If we’ve followed the corkscrew test in our kitchens, we’ve culled those objects that only serve one, hyper-specific purpose.
The corkscrew test is just three simple questions, adapted from Sam Bennett's work at The Organized Artist:
Is there an alternative to the tool that would work just as well?
Do you do that job so frequently that your life would be markedly easier with that specific tool?
Is the tool challenging to store or to keep clean?
For me, a corkscrew is worth keeping because there’s no truly great alternative, I open wine frequently enough to warrant having it, and it’s ridiculously easy to keep in working order. An avocado tool doesn’t pass, because a knife works fine and is much more versatile.
We can apply this test to other domains in our home. Let’s examine our closets for hyper-specific uses and see if each item passes the corkscrew test 2.0:
Is there an alternative to the article of clothing that would work just as well?
Do we have occasion to wear that item so frequently that life would be markedly easier with it?
Is the item challenging to wear, to store, to keep in working order, to keep clean?
I’ve used this test to donate:
A flimsy dress that was appropriate only for a very casual winter occasion that I’d more likely choose to attend in a warm sweater and pants because of, you know, winter
One dry-clean only black cardigan that wasn’t significantly different from my machine washable black cardigan
A pair of work pants that only looked good with heels (which I don’t ever wear to work)
A clutch that wasn’t formal enough for special occasions, but not convenient enough (e.g. had no strap, small capacity) for everyday use
This test a great way to do an initial closet declutter, but it also makes sense when we’re weeding our belongings to align our homes with our current lives. If an outfit has a very specific use, and our lives have evolved past that use, the outfit can go.
When our clothing is versatile, then we don’t feel like we have a closet filled with clothes and nothing to wear, and we don’t feel like we have to go out and buy new stuff.