How to avoid wasting clothes by leaving them in closets

One of the most significant domestic wastes is that of clothes, Clothes and accessories that we somehow abandon in our closets, never wear, and somehow "lose." Not just out of sight, but in terms of frequent use.

There are several statistics that illustrate this phenomenon, the result of bad habits, but also of the lack of a minimum method in preserving our clothes. A rule, known as 80-20 and widely shared, clarifies the proportion: we use only 20 percent of our seasonal wardrobe frequently and continuously, the remaining 80 percent remains hanging where it is, or closed in drawers.

How can you avoid this waste? Here are some useful and effective tips.

• Put what you use little in frontEvery season, move forgotten items to the front of the line. The ones you always use naturally tend to come back into rotation. This method will allow you to keep track of what you don't use and determine whether it's a temporary choice or whether you no longer intend to wear that item.
• Use hangers that are equally spaced apart: Seeing items better reduces the "fabric wall" effect. We're often in a hurry when choosing items from our closets, so if the clothes are well spaced out, we can see them better and decide how and when to use them.
• Organized by category and colorT-shirts with T-shirts, pants with pants. The brain finds alternatives more quickly.
• Temporary “capsule” method: Select 20–30 items for 2 weeks and leave the rest separate. When you put the others back, they'll look "new."
• Reverse hanger ruleTurn all hangers inside out. After using an item, put it back the right way round. After a few months, you'll understand exactly what you're not using.
• Vertical shelves instead of stacks: folding vertically (like the KonMari method) prevents the clothes underneath from disappearing.
• A box "to be re-evaluated"If you haven't worn an item in a year but don't want to give it away (perhaps you're a big fan), put it in a separate box with the date. If you don't open it within 6–12 months, you can probably donate or sell it.
• Always remember That the first and most appropriate destination for any unused clothing, garment, or accessory is to donate it to an organization that assists the poor. You'll make someone happy.
• Photograph the outfits: even just in a folder on your phone. Many clothes are forgotten because we don't know what to pair them with.
• True seasonal rotationKeep only the current season in your closet. Less volume means more visual memory.
• 5-Minute Monthly Checkup: try on a “never worn” item every week, even just at home.

This happens mainly for these reasons:

• hidden or barely visible items,
• impulsive and compulsive buying,
• “special occasion” clothes,
• changed sizes,
• habits: we tend to always wear the same outfits.

The change of season is the best time to "debug" (literally: eliminate errors) your wardrobe, because you have all your items in one place and can see how they're actually used. A practical method is this:

1. Bring it all out
   Even just one category at a time (shirts, pants, jackets). As long as they stay in the closet, the brain tends to ignore them.
2. Divide into 4 groups
   • I use it often
   • I use it every now and then
   • I never use it but I like it
   • I don't use it and I don't know why I keep it
3. Ask yourself concrete questions
   Not “I like it?”, but:
   • have I put it on in the last 12 months?
   • If I saw it in the store today, would I buy it?
   • is it really comfortable?
   • Do I have at least 2 outfits with this item?
   • do I always avoid it when I get dressed?
4. Beware of false “maybes”
   The most forgotten items are:
   • “when I lose weight”
   • “for elegant occasions”
   • almost identical duplicates
   • colors that are difficult to match
   • uncomfortable fabrics.

Read also:

• Kool, the startup that fights clothing waste
• Recycling Fabric Scraps: 10 Useful Ideas
• How to give your clothes a new life