Spring is the perfect time to do a little home organization by
decluttering
your life. Decluttering will save you untold hours of time. Each item
you hang on to unnecessarily is a distraction that begs for attention
or needlessly takes up space. Also, someone else may need an item right
now that you are clinging to in the hopes of someday using it. While
purging may be difficult at first, your going to love the freedom of
time and space it creates. Here are fifteen items you should eliminate
right now.
1. Old electronics
Old cell phones, audio equipment, video equipment, gaming systems,
answering machines, fax machines, printers, computers, and all of those
cords, chargers, and connectors that you haven't used for months toss
them. Odds are you have chargers for devices that you got rid of ages
ago. While you are at it toss the related items as well: VHS tapes,
cassette tapes, cases, etc. Check your area for electronic recycling
programs or Best Buy stores recycle electronics nationwide.
2. Past Issues of Magazines
Seriously, how often do you look back at old issues? Toss old
magazines in your recycling bin. If you want to see them repurposed,
call your local school's art department to see if they would like them
for art projects or a local church.
3. Unworn Clothes
Clothing can be tossed, brought to second hand shops, or donated to
charitable clothes closets. If you have very old clothes or something
unique like dance recital costumes, contact a local school or theater.
They love items like these for costumes. Consider finally letting go of
those old prom, homecoming, or bride's maid dresses while you are at
it.
4. Unnecessary Paperwork
Many paper bills are now superfluous as people shift to electronic
statements. For six simple guidelines on what to keep and for how long
click here. You can declutter much paperwork by scanning documents and doing away with the original.
5. Dried Up Pens and Markers
Go through your desk or other drawers toss any marker or pens that
have dried up. While you are at it, get pencils that are so old the
erasers don't work.
6. Books
Unless you are prone to re-reading books, most of the books you have
can likely be given to a local library. Even if they already have them
in their collection, many libraries have book sales to raise monies for
the library program. Any duplicate copy of a book or old phone book
needs to go. Also, if you don't use your new phone book, let it go too.
7. Out of date medications
Inventory your medicine cabinet and purge expired medications. This
should include both non-prescription and prescription medications. Some
medicines lose their efficacy over time or can cause an adverse
reaction.
8. Board Games Missing Pieces
This includes jigsaw puzzles missing pieces as well. If you're never
going to play a game because it is incomplete there is no good reason
to hang on to it.
9. Expired Foods
Scour the recesses of three places when you are purging expired
foods: your refrigerator, pantry cabinets, and freezer. You might also
want to go through your spices. Many spices lose their fresh flavor
over times.
10. Old Makeup
Many cream products break down after six months and some cosmetic
products like mascara can be a bacteria threat after three months.
Include in your makeup purging old bottles of nail polish.
11. Old Pillows
A broken down pillow can contribute to poor sleep if it isn't giving
you the support you need. One easy test you can perform to check if a
pillow is ready to be tossed is to fold it in half. If it stays folded
when you let go, it's well past its lifespan. Toss it out.
12. Old Towels
Do you have a linen closet littered with threadbare towels that you
would never want company to see? You can toss these towels or bring
them to a local animal shelter. They will be delighted to take them off
of your hands.
13. Old Cans of Paint
Paint cans eventually rust resulting in air seeping into the can.
The paint skims over or dries out when this happens. Contact your local
garbage collection agency to find out how to properly dispose of paint
or other chemicals. Paints over time can take up an inordinate amount
of cabinet space that you could use for better home organization.
14. Old Greeting Cards
Are you sitting on boxes of old Christmas, birthday, and anniversary
cards? Keeping a few noteworthy ones might be good, but most of those
cards can likely go and you will never miss them. If you would like to
give Christmas cards a new life, go to this link for
seventeen christmas card craft projects.
15. Unmatched Items
Socks, gloves, or plastic containers missing lids should just be
tossed unless you are going to immediately repurpose them for something
else.
Apply it...
What if you tackled one of these suggestions everyday until you were
through the entire list? Your home organization would dramatically
improve with just this small investment in decluttering your home.
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