Do you ever stare into a packed closet and feel like you have absolutely nothing to wear? It happens to the best of us, and more often than we would like to admit. Although there are countless ways to create more space in your closet, from connecting hangers with soda tabs to opting for baby…
If the thought of dumping out all your clothes and sorting through each piece feels too daunting, there’s a simpler way to pare down your wardrobe: the reverse hanger method.
What Is the Reverse Hanger Method?
The reverse hanger method is one of the easiest ways to determine which clothes to keep and which to donate, but it won’t happen overnight.
The first step is to reverse all the hangers in your closet so the open side of the hook faces the opposite way you normally hang them.
Once you’ve worn an item, rehang it and return it to the closet rod, ensuring the hook is pointing in the direction you typically hang clothes. Over time, you’ll see which items you actually wear and which you don’t. It’s the perfect way to identify what deserves a spot in your closet and free up precious storage space.
Mark Your Calendars
As we noted earlier, the reverse hanger method takes some time to complete. To make it easier, you can set a specific time frame. For instance, you can give yourself a month, start at the beginning of each season, or better yet, make this a yearlong project with check-ins every few months.
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Stick With It
The key to making this decluttering hack work is to actually remove the unworn items at the end. Once your set time is up, put them in a box to donate to your local thrift or charity shop. If you’re looking to make some extra cash, consider selling the items on a resale site such as Poshmark, ThredUp, or Facebook Marketplace.
There are some exceptions, of course. If you don’t store out-of-season clothing and your closet is jammed with bulky coats and sweaters year-round, those hangers are unlikely to get reversed during the warmer months. While we recommend decluttering and stowing away such items, you may need to evaluate them individually at the end of the specified time frame.
This decluttering method won’t deliver instant results, but it’s incredibly easy and well worth the wait.
