always good to give it a thorough cleaning and freshening up. Wipe down the walls and shelves in your custom closet, removing any dust and dirt that might have accumulated over the winter. If you have bins on your shelves, remove them temporarily to better clean and dust everywhere.

Once the closet has been dusted and wiped down, get the vacuum and give the floors a thorough cleaning. If you have carpets, try using a mild carpet deodorizer to get rid of any stale smells. If you don’t have carpets, give the floors a thorough mopping.

Declutter and Discard

While you’re cleaning everything, be sure to use a critical eye and watch out for any items you might not need anymore. Getting into the habit of decluttering and discarding regularly will help to cut down on mess and disorganization in your closet.

Closets sometimes become the dumping ground for items we don’t feel like putting away properly. Take the time to go through everything in your closet to see if anything could be stored elsewhere or gotten rid of completely.

Take Inventory of Summer Wardrobe

Before setting up your summer wardrobe, take inventory and see what you want to keep and what you want to discard. Perhaps some items aren’t things you want to wear anymore, so take the time now to decide before putting them in the closet.

Once you’ve chosen what items you want to keep, set them up in your closet so each item is easy to find. If you’re using bins to store some of your summer clothes, make sure they’re labeled clearly so you know where everything is.

Purchase Storage Accessories as Needed

If you’re finding your closet shelves are getting disorganized or you simply need additional storage space, purchase whatever new accessories you feel your closet needs. However, leave this step for last, as you won’t know what storage tools you’ll need until you know what you’re putting in your closet.

Once the closet is emptied and cleaned and items are ready to be put away, figure out what storage items you need. It might be new bins to hold your bathing suits or additional hooks for beach towels. Waiting until you know what you need will prevent you from wasting money and buying items you won’t end up using.

Conclusion

With the warm temperatures coming, it’s a good idea to take some time to freshen up and organize your custom closet. Get your closet ready by following these simple tips, and keep it cool and fresh this summer.

Sources

• https://www.bhg.com/transition-closet-by-season-7479634