When the temperature starts getting warmer and flowers start to bloom, many people start thinking about spring cleaning. They are full of good intentions about cleaning out rooms within the house as well as their basement, attic or garage. For most people spring cleaning means clearing out the clutter but somewhere along the way they get busy doing other things and only a few areas of the house get the full spring cleaning. Here are some tips to help clear out the clutter and make spring cleaning successful.
There are three parts to clearing out the clutter. They are the “Pre-Process”, “Process” and “Post-Process”.
Part One - “Pre-Process”
Decide the Goal. What is it that you want to accomplish? Do you want to be able to easily locate your tools, sports equipment, make room for your car in the garage, get rid of unused items, make room for newer items, become more organized to save time or just clear space?
Once you have decided the goal you need to devise and write a plan. Ask yourself: What is it going to take for me to accomplish this goal? Do I need to save money to purchase organizing items or get help from others? You also need to decide how much time you are going to devote to the project. Will it be an entire weekend or is this something you want to break down into smaller projects?
Now that you know what your goal is and how you are going to accomplish it, mark it in your planner! This step is extremely important! If you do not mark it down in your planner, it is less likely that you will carry out the plan. If you are breaking the job down into smaller projects, decide when you are going to do each one and write it down.
Part Two – The “Process”
Begin by sorting and purging everything in the area. The area could be one kitchen drawer or cabinet, a closet, the kids’ room or the basement, attic or garage. It is important to pull everything out of the area and put like items together. Have separate piles for donate, trash, belongs somewhere else or to someone else, give away and items to return to the area. Dispose of the unwanted or not needed items quickly. Many local nonprofit organizations will pick up items you want to recycle or donate for a reasonable fee or for free. Tip: when taking items to other areas in the house they belong in, just go to that area and drop it inside the door. Do not try to put it away immediately. Many people become side-tracked and do not return to the area they began working in. Take advantage of wall and ceiling space for storage when you are thinking about putting the items back in the room. There are many attachable wall units and shelves that are decorative but are good for storage. In the garage take advantage of overhead hanging storage units for less used items. Always be thinking about furniture that can also be used for storage.
Be ruthless in your decisions about what you are keeping, donating, selling, and giving away and what is trash! During the process you need to ask yourself, do I need it, love it or use it! If the answer is “no”, get rid of it!
Part Three – “Post Process”
Be proud of what you have accomplished, even if the project is not complete because at least you did something to begin the process of clearing out the clutter. Reward yourself and those that helped you! If you chose to break the project down into smaller projects, reward yourself after each part is completed, and definitely reward yourself after the entire project is completed. You deserve it!
