What 15 things can you quickly and easily declutter? These things will take a short amount of time and give you a great feeling when you let go of them. These 15 things are a great start to create more space in your closets, cupboards and possibly give you the push you need to tackle more down the road.
ENTERTAINMENT:
- Books – This is probably a very difficult item for many. Often we have a sentimental attachment to certain novels or children’s book that bring back memories. Select just a few of your favorite books and give them a prominent spot on display. This will allow you to really enjoy them. Most books can be downloaded with a streaming service or stored on your kindle. I used to have great intention when I would go to the book sales. Instead of the books being something I enjoyed, they took up space and made me feel guilty.
- Sporting Equipment or Games – What are the current interests and hobbies in your home? Do you have sport equipment or games that you no longer use? Are they taking up valuable space in your closets or garage? Check-out https://www.playitagainsports to sell your used sporting equipment and get cash or store credit.
CLOSETS:
- Blankets and Towels – Declutter towels that do not match your décor, are worn or that you no longer use. Check in with your local animal shelter or vet to see if they can use them. This type of donation can be used for bedding in the cages. These types of donations cut expenses and give the animals a soft comfortable bed while recouping or waiting for their forever home.
- Totes and Bags – How many free bags are hiding in your coat closet? Yes, there are a lot of cute reusable bags, but admit you don’t remember to take them to the stores and you have more than you can use. Weed them out and only keep a very few. Use your extra bags to fill the things that you are planning to donate. The donation center will appreciate them more than you will use them.
KITCHEN:
- Tupperware/Storage Containers – Empty out the cupboards that house all of you storage containers. Put like kinds together and all lids in another pile. Match up all your containers to their lids. No Lid? It Goes!! Then depending on your space store the containers with their lids on or stack containers together and the lids together in a bin to coral them and keep them from getting lost.
- Glasses and Mugs – We all know that cupboards get overstuffed with these items. How many mismatched glasses and World’s Greatest Mom Mugs do you need? Keep only those that feel great in your hand and keep your drinks hot or cold as needed. Keep Calm and Let Go!
- Expired Refrigerated Food – Pull everything out of your refrigerator. It does not take that long and you will be surprised how much has gone bad and needs to be thrown out. Pull the drawers out and wipe down the entire refrigerator. Check every item before you put it back. You will be amazed at what you find, especially the condiments. Cleaning out your refrigerator before grocery shopping you can easily see what you have and only purchase what you need.
- Spices – according to McCormick: Vanilla, extract and salt last almost indefinitely, whole spices generally last 3 to 4 years and most other spices start to lose their potency in 2 to 3 years. Ok, go ahead and throw out the bottles that have traveled with you over the past 10 years. No one is judging.
PAPER AND ELECTRONICS
- Receipts – Is your wallet thick from all the cash and cards you have or is it stuffed with outdated receipts? Most will be easy to throw away but be sure to set aside anything that you need for your taxes. As my friend Tammy would say…. Be sure to tuck that future ticket money back into your wallet …. You never know when those red and blue lights will show up in your rearview mirror.
- Delivery Menus – These used to be very handy….. Before the internet! These no not need to exist in YOUR kitchen. They fill numerous spaces in your kitchen, are out of date and are never where you can find them.
- Emails – We know that inboxes get overwhelming. Each day spend a couple of minutes going through new emails that have come in. Be sure to unsubscribe to any junk that comes in, you can re-subscribe at a later date if needed.
HEALTH AND BEAUTY:
- Expired and Unused Makeup – We all have those “mistakes” that we purchased, but because of the money spent we find it difficult to throw them out. It is the wrong shade, isn’t waterproof or it just isn’t what you thought. Like spices, makeup does expire. Most expire within a couple of years from purchase. Mascara and eyeliner should be tossed within three months. Keep your eyes safe and your guilt to a minimum and just throw them.
- Styling Tools and Products – Do you have blow-dryers, irons , hair accessories or products that you tried but no longer use? Tools can be donated. Products lose their potency after three years so give them to a friend or count it as a loss and toss them out.
New Habits:
When you open up your mail be sure to immediately drop any junk mail into the recycle bin. Never allow junk mail to come into your home. The rest of the mail should be sorted into files. Most of your mail can fit into three categories: Bills to Pay, Items to File or Future Items to handle.
Future Declutter: Christmas Decorations
If you got through the list above think about a declutter for the month of December. Do you remember all those decorations you didn’t use? The serving trays that just didn’t work? Maybe they just aren’t your style any more. Tastes and needs change over the years. Don’t feel guilty about donating the decorations that you bought for your first apartment or getting rid of the homemade paper angels. Your will appreciate that you held on to them, but will be happy for you to let them go.
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