I never have much problem weeding out the clothing part of 'cloth' in my house.
I don't have a lot of clothing, I don't much like clothing or fashion, so when it gets old and worn out, out it goes, and I don't have lots to worry about there.
The linens are another thing totally! OP touched on the main reason I have too much. The quality of linens in the last couple of decades, and especially the last decade, has fallen tremendously. I can't even begin to buy the quality of sheets and towels that I did when I first set up housekeeping in about 1980. For that reason, when I do find something good (and oftentimes that is second hand linens at thrift stores and estate auctions) I tend to stock up.
Right now, our house consists of two queen size beds, and one twin in the guest room that no one ever uses. For the twin, I have one set of flannel sheets, and one set of regular sheets, two mattress pads, and several blankets. Two sets of quilts and shams (identical as I love it so much I wanted a spare for when the first wore out). The problem is I still have a couple of older comforters for that bed, and they are in such good shape, I don't get rid of them. I keep thinking that some day, my kid will move out, and might need them, or they'd be good padding blankets for moving something, or good picnic blankets when the current ones wear out. And so it goes, the justifying of keeping, because it is still good, might need it in the future, or someone else might need it and I could never replace the quality or the price.
For the queen beds, I have the linens divided. My son's room has one set of flannel sheets, and two sets of regular sheets. He is very hard on sheets, as he uses some medication on his acne that stains/discolors the pillowcases and sheets, So his linens look rather yuck, but I don't want to ruin even more, so I just keep rotating his three sets of sheets, and when some of ours for the master get a little weak, I throw away his worst set, and give him that one from ours. He also has two quilt/sham sets for his bed, again both alike. One is being used, the other still new. Again, they match the decor of the room so well, that I wanted a spare for when the first wore out. He never uses a blanket on his bed, as it makes him too hot.
The master queen has way too many sheets, but I justify the four sets of flannels, and 6 sets of regulars because they can always be backup use for son's bed, or the queen size hide a bed sofa in the living room should we need it for guests. I have at least six really nice blankets for the master bed as well as three different quilt/sham sets for that room. Just as a reference, I still have a comforter set for the master room, that I've had for over 25 years. It is still in excellent condition, was purchased at Penney's and I never see anything of that quality made today. It still matches the room's decor, and I can't bear to part with it, even though it doesn't get used as much as the others.
The towels fill several shelves in my regular linen closet, and many I have had since the early 80's and 90's. They are still in very good shape because I have rotated them, and have had so many that they don't get long or heavy use. If I had to guess, there area probably 50 bath towels at least in the house, more hand towels than that, and even more washcloths. I have some that match the bathroom's decors, and many that we just use on a daily basis that aren't matching anything.
Worn out towels get used as rags, and worn out sheets and blankets go to the vet's office as they need them for the animals that stay after surgery and when sick. They appreciate getting those things, but it is funny that I couldn't get the local dog shelter to take them.
My son will be leaving home in the next few years, and I don't weed out my linens further because I know I will hand off a good portion of what is here to him when he leaves. I can't see getting rid of them, just to help him replace them at today's costs and quality when he does leave.
I've been eyeing my blanket/throw rug closet and knowing I have to tackle it again soon. Something has to go (more than one or two something), so thanks for the reminder to get moving.
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