Okay…I know I’m not alone. Everyone loves to have plenty of closet space, correct? Honest truth is pretty much no one wants to clean them. (yes, I’m pointing at you. tee hee) Today, I’m going to show you how to refresh, organize and get a deep down closet spring cleaning. Yes, it can be done AND even be fun. This is my closet “before” that is about to explode with dirty laundry and all!
*post is sponsored by HomeRight (see full disclosure)
When you look into your over-stuffed closet, you may think you’re looking at mission impossible. Honestly though it’s easy and goes faster than you think once you get started. “Getting started” are the key words and motivation to get this project underway.
DIY TIME
My hall closet is where I store my skirts, dresses, and a few other items. It’s been a while since I’ve done a thorough cleaning and this is the last closet in our house to get painted since we moved in 15 years ago. I actually promised this job to one of my kids as that’s how I let them earn a bit and a closet is the best place to learn how to paint. When I stared paint crew back in the day, all the newbies were sent to the closets, including me. More often then not you got more paint on yourself then you did the walls, but hey…we learn.
To make this whole project easier to show you, I created this video showing how I not only sorted things out, but also used a handy new toy tool that I have added to my must have list. Stick around as you’ll get a chance to win one of your own HomeRight PaintStick EZ-Twist. Woot!
Wasn’t that fun? Goes so fast and the fact that I was done in a day is amazing for me. For those that maybe can’t view the video, I’ve written the steps out to help you too.
STEP 1
First, begin by emptying your closet setting the contents aside to deal with at a later time. Once empty, give it a thorough cleaning both on the floors and edges and wipe down the walls. Also, remove any fixtures like clothing rods, shelving, and hardware that would either get in your way or you don’t want to get painted (door knobs, hangers, etc). Check it out…I found this note on the back edge of my closet door that has been there since 1952. Crazy cool, huh?
STEP 2
In order to prep the closet to use your PaintStick EZ-Twist, you need to cut in all the places that your roller would not be able to reach. Since my closet is made up of 2 x 4’s and plywood, I use my beefy brush to cut in. This works amazing to hold plenty of paint and does not leave brush strokes to help in the smooth finish we’re after.
STEP 3
Now it’s time to get rolling. Begin by assembling your PaintStick EZ-Twist following the instructions provided. It’s simple and only takes a minute.
Insert the fill tube provided into your paint can and clip to the side. I’m using a white eggshell for my closet, but you can choose any color and sheen to suit your desires.
STEP 4
Time to fill your PaintStick EZ-Twist. Simply hold your paint stick across your paint can at a 45 degree angle lining up the paint valve to the fill tube and then press down the valve onto the fill tube. Unlock the the toggle switch in the handle to the upright position and begin to siphon the paint out of the can and into the stick by pulling the inner handle out. It make take more than one try to prime the filler tube and remove all air. Simply empty your paint stick back into the can and begin siphoning again until your paint stick is full.
Your roller nap will need primed before you’re ready to roll. To prime, push your inner handle in slowly to send paint into the roller nap. It make take a half of a filled stick to get the nap primed, but once you do, you’re good to go for the entire project.
Adjust your splatter shield to deflect any spattering that may occur. Roll in small intervals making “V” shaped passes, and then feather out your layers by lightly rolling back over to blend it all in.
STEP 6
When you have completed your first coat, let it cure for at least two hours and then repeat steps for a second coat. After completing the entire closet, it’s easy to clean up. Just reattach valve to the fill tube and empty your paint stick back into the can. Rinse and clean the paint stick by taking it apart and filling a bucket or utility tub with warm water. Attach the fill tube to the bucket or tub and siphon the clean water in and out of the paint stick to rinse it clean. Disassemble the tube and rinse clean as well as the rest of the parts until water runs clear. Let air dry.
Before reloading your closet, let the paint cure overnight or longer. This is the time when you can sort through all the items you pulled out giving them a thorough assessment. I don’t have a hot mess, do I?
Does the clothing still fit or suit your style…have you worn it in the last year? I like to donate my unwanted clothing to a local shelter. Remove any other items no longer need, and then only put back what you really want to keep.
FINISHED
Here it is all done and ready for me to put my stash back in.
Here’s one of my keepers…a vintage handmade prairie dress. I’ve used to for dress-up times, but think it’s beautiful to wear any old day.
Or how about this? I found this name brand Saga skirt new with tags a few weeks ago…for my grunge days. haha. I actually shop clothing and accessories to resell too. It’s amazing what you can find!
