Everyone knows that feeling. You look into your closet and feel like there’s nothing to wear, even though it’s probably overflowing with garments. Not that anyone needs another project, but as we head toward the end of another challenging year, it may be time for a routine closet cleanout, if only for the sake of a clearer headspace and smoother getting-dressed routine. Of course, not all closets are the same, and some may be a bit more stuffed than others. Regardless of the size, shape, or smell of your closet, here are some common mistakes to avoid when overhauling your wardrobe.

First up, what to keep and what to ditch. As you go through your clothes, you should be making piles of things to donate/sell, recycle (if possible), and keep. But there are some common pitfalls to this process to be aware of. Owning multiple basics that serve the same purposes is one of those pitfalls. Instead, think about getting rid of items that qualify as multiples. Things like black trousers, button-down shirts, white t-shirts. How many versions of these pieces do you need?

On the flip side, don’t be in a rush to get rid of garments with minor stains and rips because they can’t be mended. For pieces you really love, give them a bit of extra care, or find someone, e.g., dry cleaner/tailor, to fix minor defaults. Also, be honest with pieces that are past the point of fixing; they shouldn’t be taking up space in your closet. And speaking of care, not taking the time to steam or iron delicate pieces can render them unwearable. A quick fix is to steam your best garments before putting them back once you’ve organized your closet. This way, they’ll be fresh and ready to go!

Another thing to be honest about is what fits and what does not. We’ve all been there. I’ll wear this once I get in better shape. As a rule of thumb, if you haven’t worn something in 6-12 months, it should probably go. And part of that is also creating space for things that you feel good wearing today and new pieces you will wear in the future.

Next up, donating, selling, and recycling. So often, and I’m very guilty of this, I’ll just dump a bag of clothes in a Salvation Army box and hightail it home. But part of donating is also being respectful of the organization’s workers. While Goodwill sends clothes they can’t resell to be recycled; they shouldn’t be treated as textile recycle drop off. So, take the extra time to prep clothes that you’re donating so they can hit the store sooner and help the charity. As for recycling, it can be a challenge to find recycling centers that take clothes and other textiles, so consider being a bit creative. Can old linens be donated to an animal shelter, can old tees become dusting cloths, is this sock with a hole a potential puppet? I’m not saying this is doable for all of your throwaways, but if you have the patience and feel creative, consider alternative recycling options.

Selling secondhand clothes definitely requires work on your part. For consignment, you’ll need to launder and/or dry clean everything before taking it in. Selling online requires taking pictures and posting descriptions. For either method, you want to focus on well-known brands like Levi’s, Nike, J.Crew. Also, the pieces you’ve worn the least have the most potential for reselling, so while your little black dress is designer, if you’ve worn it dozens of times, it’ll be less valuable for a buyer.

For online reselling, you can’t just lay garments on your bedroom floor and take some quick shots on your phone. Well, I guess you can do that, but the likelihood of selling those garments is low. You want to shoot items in good, natural lighting, with a clean background and a prop or two to create a likable image for your product listing. Get close-up shots and a picture of the tag as well.

Lastly, organization. Most people arrange their garments by type, like hanging blouses, skirts, and pants together. But organizing by color looks way better in your room and makes it easier to spot pieces. Plus, you may find you’re more likely to wear pieces that used to collect dust since you’ll be able to see everything more equally. Along with hanging by color, consider replacing your actual hangers. I used to have a mix of plastic, wire, and wooden hangers. As I’ve done closet cleanouts year after year, I’ve slowly replaced random hangers with identical hangers. It has the effect of giving my garments more value. For your dresser drawers, instead of folding items in half, roll them. Rolling clothes allows you more space and makes pieces more accessible since you can see everything.

Hopefully, at the end of this process, you and your closet will be back in business, feeling excited about your clothes and getting dressed.