One of the most amazing things about being a human being is how fast we can fill our living spaces with clutter. No matter how neat most of us are, we still tend to add more things to our homes than we get rid of. Over the years, this means that we build up an accumulation of things that we don’t need. If you are not naturally a tidy person, this can mean your home becomes a mess in no time. If your home is starting to be overwhelmed with clutter, try these five steps to declutter it in a hurry.
Get Rid of Clothes
One of the easiest ways to clear some clutter out of your home is to get rid of the clothes you no longer need. The best way to do this is to first pull out all the clothes that are ripped, torn or soiled. These you can throw away. Next, select the clothes that are still in good condition but that you no longer wear. These clothes can be given away to your favorite charity. One good place to donate them is Goodwill, which uses the money they make from selling used items to help disadvantaged individuals find employment in the community through training programs. Use this locator to find the nearest Goodwill location in your area.
Get Rid of Multiple Items
Many of us are guilty of holding on to multiple backups of things we don’t really need. For example, there is no reason to hold onto six different iPhone chargers when you only really use one. You don’t really need four different pair of black shoes. That old TV in the garage is never going to be used. Give away these things to Goodwill or sell them to declutter your home.
Don’t Hold onto Junk for Fear of Hurting Someone’s Feelings
If someone gives you a gift that you don’t like, that doesn’t mean you need to hold onto it forever. The most common example of this is wedding gifts. Many couples are afraid to get rid of items they received from guests at their weddings even when they never use them. If that toaster or waffle maker you received is simply gathering dust, give it away to gain back space in your kitchen.
The Three-Year Rule
If there is something in your home that you have not used in three years, the chances are that you will never use it. Get rid of anything in your home that falls into this category. It is better to let someone else have a chance to use these things by giving them away instead of letting them gather dust in your home. This is also something to consider when going through the kitchen cabinets. Often times old cans, and boxes of food will sit in the cupboard for long periods and time, taking up space and possibly damaging the finish. Throw out all old food, and if needed contact someone for kitchen cabinet refinishing.
Clean It Up
While you are getting rid of things you don’t need, it is a great time to clean your home. This is the time to get that carpet cleaning that your home has been needing for a while. You will never have a better opportunity to get your home clean than when you have completely removed all the extra junk from it. This can also mean organizing your kitchen and storing your food items in jars and such as storing dehydrated food. You will be amazed at how fast the clutter starts to pile back up even in your kitchen, and delaying this cleaning means that you will just have to declutter all over again before you start cleaning.
The process of decluttering your home can seem overwhelming at first. Don’t let the job intimidate you. Like any other project, the most important part of getting the job done is simply taking the first step. Once you begin cleaning out the clutter from your home, it will start to have a snowball effect. You will get excited about seeing one area of your home becoming organized, and this will inspire you to declutter the rest of your home. Jump in and begin, and you will be done before you know it.
Get Rid of Clothes
One of the easiest ways to clear some clutter out of your home is to get rid of the clothes you no longer need. The best way to do this is to first pull out all the clothes that are ripped, torn or soiled. These you can throw away. Next, select the clothes that are still in good condition but that you no longer wear. These clothes can be given away to your favorite charity. One good place to donate them is Goodwill, which uses the money they make from selling used items to help disadvantaged individuals find employment in the community through training programs. Use this locator to find the nearest Goodwill location in your area.
Get Rid of Multiple Items
Many of us are guilty of holding on to multiple backups of things we don’t really need. For example, there is no reason to hold onto six different iPhone chargers when you only really use one. You don’t really need four different pair of black shoes. That old TV in the garage is never going to be used. Give away these things to Goodwill or sell them to declutter your home.
Don’t Hold onto Junk for Fear of Hurting Someone’s Feelings
If someone gives you a gift that you don’t like, that doesn’t mean you need to hold onto it forever. The most common example of this is wedding gifts. Many couples are afraid to get rid of items they received from guests at their weddings even when they never use them. If that toaster or waffle maker you received is simply gathering dust, give it away to gain back space in your kitchen.
The Three-Year Rule
If there is something in your home that you have not used in three years, the chances are that you will never use it. Get rid of anything in your home that falls into this category. It is better to let someone else have a chance to use these things by giving them away instead of letting them gather dust in your home. This is also something to consider when going through the kitchen cabinets. Often times old cans, and boxes of food will sit in the cupboard for long periods and time, taking up space and possibly damaging the finish. Throw out all old food, and if needed contact someone for kitchen cabinet refinishing.
Clean It Up
While you are getting rid of things you don’t need, it is a great time to clean your home. This is the time to get that carpet cleaning that your home has been needing for a while. You will never have a better opportunity to get your home clean than when you have completely removed all the extra junk from it. This can also mean organizing your kitchen and storing your food items in jars and such as storing dehydrated food. You will be amazed at how fast the clutter starts to pile back up even in your kitchen, and delaying this cleaning means that you will just have to declutter all over again before you start cleaning.
The process of decluttering your home can seem overwhelming at first. Don’t let the job intimidate you. Like any other project, the most important part of getting the job done is simply taking the first step. Once you begin cleaning out the clutter from your home, it will start to have a snowball effect. You will get excited about seeing one area of your home becoming organized, and this will inspire you to declutter the rest of your home. Jump in and begin, and you will be done before you know it.