Check out the price tag…$124! {{gasp}} I paid $2.99. I like it’s funky style, so it stays with me for now as it goes with the knee-high black Chucks I just scored too. wahoo!!
My closet spring cleaning is not only done in day, but also refreshed and ready to go with a new coat of paint. It feels so good!
GIVEAWAY TIME
Okay, that’s enough about me and my closet. How about I give away THREE of these awesome HomeRight PaintStick EZ-Twists to three of you?? {{happy dance}} I’m so happy to empower you to organize, update, and in the DIY spirit. Easy entry – just complete as many entries as you like, daily even. Open to U.S. and Canada residents 18 years of age and older. Winner will be notified by email and will have 24 hours to reply. BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR SPAM SO YOU DON’T MISS OUT! GIVEAWAY CLOSED.
Do pin and share my closet spring cleaning done in no time. We all can use a little inspiration.
Up next, my oldest daughter, Miss C, is going to be giving this Art Deco chest of drawers a fresh update. See the after HERE.
To get these DIY tips & tricks in your inbox, be sure to sign up for my newsletter. PLUS, you will get your FREE Furniture Buying Checklist and special discount to my shop. Until next time!
More projects like my closet spring cleaning:
Home RIGHT EZ Twist Paint Stick is just what I need to repaint my hallway and living room! It would make my much needed chore a breeze!!!
Yay! I seriously can’t wait to get more done in our home with it.
I used the paint stick to paint my house. It’s stucco and painting was a breeze with the paint stick.
Yes! I redid our exterior all by myself and would have loved to have this thing.
This looks like just the tool to have for painting the house, which I desperately need to do.
I hear ya. I did ours by brush and roller a few years ago and it nearly killed me. hahaha!
Another great makeover Larissa! Cute skirt and a great score. 🙂 The vintage prairie dress is beautiful, love the color and lace.
While I don’t need a paint stick, I do enjoy seeing how well it worked for you.
Thanks! Fun to share and get my projects done.
I need to paint my main floor. Every room runs into the next…kitchen, dining, living and the stairs going up! This would seriously help.
Ooh…it sure would be nice to have one. Hope you win!
I’m moving so who knows what i will find to paint! lol nice job!
Wahoo!! Hope it all goes well for you.
We are finishing a large 2 story gambrel roof barn on our farm to live in. I’m positive we could use one of these to finish the barn, then we’d use it to paint the tiny old farmhouse for family and friends to visit.
Wow!That is so awesome. I will come visit! 😀
What a wonderful tool! It would be a great way to help my daughter paint her new to her home!
You’re an awesome mom!
Looks much easier than dragging out the step ladder to reach each section of the wall. I paint a lot, would love it!
Amen to that! 😀
Wow. Just in time. We are planning to paint our kitchen wall. This tool looks amazing. Going to give it a try. Thanks Larissa, the tutorial was great ?
Yay!! If you don’t happen to win, they are super affordable too.
I actually have a closet that I need to paint. I’d love to try it out!
Yay! Great minds procrastinate alike! hahahaha… 😉
Wow! The Home RIGHT EZ Twist Paint Stick is amazing! I recently painted my hall and foyer and still have to the living room and dining room. I’ve been putting it off because the mess. The paint stick would be great for this big job! Thanks so much for sharing.
I can’t wait till summer when we get other rooms done lickety split. Woot!
OH, that paint stick looks like a perfect thing for all the remodeling we’re doing on our old house. Small spaces and that paint stick would make life so much easier.
I’m not kidding. Game changer!!
My closet definitely needs a spring cleaning but I desperately need to paint my bathroom and would use the HomeRight paint stick in there first!
Sounds like a plan! 😀
Love it! I’d paint over my 1999 taupe/beige front hallway.
haha! Did you notice mine. ahem. 😉
I would start in my hallway, then living room, a bedroom, another bedroom… This painting tool would be great to have!
It sure would! Hope you win, Ginny. 😀
Painting is just one of the many tasks we have to tackle between our 93 year old home or the Military Christian Center my husband and I work at. The projects seem endless! I would love to give this tool a try!
Wonderful! Wish I could send one to everyone.
The closet looks great Larissa! I would use the paint stick for my vaulted ceiling! I love the prairie dress, the color is beautiful. That skirt and knee high chucks, what fun!
I’m an eclectic kinda girl all the way. haha… Thanks!
That nifty paint stick tool really totally worked, and your how-to video was really well done. I look forward to reading about your projects as they are full of common sense, practical tips.
