Drawers are intended to hold the clothes you need so you can find them when you get dressed each morning. However, over time, they become filled with items you no longer wear, things that you should toss and honestly, end up being a mess. It makes it difficult to find what you need (and to determine what clothes you need to buy).
At least two to three times a year, I take time to organize my dresser drawers. I always make sure I do this in my kids’ rooms right before school starts and again when I need to shop for clothes for the next season. Doing so helps me keep track of what they’ve outgrown and the items they need (so I don’t end up spending money on things that weren’t necessary).
Here are some shots of our dresser with the before and the after. It did not take me more than 30 minutes to get this all cleaned up, and now, I can find the clothes I need!
Other helpful organization articles:
Get a checklist to follow while you declutter your dresser drawers. Check everything off until you are done!
HOW TO CLEAN AND DECLUTTER DRESSER DRAWERS
1. Get your Trash and Donate boxes
Label the boxes or bags with “Donate.” That way, as you clean things out you, can toss them in the trash or give them away.
2. Take everything out of all of the drawers
It is always simpler to tackle this job when you have a clean space. You can place items from each drawer onto separate piles on the floor and the bed, so you can tackle each one individually.
3. Clean out the drawer
Wipe the dust and dirt from the inside of the drawer. If there are stains, scrub the space lightly. If you like to use liner paper, replace yours, so it is clean and fresh.
4. Start with the first pile of items
Now you will start to go through EVERYTHING you took out of the drawers. Follow this guide:
KEEP
– items you still wear
– things that are not worn out
– items you still like (but may wear off season)
– items that need repair and you will fix
DONATE
– any items you do not like or wear
– do not keep anything out of guilt
TRASH
– anything that has holes or is beyond repair (or that you do not want to repair)
5. Fold each item and place back into the drawer neatly
While you may think that putting pieces into a new location, may seem like a good idea, it may not. If you don’t feel you can remember the new place, it is best to keep things where they were at previously.
6. Remove items that do not belong in your drawers
If you find things that should not be in your dresser drawers, return them to the place they should live. Do not toss into another room, but instead actually put them away (or you will just be creating more clutter).
7. Use organizers
You may want to use a basket for belts. Perhaps you could hang your scarves on the wall instead of putting them back into your drawer. There are also drawer dividers you can purchase, so items stay in place inside of the drawer.
7. Make a list of the items you need
If you find that you have to throw out four pair of socks due to holes, you probably need to replace them. If your child has outgrown all jeans, then you need to buy new ones that fit. Making a list while you will help you know what to buy the next time you see a sale or visit the store.
That’s it! Now you can move on and do these same steps for each dresser in your home!!
