Did you know, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, 32 percent of people with two-car garages are only able to park one car inside due to clutter? And the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) says 80 percent of what we keep we never actually use.
Clutter has a way of sneaking up on us, and whether you plan on making it a part of your New Year’s resolution or maybe you just want to get a beat on spring cleaning, a clutter free home is within reach. Here are four can’t-miss ways to make it a reality.
A cluttered home or garage can seem daunting at first and simply getting started might feel terribly overwhelming. Don’t scatter your efforts. Pick one room, break it up into sections and work through one section at a time. This will give you results you can actually see.
And pace yourself while you’re at it. These tips will help you declutter fast, but it is not a race. Rome wasn’t built in a day (and neither was a clutter free home and garage).
To improve the organization of what goes and what stays, try keeping your items relegated to three categories: trash, donate and keep.
If the trash pile turns into a bit more than you bargained for, we can help.
Take a trip down memory lane and pare down these items with a good friend. Working your way through boxes of nostalgia with someone you trust will be helpful at putting things in perspective, keeping you honest and on track.
What’s that old saying, “One person’s clutter is another person’s thrift store jackpot”? Something along those lines.
If you have a box of items ready to donate, put it in your car right now. The next time you’re out, you’ll have a box of donations riding shotgun — it’s the perfect reminder to make a quick stop at your local donation center or charitable drop-box. (Looking for somewhere to take your donation? Goodwill has a locator on its website!) Some donation centers also offer a home pickup service, which means steps toward a clutter free home might be a call away.
And depending on what you’ve donated, a donation receipt could offer up a nice little tax break come tax season.
From old tennis racquets to used pickup truck tires, there’s a good chance pieces and parts of your clutter could make you a little money. Internet resale sites like eBay and Craigslist can be amazing clutter busters, making it easy for any and everyone to sell used personal items locally and nationally.
Have a couple items in mind but not sure it’s worth the hassle? Check out those sites listed above to see what similar items are asking and going for. You might be surprised.
Hosting a garage sale is another viable way to reduce clutter and make some money in the process. Put together a group garage sale with your neighbors to create an even bigger draw for your community.
Take a second to imagine your clutter free home. Feels good, doesn’t it?
Minimizing household clutter comes with many added benefits. The New York State Association of Realtors says that uncluttered homes sell faster and garner higher offers. And NAPO adds that we waste one year of our lives looking for lost items. And let’s not forget the reduction in household dust, mold, trip hazards and fire hazards.
In the end, an uncluttered home can make your life a lot easier and healthier. To become a clutter buster yourself, visit www.bintheredumpthat.com to find a dumpster rental franchise operator nearest you.