Thanks! The videos are much work, but really get what I’m trying to say done better.
I think the HomeRight paint stick would be ideal for painting the ceiling in my walk-in closet…and the walls…and the laundry room…oh the ideas keep coming!!!
You have the greatest giveaways.
Yahoo!! That’s the spirit!
Love this tool. I could use it for a few ceilings that need re-done! Thanks, Larissa.
Oh I have so got to get to my closets!!! I would love this tool – it makes painting so easy – even the ceilings!!!
I wish we’d had one of these when we painted the living room. Now you’ve inspired me to paint my closet!! So I would paint my bedroom closet. I’ve always wanted to paint it blue.
I found the video very helpful. Thanks for sharing. I would like to have one to paint my basement. Really needs it!
I’m so happy to hear it. Thanks! I would have loved this when I painted ours. Woot!
The roller system looks amazing! I really want to try it for my next painting project. Thanks for the chance to win.
I was truly impressed as this was my first try using it in the video. So cool!
What a cute skirt and a steal! Thank you for introducing me to this tool. I believe that I need this. ???
So fun! I was happy to find it and thought at least my daughter’s would love it too. My pleasure!
Larissa, of course, I love your newly painted closet! It makes me aware that my own closet could use a refreshing coat of paint too! That would be my first project using this!
Awesome! I couldn’t believe I had waited so long to get it done. Yay!
I would use the paint stick to paint my ceilings
Perfect!
It feels so refreshing to get a long “put-off” task like this done. Kudos!
Oh my yes! Now to finish the rest of the house and go on vacation. haha!
Ahhhh, nothing like a clean closet. You feel like you have nothing to hide. : ) I need to paint a closet AFTER I build/install a shelving system, but I also have a bedroom that needs repainting (you know how kids peel the paint off the wall it there’s the tiniest chip? Yeah, they can strip down an amazing amount before they realize what they’ve done…), and I reeeeally need to touch up all the main living areas that are chipped/scrubbed off/scratched. It’s a fast job (all the same color) JUST as long as I use the right sheen! One time I touched up SEVEN eggshell rooms with semigloss… Not good! : ) Hey, now that I think about it, our family is going to be repainting large quantities of our church’s 20-year-old paint job! Looooots of paint in my near future!
Nice job with your closet!
YESSSS! Mine did that to one bedroom we rolled with walls with topping joint compound…ugh. At least you’re willing to give it a try. High five!
As always I love what you do. I would need 4x that closet space! LOL
haha…Keeps me from having too much. I do have part of another closet and a cupboard, but that’s it. Woot!
I plan to get this paintstick to do my dining room… but I wouldn’t mind another! Great invention!
haha! I love it. You will have a blast! 😀
I’d do my powder room it’s ready for an updating!!
Sounds like a perfect place!
We still need to paint three bedrooms in our house, and this “magic wand” would come in handy!
It sure would! I wish I had one for everyone.
I have a lot of rooms to paint in this old house. I would love to start with the master bedroom. Wish I could wave a wand and have it done.
Hopefully you can! And if you don’t win one they are really affordable.
I’ve always wanted to try one, but have been afraid to commit by buying one! 🙂
Now is the time, girl!
One’s closet can be a scary place !!!! ha ha !!!!!!! Nice job. That looks like a great tool !
bwahahaha!! You are so right. It sure is!
I’ve used a paint stick before and they are really great. Since pretty much my entire home needs painting it would get a workout.
I feel the same. haha!
You continue to inspire me to try any project
That’s what it’s all about for me, Rhonda. Thank you!
WOW! I need one of those paint sticks. Looks like a great invention to me. Always enjoy your blog and thanks for the giveaway.
I was skeptical, but really it made me go much faster.
I love the skirt and paint stick seems amazing and a time saver
Thanks! It really impressed me. 😀
OH I so need to win that!! Thanks for the contest.
I hope you do, Mary! 😀
Thank you for this post! I’ve always wondered if/how the paint stick works 🙂
You bet!
What an improvement to your closet — not sure I’ve ever seen one quite like it! Looks like the paint stick is such a handy and time saving tool, and hats off to you for your finesse in being able to use it successfully in such a confined space!
Thanks! Me neither. haha. I had never used until the video, so I was hoping it would go well. I was so impressed!
It’s hard to keep closets clean when you love to buy more clothes and shoes all the time. Seems every year we have to donate a big bag just to stay organized.
Truth! I mainly shop thrift stores, so I have fun swapping out and giving to shelters.