Day 13 – Decluttering Pet Toys or Coat Closet

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Originally published January 13, 2016 and updated 2018 and 2024.

It’s Day 13 of the 31 Days of 10-minuteDecluttering Tips Challenge.  Today we’ll be looking at two areas most people just never get to when it comes to organizing – purging pet toys and the coat closet.  You choose which area you want to work on today. Remember, we want to clear the clutter by eliminating things we don’t need from our lives and home so that we can better enjoy a simpler life.

Pet toys. Are you hanging your head sheepishly? What is it about toys for pets that can be so addictive. I know you love your pet. I know you want your pet to be happy, but….. really? How many toys does your pet have? I won’t give you a limit on the number of toys your pet can have, but in my house the number can be counted on one hand. My dog, Lila,  can go through toys and destroy them in minutes, even indestructible ones (see that red indestructible bone?).

For a time I thought I needed to buy her lots of toys since she tore through them so quickly (and to compensate for her early life before we adopted her). But then I realized that two sturdy bones that will last her six or more months is a better idea. No more tripping over toys (and pieces of toys) all over the house (and it saves money in the long run to buy one or two quality toys that will last).  We also have two outside toys, like a Frisbee and a tennis ball, at a time. Really what your pet will enjoy most is playing with you, going on a walk or a hike for a dog or chase a rolled up sock for a cat more than having a big pile of toys. Time playing with you is what they want, not lots of toys.

If you don’t have a big pile of pet toys, I bet you have a coat closet. This is another area where we tend to accumulate too many things and we never find the time to go through and purge what we don’t need. Depending on your coat closet and how many things you have in it, you may have to break it down into three or four 10-minute purging tasks. For today, let’s tackle coats, hats and gloves. 

Clearing Clutter – Tips for Purging Pet Toys or the Coat Closet

Ready? Grab the 6 purging bags you created earlier.  Now, let’s head to the coat closet if you’re tackling that area today. If you’re going to work on pet toys. Take a quick (remember we only have 10 minutes) run through the house and collect all the pet toys you have. Then bring them to a central location to sort through.

Take Everything Out- Keep in mind we’re doing this in 10 minutes. Grab your coats, hats and gloves and lay the items you take out on a table, bed or the floor. If you’re working on pet toys, lay them out so you can see everything. 

Group Like Items Together – Quickly group like items together.  For coats – group lightweight coats, heavy coats, work coats, exercise coats together. If you only have one or two categories of coats, then group them together by color, style or length. For pet toys – group chewing toys, outdoor toys, whatever groups work for you together. 

Evaluate – Look at each group you’ve created. For coats – try every coat on. If it doesn’t fit, eliminate it. If it’s out of style, eliminate it. If it’s torn or stained, eliminate it (unless you’ll clean it or repair it in the next week). Ask yourself if you really need all those hats. If you only have one glove or mitten (check all your coat pockets first) then it needs to go. If you haven’t worn an item in the past season, it needs to go.  For pet toys – eliminate any torn or broken items because these can be harmful to your pet. Then evaluate how many items your pet really needs (not you want) in each category. If your pet is fortunate to have a loving home and lots of toys, consider donating many of the  toys to an animal shelter. 

Purge – Remove items you don’t need to keep and place them in one of your 6 purging bags. Please seriously considering donating the items you’ve purged today. I’ve worked at a charitable thrift store and with homeless families for years. The demand for coats, hats and gloves always far exceeds the donations of those items. January is the perfect time to donate those items that you aren’t using, because they will be greatly appreciated by needy families.

Broken pet toys need to be thrown away, but other toys can be donated. Animal shelters always operate on a very tight budget and there is seldom extra funds for purchasing toys. Toys are not donated in very large numbers either, so your donation will make a big impact. Knowing how much pet toys will be appreciated at your animal shelter, take a minute to go back through your keep pile and see if there are any additional pet toys you can donate. 

Put Everything Away – Put the items you’ve decided to keep back away.

More Pet and Coat Closet Organizing Tips

Pet Organizing Products

When it comes to choosing pet organizing products, there are several key factors to consider that will ensure a functional and stylish solution for keeping your pet’s supplies tidy.

Look for products with adjustable or customizable features, such as shelving units with removable dividers or storage bins that can be arranged in various configurations. This versatility allows you to adapt the organization system as your pet’s needs change over time.

Consider the materials used in the products. Select durable, easy-to-clean materials like plastic, metal, or water-resistant fabrics that can withstand the wear and tear of pet ownership.

Choose items that complement your home decor while still meeting the practical needs of organizing pet supplies. A cohesive and visually appealing organization system can enhance the overall look of your space while keeping everything in order.

Coat Closet Organizing Products

When it comes to organizing your coat closet, choosing the right products is key to maintaining a tidy and functional space. We can all use a coat closet that’s an efficient storage area that streamlines your daily routine while keeping clutter at bay.

Select for products that maximize vertical space, such as over-the-door hooks or hanging organizers, to make the most of limited room.

Consider investing in sturdy hangers designed specifically for coats to prevent items from slipping off and becoming disheveled.

Choose clear or labeled storage bins and containers to easily identify and access seasonal accessories like scarves, gloves, and hats.

Additionally, select shoe racks or cubbies to keep footwear neatly arranged and easily accessible when heading out the door.

When selecting organizing products, prioritize those that are durable and easy to clean as a long-term solution for maintaining an orderly coat closet.

We’ve done it. Another day of purging is done. Please make the time to take your donations to your local charitable organization or animal shelter this week. You can get them out of your house and your donations will make a big impact and be greatly appreciated  Join me tomorrow for Day Twelve in the 31 Days of 10-Minute Purging Tips challenge. Let’s keep going and purge some more so you can enjoy life more.

Find all my decluttering tips, printables and challenges in the table below. You can scroll though the table and look for ideas or search for specific ideas with the magnifying glass in the upper right-hand corner (on desktop). Click on the topic and then click through the specific article.