How many times have you wondered, “How can I have so many clothes, yet have no idea what to wear?” At Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries, we understand. We’ve been collecting gently used clothes to resell for charitable purposes for nearly 130 years. And with 15 nonprofit retail locations in Massachusetts we know a little about organizing stuff.
The truth is, you have an amazing wardrobe and a beautiful living space. As well as a well-appointed kitchen. You just have to find the stuff, right?
Yet, just as the famed Renaissance artist Michelangelo sought to uncover the David in the marble, you must discover the lovely in your home.
Ok, cleaning out our closet is not a trip to Italy, we get it.
But, to quote a weak humanities student, it’s the same idea. Once we start removing the clothing we don’t love — or that does not love us any longer— our wardrobe emerges. These final pieces reflect our current taste, size, color preferences and, when hung side-by-size, caramelize into a personal fashion statement.
Follow three easy steps to organizing best-loved clothes in a closet:
- Hang each piece by color and style.
- Group by shades for gradations between fabrics.
- Store infrequently used items in a storage spot.
Your home’s beauty is in its simplicity.
The same goes for your house. Declutter living spaces rapidly. Stop thinking and simply remove items that make your eyes twitch. There is no reason to hang onto the Dutch tulip vase from your deceased Aunt Velda. Pass it on to Goodwill, where a MassArt painting major will place it in a thematic setting alongside her Frans Hals reprints. It’s all good.
Unwedging your husband’s classic science fiction collection from beneath the sofa might be a little more difficult but trust us, in the end it will be worth it. Our Goodwill shoppers are heavy readers and love ‘60s space novels.
Decluttering the kitchen
Before you run from the kitchen, consider our tips for cleaning out this family-friendly space.
- Eliminate multiples. Unless you’re a chef, there’s no reason to own eight spatulas. One metal, one plastic, one small, one large. That’s it.
- Donate what you never use. We all collect aspirational kitchen gadgets, but they take up space. Be honest with yourself. If you’ve never made pizzelles, is this the year you plan to start?
- Organize based on highest use. Place heavily used cookware nearest the stove and infrequently (but used) gadgets further away.
- Remove mismatched items. Donate bowls without plates, single cookware pieces, unnecessary tabletop decorations. Leave only what matches, you love, or use constantly.
Goodwill: The nation’s favorite nonprofit
Do you know what is the best part about creating space and beauty in your home by donating to Goodwill? You will be supporting an organization that is fiscally responsible, using 88% of every dollar it takes in on programming that directly affects people in your neighborhood. So not only are you creating a peaceful home, and a lovely wardrobe, you’re supporting individuals nearby who need a hand-up, not a handout.
Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries
Our mission is to help individuals with barriers to self-sufficiency to achieve independence and dignity through work. Not charity, but a chance. Goodwill’s mission services focus on helping people secure employment, which is critical for economic self-sufficiency.