Does your closet suffer from ‘clutteritis’? And if so, how can you cure it?

Does your wardrobe or walk-in clothing closet suffer from the common but irritating condition known as ‘clutteritis’? And if so, what can you do about it?

There’s a common ailment afflicting closets all around the world. One that is incredibly irritating, and often lifelong. And it’s called clutteritis.

Clutteritis has multiple symptoms, but fortunately there is a cure! To help you identify whether your closet is a victim of this condition, and what you can do about it, we’ve put together some tips for you – plus share a suggested method to prevent relapse.

Signs that your wardrobe is a victim of clutteritis

There’s a difference between a messy closet and one that is cluttered. You can clean up a mess in just a few minutes, but when a wardrobe is cluttered, you might notice the following symptoms:

  • It’s difficult to walk in and out without tripping over something.
  • You often can’t find items you know are in there.
  • There are nooks and corners of the wardrobe that you haven’t seen in months, perhaps years.
  • Odd odors emanate from the area every so often.
  • You can’t remember if the wardrobe is carpeted because you have not seen the floor in more than a year.
  • You dread going in an looking for anything because you usually can’t find what you need.
  • The space is so over-loaded with junk that you are unable to completely close the door.

Scientifically proven steps for treatment of clutteritis

Sometimes a cure can hurt. So be ready to suffer a bit while you treat your clothing storage area for this common condition.

Here’s a cure that has worked for millions and can do the trick for you, provided you follow the steps and approach the problem with a positive attitude:

  • Remove everything from your closet/wardrobe.
  • Place clothing items on a large bed, shoes and other non-fabric pieces on a nearby floor so you can see everything at once.
  • Thoroughly dust and vacuum the interior of the space, being careful to get high-up cobwebs in ceiling corners. Wipe down the walls with a disinfectant cleanser. Wipe out all bins and boxes as well. Apply a disinfectant powder to carpeted floors before vacuuming. If the floor is non-carpeted, mop it from end to end, being sure to get grime and soot out of the corners.
  • While the now-cleaned interior is drying and airing out, deal with the contents that are strewn across your bed and floors.
  • Be brutal. Make a “reject” clothing pile for anything you no longer want, haven’t worn in more than a year, doesn’t fit, can be sold, or can be donated to a charity. Cull through fabric items, shoes, purses, hats, bags, and whatever else you have accumulated.
  • Place all the rejects into categorized boxes in your garage or another space in your home.
  • Before returning the “keepers” to the wardrobe, be sure they’re all clean. If they aren’t, wash them before allowing them back into the closet.
  • Consider arranging hanger items by category, namely shirts, blouses, slacks, coats, sweaters, dresses, etc. Put scarves on hooks or rings, and put belts, ties, socks, underwear, and gloves into drawers or open boxes for easy access.
  • Near the front of the wardrobe, place the items you wear most often.
  • Place a few pieces of scented pine in the corners along the back of the area.
  • Put a shoe rack in the back of your closet/wardrobe.
  • For items you use infrequently, place them in boxes on the upper shelves.

How to prevent a relapse

Once you cure your wardrobe or closet of clutteritis, it’s time to put a prevention regimen into effect. If you don’t want to face clutter again, do the following.

Once per week

Remove anything that doesn’t belong, like toys, glasses, plates, blankets, dirty clothing, and items you have decided to give away or dispose of. Neaten up all the storage areas, arrange hangers, pair up shoes, and reorganize everything. Spend less than 15 minutes on this task.

Once per month

Remove storage boxes, small dressers, bins, shoe boxes, and anything on the floor. Vacuum the entire wardrobe/closet, paying particular attention to corners. Remove everything on hangers and anything blocking the walls. Wipe down all walls with a disinfectant liquid.

If there is dust on the ceiling, use a vacuum to get at it. Return everything to its proper location. This step should take about one hour to complete.

Once per year

Do a total decluttering process, going through each item and deciding whether to keep it, sell it, give it away, or trash it. Consider rearranging storage bins and boxes if you feel a change will make the area look better.

Remove everything and thoroughly clean the walls, floor, and ceiling. Clean out all bins, boxes, and plastic containers. Plan to spend a few hours to finish this annual prevention chore.

If you follow the above steps and do all the preventive tasks, your wardrobe or clothes closet will never again be afflicted with clutteritis. Remember, an uncluttered wardrobe is a happy wardrobe.

Jennifer Hanzlick is an entrepreneur, speaker and hoarding expert. She was inspired to create a business to help people remove the junk and clutter from their homes.

She found out many people are overwhelmed with the amount of clutter or junk in their homes. They want to get rid of it but don’t know where to start and need extra help. And this is how Clutter Trucker was born! 

Photo by Julia Janeta