The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing

Kondō begins this chapter with straightforward, actionable advice, stating that, when tidying clothing, the following sequence is most effective:

1. Tops
2. Bottoms
3. Clothes that should be hung in the wardrobe
4. Socks
5. Underwear
6. Bags
7. Accessories
8. Special event clothes (uniforms, swimsuits, etc.)
9. Shoes

All the clothes in each category must be gathered and spread across the floor. Next, each item should be handled to decide if it sparks joy. This selection process typically reduces items to one-third or one-quarter of their former volume. Kondō reassures readers not to fear discarding too much. After selecting only what sparks joy, individuals are invariably left with precisely the right amount of clothing. The author advises against relegating items to loungewear, insisting that clothing affects self-image and that even when alone, one should only wear items that spark joy.

Kondō recounts visiting a client who claimed that she did not have sufficient storage space for her clothes, despite owning two large wardrobes. It emerged that the client hung all her clothes in wardrobes due to the belief that this would optimize their condition and prevent wrinkles. Once her clothing was folded, the client realized that she had plenty of storage space.

Kondō argues that wrinkles are created not by folding but by the pressure created when items are piled on top of each other.