elizabeth clare

practical solutions for the modern catholic

in Homemaking

Seasonal Kid’s Clothing Switch: Sort, Toss, Donate, Store

The days are warm and sunny, but daylight hours are getting shorter and the nights are getting cooler.  I’d been putting it off, but it was finally time to tackle the seasonal kid’s clothing switch. The last thing I wanted to do was sort through 4 children’s worth of clothes, but I did it and lived to tell the tale!

Simple how to sort, store, donate, and trash children's clothes when the season changes. A GREAT how to guide and method.

This chore has never been something I’ve enjoyed, and now that there are four children in the home, it has gotten even more complicated.  However, I used a simple system this time to sort through all their clothes.  While it is simple, it will take some time.  I would suggest taking a half a day to complete this task or working on one child’s clothing a day.  It all depends on how helpful your kids are.

First up-gather your supplies.  Here is what I suggest.

Supplies

  1.  Garbage bag
  2. Box or garbage bag for donations or things to sell
  3. Storage box/tub/bag
  4. Labels and markers

 

I do not sell my children’s clothing.  First of all, I hope I have little people in those clothes for a long time to come.  BUT even if I don’t, I would prefer to save myself some time and energy and donate it instead.  If your kid has lots of designer duds, you may want to consider reselling.

 

Next, you are going to need some space.  Make room for the 5 following piles.  Sort your storage pile directly into the tub or box you will be using for keeping your outgrown clothes.

4 Sorting Piles

  1.  Sorting Pile (put everything on the bed)
  2. Donation Pile (put in a box or garbage bag labeled for donation)
  3. Storage Pile (directly in to storage tub)
  4. Trash Pile (garbage bag)
  5. Try-it-on Pile (try a chair)

 

Next up, it is time to get to work and actually sort through the clothes!

Sorting and storing your kid’s clothes

  1.  Get out ALL your kids’ clothes

    You may prefer to do this one child or one room at a time, depending on how helpful your kids are and how much space you have to work with.  I like to just dump everything right on their bed.Organize your kid's clothes more easily.

(As you can see, my kiddos drawer were a mess.  I let them put away their own laundry and close my eyes to the disaster that is their drawers!  About once a month I can’t stand it anymore and straighten them up.)

2.  Do a preliminary sort

I like to start sorting without my kids and then bring them into the process when I am ready for them to try things on.  This usually prevents things from being moved from one pile to another without my consent.

  • Is the item in disrepair?–Throw it out
  • Is the item too small?
    • Will you keep it as a hand-me-down for your other children?-Storage
    • Will you donate or hand on to another family?–Donation Box
  • Does the item fit?–Put it away in the drawer or closet where it belongs
  • Not sure?–Try-it-on Pile  (Below is our try-it-on pile. )the try it on pile for the clothing switch

3.  Ask your kids to try on any questionable items

(They may make an ugly face-but tell them to put a smile on and do it anyway!)

  • Too small?
    • Will you keep it as a hand-me-down for your other children?-Storage
    • Donate or hand on?-Donation Box
  • Just Right?-Put awaySeasonal Clothing Switch Storing

(Here is a bed FULL of clothes to put in attic storage until the next child grows into them!)

Make a shopping list

Take your time looking through each child’s clothing inventory.  Where are the holes in their clothing needs?  Take time to make a detailed shopping list.  I shop the attic first where I keep garage sale finds and old hand-me-downs.Sort, Toss, Donate, and Store your kids clothes with ease!

(Here’s our attic clothing storage.)

Following is what I deem to be minimalist wardrobe for children.  Your family may have different clothing needs based on your area’s weather or your activities.

Girl

  • 4 T-shirts
  • 4 Long sleeve shirts
  • 1 Sweatshirt
  • 1 Cardigan
  • 3 Shorts
  • 1 pair of jeans
  • 3 pairs of knit pants  (can also be worn under dresses)
  • 3 Casual dresses (can be used for Church)
  • 1 Fancy dress
  • 1-2 pair of tights
  • Week’s worth of underpants
  • 5-6 pairs of socks
  • Spring jacket
  • Winter jacket/snowpants/boots
  • Summer Mary-Jane shoes
  • Winter dress shoes
  • Tennis shoes
  • Sandals

Boy

  • 4-5 T-shirts
  • 4-5 Long sleeve shirts
  • 2 sweatshirts
  • 2 pairs of jeans
  • 1 pair of dress pants
  • 1 pair of long athletic pants
  • 2 pairs of athletic shorts
  • 2 pairs of casual/dress shorts
  • 1 button down dress shirt
  • 1 pair dress socks
  • Week’s worth of underpants
  • 4-5 pairs of casual socks
  • 1 pair dress shoes
  • 1 pair of sandals
  • 1 pair of tennis shoes
  • Spring jacket
  • Winter jacket/snow pants/boots

Make your seasonal clothing switch run more smoothly!(Ahhh.  That looks much better.  How long will it stay that way?)

Make it easier next time:  Keep a box to put clothing items in as they are outgrown.  This GREATLY reduces the size of the try-it-on pile!  I would suggest keeping it where you do the laundry.  It will be easy to throw clean too small clothing items directly in the tub after they are washed.

I’m so happy to have that job done!  The tubs are back in the attic and my shopping list is ready for our next day in town.

How do you make the seasonal kid’s clothing switch run as smoothly as possible?  Give me your best hint!

Here are some other posts up your alley:

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Creating and Delegating Routines to Our Children

Biweekly Grocery Shopping

Student Binder:  A Helpful Homeschool Habit

Streamlining a Boxed Curriculum for Multiple Ages

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