We have provided information about closet cleaning and organization. Click any od the links below to read more about the topics.

How to Clean Out your closet
How to Keep Your Closet Organized

How to Clean Out your closet:

Before Payless Closets can install your new MasterSuite™ by ClosetMaid® closet system, you need to face your clutter. We know this can be a daunting task - one that you'd probably prefer to skip by simply dumping everything in your closet onto the bed. But you'll be far happier with the results of your closet makeover if you take a few extra steps ahead of time to review your wardrobe and get organized for putting everything away later. Here is a simple list of tips to make this project go as smoothly as possible:

1. You wear 20% of your wardrobe 80% of the time so choose the items you wish to keep - going forward.
2. Only keep garments of high quality and/or that you use frequently. Items to discard include anything.
        you haven't worn in a year
        worn at the cuffs or neck
        stained beyond cleaning
        requiring mending or missing buttons
        one-size too small (or large)
        out-of-fashion in styling or fabric
        missing parts of sets (top and bottoms), socks, gloves, etc.
        poor quality (i.e. acrylic sweaters that don't keep you warm)
        with price tags never removed
        worn out shoes and purses
   
3. Start at one end of your closet and work your way to the other end reviewing each item. Have a bag or empty box ready for everything you plan to discard. Give these items to your favorite charity. Keep a list of the items you give away for your tax records.
4. Push each item you plan to keep to the end of the pole after reviewing. At the end of the review, you can move all the "keepers" out of your closet and into another one temporarily, or onto a rental clothes rack. This will reduce wrinkling and mess in your room. If absolutely necessary, you can place your hanging wardrobe on the bed just before installation.
5. Saving items for when you "take off that last 10 pounds" can be discouraging since it can take longer than you'd like. If you must save something for the "new you," pick one item or outfit to help motivate you. Discard the rest. Rewarding yourself by shopping for new clothes is a much better incentive for slimming down!
6. Once you determine which garments you plan to save for your "new" closet, determine how many hangers you need to buy. Pick one type: wood or plastic. Using only one style hanger simplifies the clutter and provides a sense of control over the space. Have your new hangers ready upon completion of the installation and switch each garment onto the new hanger as you put each item away.
7. If you plan to keep some shoes in shoeboxes after your organizer has been installed, take the time to label each box with a bright marker. Make it easier to find the shoes you are looking for.
8. Place all miscellaneous closet items such as belts, ties, jewelry, lingerie, and undergarments, which will return to the closet after installation. Place them in organized labeled boxes. Simply dumping them into one heap will make the process of putting everything away much harder and take more time to sort through.
9. Remove EVERYTHING from your closet BEFORE your installer arrives. Closet preparation may include repainting or wall patching. Be sure you understand exactly what services your installer will be providing in removing the old closet materials and what surfaces may remain visible if you choose not to prepare the walls in advance.

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How to Keep Your Closet Organized:

As you admire your new MasterSuite™ by ClosetMaid® closet system, you may be wondering what's the best way to put everything away and keep it in order? Here are our suggestions to speed along completing your project and maintaining the peace:

1. Remember to transfer garments from their old hangers to the new ones as you return items to the closet.
2. Keep in mind the old adage: If you can't see it, you won't wear it!
3. Return hanging garments to their new home first. Start with separates, working with one clothing type at a time (e.g. short sleeve shirts or casual vs. formal), from light to dark colors. Depending upon whether you are left or right-handed and whether you prefer your hangers facing left or right, put away one section at a time of clothing from left to right or vice versa.
4. If you're having difficulty deciding which type of clothes (e.g. suit jackets) should go in which section of your new closet system, begin with the garments you wear most frequently. Hang your most frequently worn garments in the most accessible section (usually nearest the door), then begin putting away your remaining items in order of what is used less and less frequently, working your way towards the most inaccessible parts of your closet.
5. Separate your suits. Women's fashions allow for a wide-array of mixing and matching. Keep tops and bottoms separate so you can see new mix 'n' match possibilities.
6. Hang your pants above your shirts. Not only is there more room to store shoes or sweaters on the shelf between upper and lower hanging, but pants don't stick out away from the hangers like blouses, so it's easier to see what's hanging on the bottom rack.
7. If you can't slide your hangers back and forth easily on the pole after putting everything away, you have too many items in your closet. Re-examine your choices to see if you should remove any out-of-season garments or less frequently worn clothing so your regular wardrobe can stay organized. If your closet is overstuffed, it will only get disorganized as your wear and then attempt to return items after laundering (when there is no space left to return them).
8. Be careful hanging shed able clothing next to fuzz magnets. Your white angora top may leave lots of hairs all over your black velvet pull-on.
9. If your dresses need more room, consider mounting a hook just inside your closet door (or on a free wall) for your bathrobe. Robes are space-eaters and usually worn far more often than many dresses.
10. Garments that belong on shelves (or may stretch out-of-shape if hung): sweaters, t-shirts, turtlenecks and other knits, blue jeans, and formalwear made with sequins or other heavy materials.
11. Once you have re-hung all your garments in your new closet system, begin putting away the most important shelving items next, starting with the most accessible shelves. If shoes are your big thing, put them away next. If you wear sweaters and turtlenecks frequently, find them a home on the shelves next. Put away the most important items first, the remainder will fill in the empty, available spaces.
12. Undoubtedly you and your closet designer decided before installation how and where you would store your shoes. Like your garments, you can organize them by color and type, dressy or casual. Depending upon the quantity of shoes and your personal preferences, you can store them on shelving with toes or heels facing front (or toe to heel). They can be staggered to fit more per shelf. If you must use boxes, ensure they are well labeled. Most importantly, take care of your good shoes. Use shoetrees to maintain shape; ensure they are regularly polished or conditioned as well as re-heeled. Best of all, shoe cubbies are adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of shapes and sizes.
13. Everything needs a home: Ties belong on a tie rack, belts on belt rack, lingerie in a drawer, purses on a shelf, and jewelry belongs in a box or in an organized jewelry drawer.

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