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Decluttering your closet can feel like a dreadful chore. Pulling all your clothes out, deciding what stays, what gets donated, what gets tossed, and then reorganizing it all — it's a lot! If you've been putting it off, try this simple laundry hack that helps you declutter.
Organizing pro Dr. Regina Lark of A Clear Path calls this strategy the "lazy girl laundry test." It's an effective way to determine which of your clothing items you actually reach for, and which ones never leave the closet. Lark calls it a "gentle, judgement-free way to see what you actually wear," which ultimately makes it easier to decide which items can go. Keep reading to learn more about this effective decluttering strategy.
The Lazy Girl Laundry Test
This method doesn't involve any difficult steps or active decision making. No "donation" baskets or "get rid of" piles are required. It simply asks you to live your life as you would, wearing the clothes you normally wear. There is one rule though, but we're pretty sure you'll like it: Don't do your laundry.
"The 'lazy girl laundry test' is my favorite no-effort organizing trick! You simply stop doing laundry until you’ve worn everything you truly love. Once you’re left with the 'meh' pile—the pieces that never leave the hanger—that’s your visual cue. It’s based on reality, not intention. You learn what you reach for, and that’s the most honest version of your wardrobe," says Lark.
Why It Works
Rather than adding yet another task to your daily to-do list like most organizing methods require, this one actually takes one chore away (and it happens to be one most people dread). Plus, it's also based on real-life decisions and data rather than emotions.
"It’s a gentle, judgment-free way to see what you actually wear. You are making decisions about what to keep in real-time. Your daily choices create the data for you to make analytical decisions about what to keep, rather than emotional decisions about what you think you love. The process also helps you separate comfort favorites from 'someday' clothes. And truly—this will work for anyone who’d rather live their life than organize it," says Lark.
Without the emotional pressure of deciding on the spot what to keep versus what to get rid of, people are able to better assess their clutter based on simple passive observations of what's left in their closet once they feel like they have "nothing" to wear.
From there, you might be inspired to wear something you've gone "blind" to or actually missed. Or, more likely, you'll realize you've been holding onto clothes you clearly wouldn't miss.
Next Steps
Of course, there may be some pieces you haven't worn because they're not seasonally appropriate. Once you separate those items from your "meh" clothes, the process of decluttering should feel less overwhelming.
"If they no longer fit your life or your body, release them to someone who’ll enjoy them. Selling or donating turns your closet clutter into someone else’s treasure—and gives you back energy, space, and a wardrobe that actually feels good to live with," says Lark.
And while you may have enjoyed completely eliminating the chore the past couple of weeks, once the process is over, you should probably do your laundry.
