A&E and TLC shock viewers with their hoarders series, but the truth is we all have a room in our house full of stuff. Stuff crammed in boxes, scattered, and possessing few labels. Tackling this clutter, whether it’s in your attic, basement, or spare bedroom, will make you feel a million times better. Here’s how to get started.
Positive Frame of Mind
Let’s face it, the storage space in your home might be the biggest de-cluttering job, so don’t get overwhelmed. Marcia Ramsland, author of Simplify your Space , says if it’s been a while since you’ve cleaned your basement you might find plenty of items that are ready to move on to a new home or to the trash bin. Go into this task with a positive frame of mind and try not to be overly sentimental when sorting your clutter. Remember to give yourself a time limit to prevent burnout.
Keep, Donate and Toss
Remember the Three box rule. As you go through your clutter designate items as “Keep,” “Donate,” or “Toss.” Making a decision about your stuff will make your progress so much sweeter. When you decide what items you’re keeping re-pack them into plastic containers to protect them from moisture.
The 12 Month Rule
A good rule of thumb is: if you haven’t used it in the last 12 months you won’t use it in the future. When in doubt ask yourself these questions: Do I use/ need this? When did I last use it? Will I use it again? If your answers are “no,” “can’t remember,” and “no” then toss it.
Don’t Make Excuses
If you’re holding on to old cribs, playpens and bottles, hoping to one day wipe the dust off them and welcome your grandchild, think again. Safety standards will have changed by then and those items will be obsolete. If you spend more time creating reasons why you should keep an item you should toss it.
Hazardous Materials
Not everything can be tossed in the trash. If you come across paint, paint thinner, polyurethane, varnish or other potentially hazardous waste set them aside. These materials require special disposal, so contact your local hazardous waste collection program for more information.
Become a Label Diva
There is nothing more frustrating than trying to find something and not knowing where it is. Ramsland says labeling your boxes is as simple as grabbing a sharpie marker and some index cards. Make big labels for your boxes so you can easily spot them.
Gather and Group
Round up all your newly labeled boxes and group them according to use or season. This will make it easier to find all your ghoulish decorations for Halloween or your summer sports equipment.
Shelf It!
Install some shelving to help keep your stuff sorted. Place all items you’re not going to “use” but want to keep (such as photo albums, heirlooms etc.) on a top shelf and put all the seasonal items in an easily accessible place. Items being stored for less than six months can be placed in cardboard boxes, but anything being stored longer than six months should be placed in a plastic container, according to Ramsland.
Other Clutter
Your house should only contain your items; it’s not a storage zone for other peoples stuff. If you come across other people’s clutter, set it aside and have the owner go through it later. All borrowed items should be returned to their owner, and if your kids have moved out, ask them to pick up the rest of their stuff.
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I don’t like clutter, so I make it a point to purge once a year. Purging of stuff to me is like a cleansing process. I love the tip on – your house should only contain YOUR items. Never looked at it this way. It so true, why should you hold on to other people’s stuff… in other words, other people’s clutter.
I don't like clutter, so I make it a point to purge once a year. Purging of stuff to me is like a cleansing process. I love the tip on – your house should only contain YOUR items. Never looked at it this way. It so true, why should you hold on to other people's stuff… in other words, other people's clutter.