It’s summertime! The sun is staying out longer, our souls seem to awaken a little bit earlier in the day. We have a few extra daylight hours—why not declutter!
With kids and pets, garages and attics, chances are, we’ve got a bit more than we need. Closets become overcrowded and garages become a holding place for ‘stuff’ we’ll come back to later. But does later ever come?
We’ve made decluttering a bit easier for you with these simple tips.
- If you haven’t worn it in over a year, get rid of it. Many of us swear that once we lose 20 pounds, we’ll wear that skirt again. After all, you spent more than you should have on it and the guilt you have in getting rid of it seems like a punch in the gut. The truth is, if you haven’t worn it in a year, you probably won’t. Set aside a bag or box to place unused clothing items and donate them to charity. This will free up space for you to buy things you actually fit into and love! At the same time, you can feel good about sharing the items with someone who will be thrilled to have them.
- Reuse containers for pretty storage solutions. Before you toss that empty spaghetti sauce jar into the recycle bin, consider giving it a new life as a storage container. Empty candle jar? Turn it into a clever clutter collector! Glass jars allow you to see what’s inside and provide ways to keep the container closed. After cleaning with soap and water and allowing to dry, fill with odds and ends from your junk drawer (we all have one!) and keep your necessitates like loose change or safety pins in one viewable place!
- Give your makeup bag the once-over! Makeup goes bad. That .99 cent blue eyeshadow you bought in high school can hold your memories, but it can also hold bacteria. According to an article by Healthline, all cosmetics have an expiration date whether they are opened or unopened. If you suspect your makeup is more than three years old, consider tossing it. Do the same with lotions, potions and perfumes that have been gathering more dust than compliments.
- Pass on the paper. For many people, paper seems to be the primary offended when it comes to cluttering up our spaces. Our purses, backpacks and kitchen tables can become catch-alls for junk mail, receipts and bills. Instead of accepting a paper receipt when you’re shopping, opt for an emailed receipt. Almost all banks and financial institutions offer e-statements and some may even incentivize going paperless.
- Maid to order. Finally, if you really want to treat yourself to a clean slate and have a few extra bucks to spare, consider hiring a cleaning service for a few hours. A professional cleaning may help you if you just don’t know quite where to start. Even having someone come and organize a few select spots can help if the task at hand seems just too big to tackle on your own. Getting one room organized just might be the traction you need to tackle your next decluttering task.
Most importantly, don’t be afraid to ask other members of your family to help. You don’t have to take this on all by yourself. Put on some fun music, make a contest or game out of the tasks at hand. Get the kiddos involved in helping organize their own personal spaces. Teaching them to be good stewards of their space and their personal belongings will help everyone find peace and comfort at home.
