Go Organize: Conquer Clutter in 3 Simple Steps by Marilyn Bohn Page B

few suggestions for what to put back on the floor: a clothes hamper (only if you must have one here); pull-out drawers that serve as a dresser if you don't have space in the room, and shoes (either on the floor or on a shoe rack).
    Now that you have removed everything from the floor, start putting the shoes back in the closet. Look at each pair and ask yourself: do they still fit; do I like them; do they light me up; do I have clothes to wear them with; are they in need of repair or do they need polishing? If you answered no to any of the first four questions and they are in good condition, either donate them or throw them away. If they need repairing or polishing and you are keeping them, don't put them back in the closet yet. Place them in the BE basket. Get someone in your home to polish them for you. OK, if that doesn't work, you can do it later tonight while watching television. Take the ones that need fixing to your car (when you are unloading the BE basket, not right now).
    If you store your shoes on the floor, I recommend placing them on a shoe rack. You can see your shoes more easily, and having a designated place to store them will take care of the problem of shoes being scattered everywhere. If your closet has wood shelves or cubby holes, shoes can be stored there. Shoe organizers that fit over the closet rod or those that fit over the door are great containers to use for shoes. Clear, plastic shoeboxes can hold shoes, keeping them free from dust and making them easy to see. It is your preference as to how you store your shoes.
    Take a break, or at least take a breath, and a drink of water, and we'll move on to phase two in the closet.
     
Tip: Plastic shoeboxes can make perfect pull-out drawers for underwear, sweaters, shorts, jeans, or other clothing, and they can fit under hanging clothing.
     
    Closet Rod: Take everything off the closet rod. If your closet is divided by his and hers, I recommend you do one side at a time. These instructions and ideas work for both sides.
    I like to lay out a sheet on the bed to lay the clothes on that I remove from the closet. I know the clothes are clean, but I just like to protect nice quilts or duvets. As you take clothes out, keep likes together as much as you can (shirts, pants, skirts, belts, etc.). It will save you time when you start putting things back.
    Now you can assess how much space you have in your closet. If you don't have enough shelving, suspend a hanging rack from the rod. There are canvas units that hang from the rod that can be used as drawers, which are useful for socks and underwear, sweaters, or scarves. Or suspend a hanging rod that hooks over existing rods. They are inexpensive and instantly create extra room for hanging short clothes. Shelf dividers that can be placed on the shelf above the rod can be used to prevent leaning towers of sweaters or other items stored there.
     
Tip: There is a good reason wire hangers are free: They are worthless. To increase the life and shape of your clothes, don't keep them on wire or flimsy plastic hangers. Wooden and padded hangers are the best kind to maintain the shape of a garment. A cotton-padded hanger helps prevent slinky shirts and camisoles from slipping off, and there is no risk of fabric snagging or ripping. The elongated hook and curved shoulders of a padded hanger provides support for shirts and suit jackets. For pants and skirt hangers, have some kind of fabric barrier to protect clothes from clamps.
     
    Your closet is premium space, so only those clothes you like to wear, that fit you, and are in good repair should be using this space.
    As you put your clothes back into the closet, look at each article and evaluate each item using these three criteria:
 
If you haven't worn it at least once in the last year, donate it. (Obviously you won't miss it.)
     
If you are hoarding clothes waiting for that weight to come off, stop — that is part of the reason your closet got into this mess to begin with. I