How to declutter your wardrobes with the ‘one in, one out’ method

There’s never a bad time to reassess how your space is working for you. Learning how to declutter your home, from your wardrobes to your storage cupboards, can help clear both physical and mental clutter.

It’s a practical way to create a space that flows well, feels fresh, and supports a more organised lifestyle.

Whether you're looking to refresh your closet or start a full home clear out decluttering doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

In Brother’s Decluttering Series, we’re diving into some of the most popular decluttering methods and storage solutions to see what really works – and in this post, we're testing out one of the ‘one in, one out’ rule.

To put it to the test, we teamed up with lifestyle influencer and professional organiser Hazel Burton, aka @thehomereset.ie, who’s been transforming her family’s wardrobe using this powerful method.

What is the ‘one in, one out’ method?

The ‘one in, one out’ rule is as straightforward as it sounds: every time you bring a new item into your home, one item must go. Remove the item by donating, recycling, selling, or repurposing it.

This rule curbs impulse shopping by encouraging intentional purchase. Before buying something new, the methods mean you pause to ask: What will I let go of in return?

Over time, this simple habit helps you maintain balance – preventing the overflowing clutter that demands massive clean-outs down the line.

Putting the ‘one in, one out’ rule to the test

Hazel recently applied the ‘one in, one out’ rule to her own wardrobe and her kids’ closets – with impressive results.

By swapping out a handful of occasion dresses for upcoming events and removing items that no longer sparked joy, she was able to free up around 20% of her wardrobe space.

With kids' clothes often piling up quickly, Hazel used the rule to streamline their wardrobes too – clearing out nearly 35% of unused or outgrown items and ensuring each outfit has a purpose by figuring out what is no longer needed.

To take the chaos out of busy mornings and ensure they flow smoothly, Hazel used Brother’s P-touch N10, a custom label printer, to label and organise her children’s outfits by day. The colour-coded labels clearly mark each outfit, making it quicker and easier for the kids to get dressed with less stress.

The label printer connects via Bluetooth and can be controlled from a smartphone, allowing Hazel and her kids to personalise labels from anywhere.

This simple step not only keeps the wardrobe organised but also makes label-making fun for the whole family.

The verdict

Hazel gave the ‘one in, one out’ method an outstanding 10/10, praising its effectiveness in keeping clutter at bay and preventing wardrobes or home storage from getting out of hand.

As you can guess, I loved this method. I would give it 10/10 as an amazing way to stay on top of an organised home.

But more than that, this method has ripple effects – it’s a great way to extend generosity by donating or recycling items you no longer need. It helps reduce waste and gives your once-loved items a second life.

Pro Tip: If your goal isn’t just maintenance but reduction, level up to a ‘one in, three out’ approach for a bigger impact. It’s the perfect way to reset an overflowing space and shift into minimalist mode.

Ready to try it?

If you're looking for a low-stress, high-reward way to declutter this season, the ‘one in, one out’ rule is your secret weapon. Pair it with a tool like the Brother P-Touch N10 label printer and you'll have a system that’s easy to use and even easier to stick with.

Family-friendly tip: The ‘one in, one out’ rule works best if you make it a habit amongst the whole family. Make it a household habit by setting up a clearly marked “donation drop zone” in your home. When everyone knows where to place outgrown clothes or unused items, the decluttering process flows much better.

Click here for other methods in our Decluttering Series, where we’ll explore more declutter tips with Hazel Burton to help you make the most of the season.