Keeping Up With The Clutter

Face it – busy lives lead to clutter. The bigger your family, the more pets, the more visitors, the bigger the mess. It’s not all bad. An active family is a happy family—those visitors, events, and flurries of activity all create memories that will last for lifetimes. The flip side, of course, is that sometimes things just get out of hand. What to do? Get your arms around the clutter by establishing some simple steps to help your home stay clutter-free, even in the midst of a myriad of family and friends.

For example:

  • Family rules. Set up rules for your family and require everyone to follow them. For instance, when you use a glass, plate or utensils, you rinse them and put them in the dishwasher as soon as you’re done with them. No leaving these things lying around the house on tables in various rooms.
  • Clean as you go. If you take care of cleaning up on a regular basis, the clutter won’t pile up. Make it easy by storing cleaning cloths and products near where messes are made—e.g. in the bathroom.
  • A place for everything and everything in its place. It’s an old saying, but a practical one. When you use something put it away where it belongs. Not only will this relieve clutter, but it can help you avoid lost items as well.
  • Don’t need/want an item anymore? Donate it to us! Keep boxes and bins handy (and tucked away in closets) where you can put items you no longer need or want. When the box is filled, contact us and we’ll come and take it off your hands. Your donations go to help our veterans!

Still feeling like you just can’t keep up with the clutter that seems to magically emerge around you? Here’s some advice from Real Simple about how to avoid “The Top 6 Excuses for Clutter.” Which of these do you fall prey to?

Do you have additional tips that have helped you and your family keep your active home clutter-free? Share them here!

Make Way for Your Spring Wardrobe!

After long, cold winter months, it’s easy to tear into your shorts and T-shirts at the first sign of spring. But, before you pack away those thick coats and sweaters, and exchange your boots for flats and flip-flops, stop. Spring days, and even summer evenings, can be chilly so you want to avoid packing away all of your sweatshirts and cardigans too soon.

So, how do you manage a closet that basically has four seasons of outfits in it? First, you need to determine what you wear and what you don’t. How long has it been since you wore that sweater? What about the fashion scarves that haven’t been outside of your closet in a while? Do you really need four winter coats, or is there one you don’t wear anymore?

The first rule of helping your different seasonal items coexist in your closet is to ask yourself these questions. If an article of clothing doesn’t fit, or you haven’t worn it in months (or years!), then it’s time to get rid of it in order to make room for clothes you actually wear. Better yet, if these items of clothing are in good shape, don’t throw them away. Donate them to ClothingDonations.org! Visit our website to schedule a donation pickup time. Then, put your clothes in a bag or box marked “for donation, ” and place the bag by your mailbox. We’ll drive by to pick it up for you!

Have you already donated clothes from your closet but are still struggling to find space? Look for alternative storage ideas! We suggest looking for storage options that fit under your bed. Thin, Rubbermaid containers for sweaters or shoe organizers that can fit in small spaces are great for making your closet feel less cramped, while also keeping your belongings organized and out of sight.

If it doesn’t fit, donate it!

Sporting equipment, practice clothes, or a regular springtime wardrobe, it doesn’t matter. If something doesn’t fit or it’s no longer being worn or used, donate it! If you donate clothes, sports equipment, or other items to ClothingDonations.org, you help support our veterans programs! Simply go online, schedule a donation pickup time, and we’ll take care of the rest!