Raise your hand if you enjoy inventorying and purging your kids’ wardrobes. Yeah, I don’t either! However, if you implement these tips, the process will become much easier and less stressful.
Table of Contents
Create a Wardrobe Inventory Checklist
Before getting started, make sure you have a predetermined wardrobe inventory list for each child. This list should include all the clothing items your child has, such as shirts, pants, dresses, and so on. If you don’t have one and/or need some ideas, you can download one of our FREE printables (linked below). But you can create one in the notes section on your phone, a Google spreadsheet, or a plain notebook. Remember to update it regularly as your child’s clothing needs change.
What Should The Checklist Contain?
This is entirely up to you and your child’s wardrobe needs, as well as the weather where you live. If you’d like, I have this blank checklist. You can download it for FREE and fill it out yourself. But I have also added pre-filled ones that I use. (You can find these linked below.)
But keep in mind that each child and family is different. Some items on my list may not apply to your child or your family’s needs. Ensure your checklist includes wardrobe items that your child needs/wears. Don’t worry about matching someone else’s child’s wardrobe.
There is no right or wrong way to do this. Create a realistic checklist for your child.
How Often Should You Inventory/Purge Your Kids’ Clothes?
Most people typically inventory and purge their children’s closets, perhaps every season or once a year, just before the start of a new school year. However, I have noticed that my kids have outgrown many of their clothes by the time those seasons arrive. Then, I rush to buy them new clothes, shoes, and other items, and purchase things I would not have otherwise bought. Instead, I would inventory and purge their clothes more often and be updated on their wardrobe needs. This not only helps me plan and stick to my budget, but also ensures that I’m not overspending on unnecessary items.
That said, I take on this task bi-monthly, sometimes sooner. It just depends on how fast my kids are growing. Some months, it seems like they grow overnight! However, to be safe, I would wait at most every two months. This way, it’s not a huge, daunting task. If you do it often, it won’t take you half the day to get it done. For example, I spend about 10 minutes updating my lists and purging a few items, rather than a few hours. Also, remember that you’re not buying clothes every time you inventory. The point is to have an updated list so that if your child needs something, you already know beforehand. You can calmly shop for this item and ensure it’s within your budget.
How To Prepare
I suggest washing all your child’s clothing before you start an inventory/purge. This way, you ensure you go through their entire wardrobe, and nothing gets left behind. I usually wash all their clothes a day before to ensure most of them are clean. This is also helpful because if you are purging something, at least it’s clean, and you don’t have to worry about washing it before selling, donating, or disposing of it. This will save you time and effort, and you can leave the purge feeling relieved.
Between Inventory/Purge
Even with regular inventory and purging, it’s essential to set up a system for the ‘in-between’ times. I’ve found that a large, labeled basket or container inside my kids’ closets is a great solution. When they wear something that no longer fits, is torn, or they no longer like it, they can toss it in there. This not only reduces the time it takes for my bi-monthly inventory and purge, but also makes the process more efficient. If you haven’t noticed, I’m all about maximizing my time here! Haha!
Sorting
Start by pulling all the clothes, shoes, and other items out of your kids’ drawers and closets and placing them in one pile. Then, set up four boxes: one for sale, one for donation, one for tossing, and one for keeping. As you go through each item, remember that you’re in control. Make decisions on the spot and sort them into their respective boxes. I recommend that you sort and decide what to do with the items on the same day. This way, you’ll prevent them from ending up in a box in the garage or worse, back in the closet!
Selling it?
I donate or give away most of the clothing my kids outgrow. Because I try not to spend too much on their clothes, most items are not worth my time to sell. However, there are some items I try to sell first. These are typically items, such as clothes, that are in excellent condition and of high quality.
Another method is bulk selling. For instance, if my son has outgrown all his t-shirts and I have a few of the same size, I’ll group them for sale. Some items may not be worth more than two bucks individually, and it’s not worth the time to list them one by one.
Additionally, jackets, sweaters, dresses, skirts, and similar items sell very well. Since these items are typically expensive when purchased new, people are always on the lookout for them. I suggest seeing for yourself what is worth selling and if it’s worth your time, etc.
Deciding Where To Sell
I have only sold items on Facebook Marketplace, and most of them have sold quickly for me. I like it because you can do porch pick-up without meeting with anyone in person. However, I am aware of other apps, such as Poshmark, Mercari, and OfferUp, among others. I have not sold items on these apps yet, but I have heard good things about them. I have purchased items from OfferUp, though. It all went well. However, do your research before trying any of these apps.
How Long Should You Hold Unsold Items?
Honestly, I’m not the best person to ask this to, haha! I waited too long to withdraw from selling and donate or give it away. So, this is up to you. Ideally, one month; if it does not sell, let it go. However, I have been guilty of waiting too long before finally giving it away, haha! So, in this case, do as I say, not as I do. Don’t hold onto items forever; they occupy both physical and mental space in your life. I am working hard to follow my advice on this one!
Donating It?
As I mentioned above, I donate or give away most of my kids’ outgrown items. I typically give the best items to people I know who have younger children. However, if I have sizes that don’t fit anyone I know or items that are still usable but not in perfect condition, I donate them to places like Goodwill or the Salvation Army.
Do your research on where to donate. I usually take it wherever it is most convenient at the moment. However, I have recently conducted more research and have increased my donations to women’s shelters. They only accept certain items, so I am still mostly taking the rest to Goodwill.
Tossing It?
Okay, some things are not worth giving to anyone or donating. Some items are just ready for the trash. And I don’t like taking items like these to donate because I know they are trash. Items with holes or stains, etc. Just throw it away! It’s okay to feel uncomfortable with waste, I do too. But some things are just trash, and there is no way around it.
Keeping It?
All right, so there are some items I keep. Not so much now, but more so when my kids were smaller. I don’t know about you, but some outfits just seeing them take me back to the moment they wore it. And I cannot let it go. Nor do I want to, haha. There are a few of these items, so I don’t mind keeping them as a memento. I keep a baby box for each of my kids, and these items are also there.
Additionally, winter and summer clothing, such as jackets, etc. I store these in a labeled container in my garage during the offseason. Whenever the season returns, I check if anything still fits, and if it doesn’t, I either donate it or try to sell it. However, I live in Southern California, so the weather is mostly sunny; therefore, our seasonal clothing is limited. I can fit both my kids’ stuff in one container.
However, it may be a few containers per child for you, but the idea is the same. Have designated containers that you rotate through the season. This keeps their closets tidy!
Organization
When I do my bi-monthly inventory/purging of my kids’ wardrobes, I fold and put away their clothes. I see it as a reset of their closets and drawers. At any other time, my kids put away their own laundry.
In our family, we’ve found that the roll-and-file-folding method is highly effective for clothing storage. We primarily file fold, but for those clothing pieces that don’t fold well, rolling is a great alternative. These methods not only keep our drawers neat but also allow for more items to be stored in each drawer.
However, I realize this folding method is not attainable for all families. It is very time-consuming. But since we don’t have a lot of clothing, it works fine for us. I suggest going with a method that works for you and your family.
Budgeting
Kids’ clothes are expensive, and you can easily spend hundreds of dollars on one shopping trip. Therefore, I think it is essential to have a predetermined budget so you can keep yourself accountable when shopping for your kids.
Have a Budgeting Method In Place
The dollar amount to budget for kids’ wardrobes differs for everyone, so I won’t go into detail. But find a method to track each person’s budget easily.
Free Printables
Click Here to Download Printable
Click Here to Download Printable
And there you have it! Wow, that was a long one. Thank you so much if you read all of it! I hope it helps you.
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