I am very guilty of buying a lot of clothes, and then picking favorites and gravitating to the same items time and time again. But I so rarely declutter the rest because I'm always overwhelmed by decisions.
That's why I am obsessed with productivity expert Dr. Regina Lark's ultimate anti-decision lazy-laundry decluttering method. You simply stop doing laundry, and don't start again until there is nothing left in your closet that you actually want to wear.
The Lazy-Laundry Decluttering Method
Stopping doing laundry sounds like a dream. Who wouldn't want to cut the chore out completely? However, the aim of this closet decluttering hack is not to save time, but to limit decision fatigue when streamlining your clothes storage.
Dr. Regina Lark, organizing and productivity specialist, explains that the idea behind this 'counterintuitive' method is to highlight exactly which items in your closet you gravitate towards and use regularly – a little like when I decluttered a closet with an app, but less time-consuming.
Then, when you run out of things you actually want to wear, you take stock of what is left.
Regina explains, 'When you’re down to the clothes you never want to wear, that’s your real wardrobe talking. Let condition, emotion, and practicality guide you: Sell quality pieces, donate gently worn ones, and store only what has a genuine role in your future.
'The key is not to punish yourself for the past but to make room for the person you are right now. Hold on to only what fits a clear purpose: Seasonal or specialty. And try really hard to avoid letting “keep it for now” become a holding pattern for indecision.'
Similar to value-based decluttering, this lazy-laundry decluttering method is ideal for those of us who hate making lots of rapid-fire decisions in a short amount of time.
'It turns decluttering from a one-time event into a slow discovery,' Regina emphasizes. 'Where traditional decluttering demands a hundred tiny decisions in one exhausting day, this approach flips that script; you simply pay attention to what you reach for and what you avoid. Your daily choices quietly reveal what’s essential, so when it’s time to let go, the answer is already clear.
'It could also appeal to anyone who wants their space to evolve naturally with their habits. And along those lines, it’s great for the curious, those who like to observe their behavior before changing it.'
It helps to make decluttering clothes feel more intuitive rather than forced, she continues. 'It’s designed for the real world, no marathon clean-outs, no guilt, just quiet awareness of what supports your daily life.'
It is an instant fix for decluttering decision fatigue.
Of course, there are some caveats to this 'no wash' approach. Underwear, socks, gym attire, and work uniforms, along with household linens, still need to be freshened up as you use them. The idea is to cut out washing your everyday clothes until the challenge is complete.
To help avoid mountains of mess, I recommend investing in a quality laundry organizer, such as a pre-sorted laundry hamper from Wayfair. This makes sorting clothes for laundry simple, so you can go back to your regular wash routine quickly and efficiently.
You may have to repeat the process a few times to really whittle things down, too, Regina adds.
'I recommend people testing the process a couple of times to whittle things down, learn about the habits that bring the closet to clutter, and learn more about that clothing that makes you feel really good – and why!'
What to Shop
This pre-divided extra-large laundry hamper is ideal for pre-sorting all the laundry that will build up during this challenge, so you don't end up overwhelmed by a clothing mountain.
Environmental Working Group (EWG) Certified, these laundry pods are certified healthier for use in your home, helping to cut out toxic laundry room items.
These under-bed storage bags on wheels are easy to pull out, and maintain good ventilation for items to prevent mold or musty bedroom smells. I love them for keeping seasonal clothing neat and tucked away.
Vacuum storage bags are ideal for seasonal storage, keeping clothes and household linens safe from pests and moisture, without taking up valuable storage real estate.
These doubled-up hangers make storing whole outfits together simple, to help save space. Plus, the sturdy wood stops heavier garments from stretching.
This bestselling book packs so much information into a mere 200 pages, in a readable and digestible format that's accessible to readers of all ages.
Meet the Expert
Dr. Regina Lark transforms the way people think about organization and productivity by revealing the fascinating connection between brain science and behavior. Through her company, A Clear Path, she’s spent over 15 years helping individuals and organizations create sustainable systems that work with their natural patterns, rather than against them
This lazy, anti-decision hack is certainly one I will be using for every spring and fall wardrobe swap from now on.
As Regina concludes, 'It’s not about perfection, it’s about noticing how your relationship with your wardrobe changes over time. A quick seasonal reset helps ensure your closet reflects the life you’re living now, not the one you lived five years ago.'
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