12 Closet Items You Should Toss ASAP, According to Professional Organizers

Is your closet overflowing with clothes, accessories, and other random stuff? It might be time to set aside an afternoon for some decluttering. Even if you're used to the overflow of things, you'd be surprised by how much of a difference a thorough edit of your items will make in getting ready each morning.

To help you with the task, we consulted professional organizers who shared their top recommendations for the 12 items to let go of immediately. But keep in mind that many of the pieces you no longer wear or need could be valuable to someone else. So, as you clear out your space, consider donating to local charities or donation centers where your items can find a new home and purpose. Read on to learn what to cull from your closet—for good.

Gifts That Don’t Reflect Your Style

Maybe you’ve felt inclined to keep that hand-knit sweater your mother-in-law gave you five Christmases ago—but in reality, you have only sported it a couple of times.

“Holding onto clothing solely because it was a gift can create feelings of guilt or obligation, especially if you feel pressure to keep and wear it,” professional organizer Hayley Anderson, the founder of Meraki Home Organization, says. Instead, she explains, you’re better off donating these pieces and allowing someone else to enjoy them, all the while freeing up space for duds you are excited to wear.

Impulse Buys

The items we pick up on vacation or when we’re feeling stressed or in need of some retail therapy, professional organizer Katherine Picott says, are “often the biggest clutter culprits.” If you haven’t worn these purchases, they shouldn’t be taking up space in your closet. “Recognizing these impulse buys can help you make more intentional purchasing decisions in the future, keeping your closet organized and manageable,” adds the founder of Tidy Milso.

Clothing That Doesn’t Fit

Pieces you consider to be aspirational may actually cause more harm than good. “These ill-fitting items can serve as a demotivator,” Anderson says. “Glancing at the pair of jeans every time you enter your closet can send the wrong internal message, reminding you of unmet goals.” So say goodbye to too-tight clothing and swap in some more comfortable items. “You deserve clothes that fit your body and make you feel good,” professional organizer Ashley La Fond, the founder of Of Space & Mind, says. “Stop shaming yourself and let go of the clothes that no longer fit you.”

Items That Are Difficult to Maintain

If a piece of clothing requires tons of upkeep, it may not be worth holding onto, professional organizer Stephanie Treantos, the founder of Lemonaid Solutions, says. “Get rid of it and consider buying clothing that doesn’t easily wrinkle!”

Rachel Cannon, founder of Rachel Cannon Limited, is in agreement. “If you’re not an ironer, don’t buy or keep anything that requires ironing before each wear,” the designer and professional organizer says. “You’ll get more use out of the clothing you do have, and your mornings will be less stressful.”

Pieces in Need of Fixing

You said you’d bring those dress pants to the tailor six months ago, yet here they are, sitting at the bottom of your closet. Odds are, you’re not going to get around to this task anytime soon and are better off parting ways with these trousers. “If you have items that are damaged and you haven’t worn them or attempted to get them repaired, this is a good place to purge,” Anderson comments. “The chances that these items are going to be in style and fit your current lifestyle when you do repair them are low,” Cannon adds. “You probably don’t need that item as badly as you thought you did if it goes unworn for any length of time.”

Sentimental Pieces

You may be able to live without these items after all. “It's great to keep a college tee but a pile of 15 that won't fit in the closet may call for a good declutter,” says professional organizer Kayleen Kelly, the founder of Kayleen Kelly Home Organizing & Redesign. “If everything is special, nothing is special.”

Seasonal Wear

It’s officially time to go through your stockpile of swimsuits, winter scarves, and more. “This is a category that grows each season and is rarely addressed because we only use the items six months out of the year,” Kelly says. “Each season you pull them out, declutter!”

Extra Shoes

Maybe they don’t fit any longer or just don’t suit your current look. “Save precious space for the items that serve you and toss old shoes that no longer fit your feet or style,” La Fond says. Once you have an edited list, keep your favorite footwear organized and protected with a space-saving shoe organizer.

Evening Gowns You Won’t Wear Again

If you don’t think you’ll repeat a gown, donate it. “They are expensive, take up a lot of space, and most of us are not pulling a Kate Middleton and having them reworked for multiple occasions,” Cannon says. You might also be able to get some money for them by selling them on a consignment website or at a secondhand store.

Cosmetics

If it didn’t ever belong in the closet in the first place, it certainly shouldn’t reside there now. “Unless you really have the real estate to house bathroom products in your closet, beauty products are best suited for the bathroom,” Treantos says, referring to a common culprit. And if you need a slender organizer for the bathroom, our Senior Commerce Editor Marina Liao loves this small space-friendly pick from mDesign. "I have this situated between the sink and my toilet to hold all my beauty products," she says. "It has held up over the last four years and fits a ton of items."

Freebies

Clothing items you received completely gratis can be oddly difficult to part with. “Those free T-shirts from events that you never wear can really pile up,” Picott says. “Recycle or donate them to give them a second life and clear some space in your wardrobe.”

Excessive or Poor Quality Hangers

Your hangers should make your closet appear more streamlined, not contribute to the clutter. “Keep only the amount you need,” Picott, who is a proponent of parting ways with wire hangers in particular, says. “Upgrading to sturdier options like velvet hangers for a large volume of items or wood hangers for a minimal wardrobe can protect your clothes better and create a uniform, elegant look in your closet,” she says.