It’s that time of year when windows need washing, the garden needs sprucing, and your closet needs organizing! DASK is an organizational term I superficially coined for spring-cleaning a closet and it works wonders!
As part of my life style services, I assist clients with organizing the clothing, shoes, and accessories in their closets. The first thing I have my client do is try on everything (yes, everything!) they have in their closet. This is where DASK comes in to play and the client and I both arrive at the decision to either Donate, Alter, Store or Keep items.
Donate anything that is not salvageable! A piece of clothing you don’t ever wear but you think just maybe you’ll be able to squeeze into those skinny jeans if you lose 5 pounds. Donate it! Nasty soiled items that the professional dry cleaner just can’t get out but you love the style of the outfit. Donate it and go find another outfit that you love. Trust me, you won’t wear the coffee-stained dress! The typical rule of thumb is if you haven’t worn something in two years, you probably never will. Let someone else enjoy it!
Alter certain garments whether it’s reducing or lengthening a hemline, transforming a dress into a skirt, or perhaps taking in the sides of a blazer. An alteration to an outfit can do wonders and seem like a brand new outfit. I have a personal tailor who comes with me directly to my client’s for any creative alterations. You name it, we can tailor it!
Store items that are out of season or near and dear to your heart (i.e. your old wedding dress or your first pair of Gucci shoes). Some items are worth holding on to if they bring back wonderful memories. Since you won’t be needing them very often, stored items should be placed in the very back or top of your closet. But be careful -- the point is to declutter and reduce items, which means you can’t keep everything (even though I know you want to!).
Keep the items you currently wear as is! Now with all the other items donated or stored away, you’ll have all your favorite pieces and new altered ones perfect to wear for whatever the occasion might be.
Hanger Hint
Maximize space in your closet by purchasing those beautiful flat hangers that instantly give you more room (for new clothes! Whoops! Ha!). Recycle those plastic bulky hangers and return those wire ones back to the dry cleaners for their re-use.
Shoe Spotlight
Break up and recycle all your shoeboxes. I know you’d like to keep the Prada and Louboutin ones, but to avoid losing space simply use those silky shoe bags that are nicely placed in those boxes to protect your shoes. Again, this will free up space in your closet and now you’ll be able to see what’s inside all those shoeboxes.
Reusable Rundown
Remember that arts-n-crafts bin you’ve been keeping which got your children through all those school projects, leadership presentations and posters? Throw out the scraps and save the rest for decorations. Or even better, donate the bin to a preschool class. Don’t forget to tackle that dress-up drawer, too! Well okay, save the batman cape for Halloween!
Last rule, and I know I’ve advised this before: Throw away, recycle or donate at least 10 things a day! This could be a small piece of paper, a broken rubber band, expired medications, that one earring that you’ve had for 10 years (You’re NOT going to find the other one!). Let it go! Unless of course it’s a diamond earring, then just give it to me! Ha!
If all this sounds like a bit too much to handle on your own, I know exactly how to make your closet look organized. I’m quick and armed and ready to work. Just Ask! I’d be happy to save you extra time so you can enjoy moments that matter most…like go shopping for all that extra room you just made in your closet! I’m good at shopping for clothes, too. Just Ask!
DASK Quote of the Day: A clean room is a clean mind. :)
Your DASK Master,
