What Should I Remove First When Decluttering? Start With Clothing.
What should I remove first when decluttering is one of the most common questions I hear as a Certified Master KonMari® Consultant. From a KonMari® perspective, the order in which we declutter matters. The sequence is intentional because it helps us develop sensitivity to what brings us happiness, or what Marie Kondo calls “sparking joy.”
The KonMari® Method moves through categories in a specific order: clothing, books, paper, komono, and finally sentimental items. This progression is designed to build decision-making skills gradually, starting with categories that are easier to evaluate and ending with those that are emotionally complex.
So the answer is simple. Clothing comes first.
Why Clothing Is the First Category to Declutter
Clothing is worn close to our bodies and, by extension, close to our hearts. Starting with clothing allows us to reconnect with ourselves in a very practical way. We interact with our clothing daily, which makes it an accessible place to begin building awareness.
Marie Kondo emphasizes beginning with items worn closest to the heart, which often means clothing worn on the upper body. This is where the process becomes more personal. Clothing reflects how we see ourselves right now, not how we used to be or hope to be someday.
According to Marie Kondo, this approach has proven to be the most effective way to begin decluttering. It creates momentum and builds confidence early in the process.
Heart-Based Decluttering and Skill Building
Decluttering clothing is not only about making space. It is also about learning how to make decisions. As you move through the KonMari® order, the decisions become progressively harder, which is why sentimental items come last.
At The Uncluttered Life, Inc., we often work with clients who have recently installed permanent closets in their primary bedrooms or other living spaces. These clients are usually highly motivated, and we consistently see that starting with clothing sets them up for success.
After a four hour session, clients can clearly see the impact of clothing decluttering. Many people who believed they would struggle to let go find that the process becomes easier than expected. This often surprises them, especially when they have held onto items for years.
How Clothing Decluttering Affects the Psyche
Something important happens when clothing is the first category addressed. Clothing is where we meet ourselves every day. It either supports who we are now or it does not.
Many people keep clothing for a future version of themselves. Clothing that fits a different body, a different lifestyle, or a different season of life. If those items do not fit today, they cannot support you today.
When choices are limited to clothing that actually works, we are forced to face where we are right now. Today does not mean the past or the future. It means what you will wear when you walk out the door.
Having clothing that fits, feels good, and reflects your current life is essential. You can only get there if you know what you own, like what you own, and feel comfortable wearing it. That is why clothing is such an effective starting point.
What Counts as Clothing When Decluttering
In the KonMari® Method, clothing includes more than just shirts and pants. Shoes, jewelry, scarves, belts, hats, pajamas, and anything that comes into contact with you when you get dressed all belong in this category.
Including these items ensures you are making complete decisions rather than partial ones. It also helps prevent clutter from migrating between categories later.
Practical Tips for Decluttering Clothing First
When you are ready to begin, a few simple guidelines can make the process smoother and less overwhelming.
First, look at each item honestly. Ask yourself whether it truly works for you. Anxiety is common here. If you never reach for an item, there is usually a reason. Whether it was purchased recently or decades ago does not matter. If it does not support you now, it is time to let it go. Imagine opening your closet and being greeted only by clothing you love.
Second, try on items you have not worn in a long time. Sometimes rediscovering a piece changes how you feel about it. If it earns a place back in your wardrobe, keep it. If not, let it go without guilt. Holding onto clothing out of obligation rarely leads to satisfaction.
Third, take everything out of your closet, drawers, and storage spaces. Making a full pile shows you the magnitude of what you own and highlights overlaps. One client recently realized she owned nothing in her favorite color. After donating clothing that felt flat or uncomfortable, she added a few items that reflected her taste and felt energized to continue decluttering.
Fourth, donate with intention. Giving clothing away allows someone else to benefit from items that no longer serve you. Decluttering is not about loss. It is about making space for what does.
Finally, forgive yourself. Everyone makes mistakes when buying clothing. Learning what works for you is part of life. Decluttering is not a judgment. It is an adjustment.
Happy decluttering.