Reset Your Closet This Spring

Did somebody say spring cleaning? I am EXCITED. I love a good cleaning day. But if that makes you worried, please don’t. I’m going to leave how to unclog your drains or deep clean your oven to Martha Stewart. I’m here to help you to *clean* your closet. Yes, I will go over my classic - the 3 magic questions method of sorting through your clothes - but I actually want to focus on how to clean your clothes and your physical wardrobe!

No, I won’t be telling you how to wash your whites or what detergent to buy, this isn’t advice for college students, I’m going to walk you through taking care of your bags, cleaning your shoes, and how to keep things stored until next winter. And I know you probably don’t need more things on your to-do list, but make yourself a smoothie or a coffee, put on some ankle weights, and press play on your favorite podcast and you’ll be done in no time. 

Let the Air in

The first step to reset your life this spring, is to welcome the spring! Open your windows, change the air. The frigid winter has passed and it’s only going to get warmer!

Declutter - Winter you didn't wear

This is the perfect time to declutter! My tip? Use my 3 questions guide to systematically go through each drawer and closet! Then decide if you can upcycle, repurpose or donate each item. It will be easier to sort through your winter clothes now, separate anything you didn’t wear this past season. 

Clean your Closet

Since you’ve already moved all your clothes out of your closet, this is the time to deeply clean each nook and cranny. Once you’re finished - leave the drawers and doors open for a bit!

I recommend throwing a sachet into each drawer to keep your closet fresh and moth-free year round. 

Clean your Bags

It all depends on the material. 

Leather: Wipe with a soft damp cloth. Every few months I use a leather conditioner. Store your bags in a dust bag and fill it with tissue paper to keep the shape. If you have any scuff marks, try this neat trick - rub non gel toothpaste with a soft cloth to see it disappear!

Polyester: Wipe with a damp cloth. When needed, hand wash and let air dry.

Patent leather: Wipe with a microfiber cloth. Keep in a dust bag to avoid color transfer. 

Straw/Raffia: Wipe with a dry cloth. 

Suede, feathers, wool: Read the label, but most likely - dry cleaning. 

Clean your Shoes

Leather: Use a leather cleaner and apply leather conditioner for shine. Use shoe trees to maintain shape and prevent leather cracks.

Sneakers: For regular upkeep, remove any scuffs and marks with a magic eraser - it really is like magic. For a true deep cleaning to keep your sneakers looking and smelling fresh, you’ll need to start by removing laces and insoles. Use a brush to scrub your laces and insoles with soapy water. Throw your sneakers inside a laundry bag with the rest of your laundry (not if they are leather, suede, etc). Let it all air dry. 

Suede: Again, highly suggest the dry cleaners! And get your shoes protected with a suede spray! You can find all my essential fashion tools, like the spray, here!

Straw/Raffia: Wipe with a dry cloth.

I love this spray to keep shoes smelling fresh on a day to day basis. But I recommend cleaning your shoes about every three months.

Get your Winter Coats Dry Cleaned

You won’t be needing your winter coats for a while but you definitely got a good use out of them in the last few months. That is why sending them to the dry cleaner is a must!

Once you get them back, keep them in breathable covers (preferably fabric) to avoid molding! I also suggest you get your hands on these hangers, they are especially made to keep your coats in perfect shape.

Clean your Jewelry

Has your jewelry lost its sparkle? Maybe you haven't been cleaning it as frequently as you should! Here is what I do for each type of jewelry

Diamonds and precious stones: Hand clean with specially made products. 

Jewelry: I am obsessed with this deep ultrasonic cleaner. Nothing is as satisfying as seeing the dirt come out - it makes me feel ten times cleaner than an everything shower!

Pack away the Winter

Now that everything is clean and polished - gather your sweaters, and your gloves, and your millions of scarves and neatly pack them away. 

I recommend vacuum sealed bags and plastic bins, then throw a sachet inside each bin. For your shoes, use shapers or stuff them with tissue paper to keep their form.

Reorganize your Closet

Before you stuff everything else into your closet, reorganize your setup. Perhaps organize by color or by item category - whatever makes the most sense to you.

I recommend using organizers in your drawers to keep everything tidy and clear. 

Buy a new Scent for your Home

Last, but definitely not least, now that you’ve let some new air in and deeply cleaned, invest in a new scent for your home. I am obsessed with this one from Jo Malone. 

I’d say that counts as your workout for the day! Ankle weights are such a neat trick when you *hate* working out - like me (ok maybe not *hate*, but you know what I mean!)

Now you’ve welcomed spring, you literally and figuratively opened the windows to the new season. You’ll find it is so much easier to build from here, feeling like you’re starting from a blank slate. But you can’t wait until next year to clean your bags and shoes and jewelry or to even just let the air in. Bookmark this page so you can keep coming back to it every 2-3 months and again.

If you’re looking for any more tips or have item specific questions, reach out to me!

Bisous my friend, 

Lili