A Dad’s Guide to Decluttering

Father’s Day is June 15, and — like most people — #dads sometimes need a little help with #decluttering. Whether they’re #minimalists when it comes to extra #stuff or irrepressible #packrats, there’s always room to streamline.

Of course, every dad is different. Some are juggling family, kids and career in starter homes with little space to spare, and others may be dealing with the weight of a lifetime of accumulated paperwork and other #stuff post-retirement.

His hobbies will have an effect on the level of #clutter. If Dad is a woodworker, mechanic or tinkerer, he may have hundreds of tools and parts to #organize. He may even have duplicates! Help him sort out his favorites — the ones that really get used — and #donate or sell the rest.

If he’s an avid athlete, sportsman or musician, he will probably have more than one piece of specialized equipment that takes up a lot of space when not in use. And even if Dad just likes to read or listen to music, chances are he has a lot of accumulated books, papers and media.

Young dads with kids may not have as much stuff of their own, but struggle to keep the family #organized. Brooklyn’s Tidy Dad believes that #decluttering, #cleaning and #organizing responsibilities should be shared in a household, since everyone contributes to the #clutter and mess.

His advice? Know what makes a space seem #messy and #cluttered. Reassess the “hypothetical someday” to determine what’s really in use. Find a balance of possessions, space and everyday life. Schedule #decluttering on the calendar. And make #tidying tasks manageable and routine.

Ultimately, he says, #tidying is more than decluttering — it’s a way to create space for every part of your life. Young or old, the idea is for dads to have “just enough” #stuff and systems in place to make it easy to maintain an equilibrium.

Once you’ve helped Dad declutter, tidy up and organize, contact ClothingDonations.org for a #free #donation #pickup. He’ll be happy you helped, and in turn, happy to help the nation’s #veterans with his donation. #DadsDecluttering

Decluttering Can Be a Great Summer Project

One #household project that’s good to perform no matter what the season is #decluttering. Outdoors or indoors, rain or shine, your #home life will be healthier and less stressful if you don’t have a bunch of #junk you don’t need in the way of the #stuff that you use. Taks advantage of the warm summer weather to clean the #garage — or use a rainy day to #organize the basement. You’ll probably find lots of old #clothing, tchotchkes and other things you don’t really need that you can #donate to ClothingDonations.org. Call or click for a #free #pickup, and contribute those items to fund valuable #veterans programs! #SummerProjects

Summer Is a Great Time to Renovate the Kitchen

#Summer is a great time to do a #kitchen renovation, LifeHacker says, because you can cook food on the outdoor grill for a week or two while the new appliances go in or schedule most of the work while you’re out of town on a road trip. Other good projects to get started on now include #outdoor living renovations (to make the most of the nice weather) such as a deck and heating maintenance (so your furnace is ready when you need it most). Projects you won’t want to tackle under the hot summer sun include roofing and flooring projects. #SummerProjects

Complete Summer Outdoor Living Projects Now

Concentrate on #household projects in late spring and early #summer that will make the most of your outdoor space. #DIY a bench, deck or fire pit in a weekend and add to your home’s entertainment appeal, or build a planter or vegetable garden that will pay off with fresh food, herbs and flowers for months to come. “What’s the use of balmy weather and long summer days if you can’t hang out in your yard and have some fun?” asks This Old House. “If there’s nowhere good to sit and nothing fun to do at your house, don’t fret. Summer is the perfect time to tackle some easy DIY projects that can transform your outdoor space.” #SummerProjects

Finish Painting Projects Before Summer

Some #household projects can be complicated by the #summer #heat, says The Spruce, so tackle them now or you may have to hold off until fall. For example, it’s best to complete painting jobs before the outside air gets too hot. On indoor jobs, you’ll want to open windows for ventilation, but paint won’t dry properly if the air is too hot and humid, and relying on air conditioning to do the drying can damage HVAC units. Similarly, exterior paints and stains should be applied within a certain temperature range — generally 50°F to 85°F — to adhere properly. #SummerProjects