How to Quickly Clean your Closet in Under 15 Minutes

If you are not a fan of cleaning, then finding easier ways to get things done is a game-changer. Learn how to quickly clean your closet and get another room done and off your list.

This is another great home cleaning tips to have in your tool kit. One that is efficient and quick so you can get things done and go about your day.

Be sure to grab your FREE closet cleaning checklists below!

15_Minute_Closet_Clean_up

When you think about it, one of the most expensive rooms in our home has to be our closet. With the costs constantly rising, especially with our clothing, shoes, and accessories, it only stands to reason that this room contains some of our most valuable items.

If this is the case, it may be surprising to know that few of us actually go in and clean our closets.

Now, to be clear, I am not talking about cleaning OUT the closet. That is something different entirely, and if you are still in the closet decluttering stage, then you are not ready to dive into washing walls and polishing woodwork. Jump on over to our decluttering your closet guide and get your closet ready for cleaning.

How often should you clean your closet?

It is a good idea to do a light cleaning in your closet once a week. This includes dusting any flat surfaces and sweeping or vacuuming the floors. Then a more thorough cleaning, such as wiping down the front of any cabinets, cleaning the rods you hang your clothes on, removing any cobwebs, and wiping down trim, can be on your to-do list every 2-3 months.

You can also schedule a decluttering session during your heavy cleaning times to be sure you keep your clothes and accessories from getting out of control or damaged by poor storage.

a woman working through clothes on a closet floor

How to Quickly Clean Your Closet

If it has been a while since you’ve done a deep clean in this space, you may want to remove items first.

  1. Lie a sheet on your bed and lay hanging items into piles.
  2. Put any floor items in an area so they can be quickly returned.
  3. If you have shelves, you can move things around to clean rather than remove every item.

Step #1.  Clean the Walls

It always amazes me how much dust and cobwebs can build up in such a small space. Take the time to wipe everything down from ceiling to floor.

You can use a dry dust mop like this one , a hose attachment on a vacuum, or wash it down with a damp rag or sponge.

A person wearing lime-green cleaning gloves, using a yellow cleaning towel, polishing dark wood stained cabinets.

Step #2.  Clean the Lights

Wipe down any lights in your closet to remove any dust or built up grime. You may also want to use this time to change out bulbs to gibe a brighter feel to yoru space. Good lighting, especially in a closet, is important so you can really see what you have inside. This is even more important if you dress in your closet as well.

What is the best lighting for a bedroom closet?

Ideally, you want to choose LED lighting options because they offer bright, clear light while being energy-efficient and long-lasting. Opt for cool white bulbs to provide good visibility without distorting colors, which is especially important when selecting clothing and accessories.

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Step #3.  Polish the Woodwork

Do a good wash down of the trim, making sure to get the grooves and the corners well. This is where dust and dirt can get trapped.

Depending on the type of trim you have will determine the cleaning agent to use, but I have found that more often than not, just a gentle soap like Dawn dish soap and warm water can do a great job with little to no damage to the wood.

Get more DIY Cleaner Recipes here!

Step #4.  Wash the Rods

No matter what type of hangers you are using, the wear and tear to the rods in a closet can happen. You may also have grime caked onto the rods as well.

Use a brush along with a cleaner to remove the layer of grime.

Going forward, you can routinely wipe your rods down to prevent the buildup from happening again. This will keep your hangers and clothes cleaner.

Step #5.  Wash the Shelves

Wipe down any shelves in the closet using your cleaner of choice or warm soapy water. Be sure to dry the shelves to avoid damage. If you have a solid shelf, you may want to add shelving paper to give your space a fresh and clean look.

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If you have wire shelving in your closet, take the time to clean each section on each shelf. Time-consuming yes, but again the dust that can collect here can, in turn, get onto your clothes.

Step #6.  Clean the Floors

Finish up with the floors. Start with a vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment to clean the corners and edges of your closet. This is where dirt and dust can collect and build up.

  1. If you have wood or tile, you can follow up with a sweep and mopping.
  2. If you have carpet in your closet, remove the hose attachment and vacuum the entire closet area.
A woman vacuuming a carpet in a closet

Step #7. Do Any Repairs

Once your closet is cleaned, this is a great time to reassess. Take a look at your layout and see if you want to do any repairs or updates.

Patch any holes, paint the walls, install better lighting, and update shelves and handles are all great ways to remodel where you keep your clothes.

A person's hand painting a wall yellow with a white baseboard and a silver paint can containing yellow paint.

Step #8. Replace the Hangers

The best hangers for a clothes closet are velvet-covered no-slip hangers. This style of hanger is amazing at keeping items in excellent condition and minimizing stretching as well. You can also use wood hangers or U-shaped hangers to keep shoulders intact.

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Take the time to replace any wire hangers now while you are still in cleaning mode.

Having a plan for any job is an easier way to get things done. Use this cleaning checklist to put your closet’s care on autopilot. Make a plan to do this task every 3-4 months to ensure your clothes are in the best condition.

Now that you have a plan for how to quickly clean your closet, you can get this project done and off your list!

Closet Organizing Resources

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