“A bag a day keeps the clutter away,” according to the Inspired Room blog. Author Melissa Michaels’ 12-month plan offers a systematic method of ridding your home of unwanted stuff. “Only keep what you actually use or need,” she says. “Be ruthless and focused on the end goal: a clutter-free home and the peace that will come with knowing where everything is.” Call ClothingDonations.org for a pickup every month, and your home can be clutter-free in no time.
Tag: decluttering
Start Your Spring Cleaning Now
The calendar tells us that there are still almost two months to go before spring officially starts. And even if your area of the country is already experiencing periods of spring-like weather, the fact is that there really isn’t that much going on during the winter months.
Sports fans have big events to watch on TV, but there are no major holidays until Easter. Sure, you might choose to celebrate Valentine’s Day, Presidents’ Day or St. Patrick’s Day, but these holidays are unlikely to make a big dent in the social schedule.
Take advantage of that extra time by getting a jump-start on your spring cleaning.
The weather may still be treacherous, so instead of thinking about scrubbing and dusting, make your jump-start about decluttering. You can “clear a path” today so that your home is ready for a big scrubdown when the weather improves.
Start with your clothing. By this point in the winter, you know which items you and your family really use during the colder months, and which ones you don’t. Bag up those extra sweaters, fleeces and corduroys and contact ClothingDonations.org for a pickup.
Next, look at the junk you’ve accumulated. Are your closets overflowing with gadgets, tools and tchotchkes that you no longer want — or never did? Box ’em up and “transition” them out of your living quarters so they’ll be ready for the first garage sale of the spring.
One man’s trash is another man’s treasure, so you’ll make a neighbor’s day even as you relieve yourself of all that stuff. Just don’t try to do all of the decluttering at once, Money Crashers says; pick a closet or room and get it exactly how you want it before moving on to another space.
Once the path is clear, you’ll have the time and space for a quick home-improvement project! A new coat of paint, refreshed bathroom tile or new carpeting will help elevate your mood, and it’s a good idea to get those messy renovations done before you deep-clean.
By the time Easter, Memorial Day and the other big holidays arrive, your house will be spacious, clean and inviting again. And you’ll be able to kick back and enjoy the warmer weather with a renewed sense of accomplishment.
Streamline to Make Your Space Gracious
Want to feel better about your home? One of the best ways is to streamline your stuff, according to HGTV’s “5 New Year’s Resolutions for Your Home.” Without regular purging, it’s hard to find what you really want, the story says, and too much stuff can make your space look dirty and dated. “This year, resolve to go room-by-room periodically clearing anything that you don’t use, wear or love and donate it to charity.”
Keep Your Second New Year’s Resolution
According to Google data, “Get Healthy” is the No. 1 New Year’s resolution in the United States this season, with 62.7 million searches through the first of the year, a 13.8 percent increase over last year. “Get Organized” came in second, however, with 33.2 million searches; if that’s one of your goals, the information that ClothingDonations.org shares this month will help you cut the clutter while funding valuable veteran’s programs.
Another Task for Your Holiday To-Do List
As the holidays kick off in earnest, you’ll have a host of tasks to deal with: Decking out your home, inside and outside, in a manner appropriate to the season. Buying gifts for the many family members, friends and colleagues on your list. Baking holiday cookies and other culinary delights. Somehow making time for that office party or Nutcracker.
There’s another holiday task that can help bring cheer to any number of people you may not know personally, though: Boxing up lightly used clothing items and household goods and donating them to area thrift stores via ClothingDonations.org.
The benefits of a donation are threefold. First, your donations will help provide people with the things they need for their own holiday festivities. While that sweater, dress or small appliance might no longer be of much use to you, it might represent a real “find” for another person who’s out browsing in search of a perfect outfit or gift.
Next, you’ll declutter your home for the holidays. Are your closets and crawlspaces crammed with clothing and goods you haven’t used in months? Chances are that when you go looking for that wreath or string of lights, you’ll find box after box of stuff you just don’t need. Pull it out and call ClothingDonations.org. You’ll create space for the new stuff you’re going to get this season, and impress your guests with a clean, organized home.
And finally, the proceeds from your donations will go toward programs that make the season a little brighter for the nation’s veterans. Programs that help house, clothe, feed and celebrate the men and women who have fought to keep the nation free depend on these funds, and many veterans will have a happier holiday thanks to your donations.
’Tis the season for giving, so as you dust off those decorations and ready your home for the holidays, don’t forget the veterans. Call ClothingDonations.org and spread the cheer!