Back-to-school season is the perfect time to hit reset—and that includes your child’s closet. Before you spend a dime on new clothes, take a little time to declutter. You’ll save money, avoid duplicates, and create a more organized space that makes school mornings a lot smoother. Here’s how to declutter your kids’ closets before the back-to-school shopping madness begins.
If you are new to the blog, welcome! I blog about cleaning, decluttering, and organizing. You can find my free printables to help you get organized in the drop down menu under the Printables category. Check out this post on Summer Deep-Clean Checklist: Refresh Your Home for the Season. Also, check out my Closet Declutter Checklist here.
Struggling with the daily housekeeping chores? Check out my ebook on this topic, entitled Make Over Your Homemaking. Use this link to get it at a discounted price.
Before we begin clearing clutter with my closet declutter checklist, I though it might be thought provoking to look at some statistics on clutter.
- US consumers buy 40% of the world’s toys, but bear only 3% of the world’s children.
- Most people wear 20% of their clothing 80% of the time. (source ) A clutter free closet ensures you aren’t wasting space by keeping items you don’t need.
- 9.4% of U.S. households rent a storage unit. (source)
- People do not look at 80% of the papers and information they keep.(source)
- The average American house is double the size it was in the 1950s–and getting bigger. (source.)
Declutter Kids’ Closets Before Back-to-School Shopping
1. Start With a Clean Slate
Take everything out of the closet. Yes, everything. It might look like a disaster for a moment, but this gives you a clear view of what you’re working with. Lay everything out on the bed or floor so you can sort through it easily.
2. Sort Into Clear Categories
Make piles to sort clothes into:
- Keep: Fits well, in good condition, and your child actually wears it.
- Donate: Gently worn items that no longer fit or aren’t needed.
- Toss: Stained, torn, or worn-out clothing.
- Hand-me-downs: Items your child has outgrown but can be saved for a sibling.
3. Try Things On
Kids grow fast. Don’t assume something still fits just because they wore it a couple of months ago. Have them try on borderline pieces—especially jeans, shoes, and jackets—to see if they’re worth keeping.
Tip: Turn it into a mini fashion show to keep things light and fun!
4. Be Honest About What They Actually Wear
Every kid has favorites and then there are the items that collect dust. If something hasn’t been worn in the past season, ask why. Is it itchy? Too tight? Not their style? There’s no point in hanging onto it if it’s not getting worn.
5. Declutter Accessories and Shoes
Don’t forget shoes, backpacks, belts, hats, and seasonal items like mittens or swimsuits. If your child has outgrown a pair of shoes or last year’s school bag is torn, now’s the time to let it go.
6. Organize What’s Left
Now that you’ve pared down, it’s time to organize. Group clothes by type (tops, bottoms, school uniforms, etc.) or by daily outfit. Use bins or drawer dividers for small items like socks, underwear, and accessories. Consider labeling drawers if your child is old enough to put away their own laundry.
7. Make a Back-to-School Shopping List
Now you can shop with purpose. Jot down what’s missing:
- Do they need new sneakers?
- How many pairs of school pants do they have that actually fit?
- Is their hoodie collection enough for chilly bus rides?
Having a specific list helps avoid overbuying and ensures you focus on what’s truly needed.
8. Get Your Child Involved
The more involved your child is in the decluttering process, the more likely they are to maintain the space. Let them help make decisions, fold clothes, or donate items. It teaches responsibility and helps them feel more in control of their belongings.
9. Schedule Closet Decluttering Regularly
Make this a seasonal habit—not just a back-to-school tradition. Kids’ clothing needs change quickly, and doing this every few months keeps clutter in check and prevents stressful cleanouts down the road.
10. Celebrate Your Progress
Once the closet is clean and organized, take a moment to appreciate the transformation! Maybe snap a quick photo, or let your child pick out one “fun” item on your shopping trip as a reward for helping.
Decluttering your child’s closet before back-to-school shopping saves time, money, and stress. It also sets the tone for a smoother school year, where everything has its place and mornings are just a little more peaceful.
So grab a laundry basket, put on some music, and start the great closet cleanout—you’ll be so glad you did!
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