Happy Spring Clearing!

Clear to clean.

Decluttering is the first step in any organizing project. It is also the first step of Spring cleaning.

Why? Because decluttering shows you what you have remaining and therefore what you have to organize. In the process of decluttering we open up the space (sometimes seeing the back of the cabinet or floor of the closet for the first time in a very long time) which allows you to clean in the process.

Also, having a lower inventory of items in a home makes it easier to manage and clean, saving time and energy in the future.

Here are a few things to consider to maximize your big clear.

Common Area

Quickly return everything to it’s ‘home’. Think of your items like a Roomba and put them back in their charging station. Common areas can become the repository for items that should be in other rooms. To stay in the room you are working in (and not get sidetracked with ”why did I come in here?”) place those items into a “goes elsewhere” bin or box, then once done in the common area, take that box and empty the items into their respective homes or rooms. If you can’t find a home for the item, get rid of it. 

Bathroom

Bathrooms can become overwhelming quick. We like to collect samples and try new shampoos, etc. Start by removing trash then put everything away that has a home.

If you’re finding duplicates of items, congratulations, you have twins! Is it back stock or something you bought in bulk and don’t really like? If you haven’t used it in the last 6 months or don’t really like it, let it go.

Got some old or funky towels laying around that you’d be afraid to show company, repurpose them and let them join in this Spring clearing event by turning them into rags.

Kitchen

Change is the only constant in the kitchen. Gadgets and appliances rotate on and off the countertops as well as all the other stuff. Start by sorting through utensils and removing things you haven’t used (banana peeler much?). Small gadgets you purchased, but haven’t used since it was first taken from the box or maybe it’s still in the box!? That’s next, along with your other small kitchen appliances. If something performs a duplicate function, consider letting go of one. If you haven’t used it in the last 12 months, then get rid of it. Assign homes to what remains.

Also, don’t keep things out of obligation, no matter who gave it to you. This applies to items found in any room but occurs often with kitchen items, right?

Bedrooms

Items in this room are the last thing you see at night and the first thing you see when you wake up. Start with surfaces like bedside tables and dressers by removing any trash. Then decide what you need and use on these surfaces and finally, what decorations you want to keep and look at (first and last part of your day) then remove all else.

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A major component of spring cleaning is decluttering. Let go of items you don’t use and don’t love and create homes for everything that remains. A home with less inventory is easier to clean. When items have designated, clear homes, it takes less time to put them back.

Happy clearing!