How Do You Remove Stuff From Your House?
While cleaning and removing junk from your house, it is important to create an itemized list to make the process run smoothly. Separating items into small and heavy categories helps to create a clearer picture of the project at hand.
Begin by clearing off countertops and reducing paper clutter, such as mail. Then, move onto your furniture, such as coffee tables and entertainment centers.
Start Small
One of the best tips that decluttering experts offer is to start small. Spending just a few minutes in each room of the house can help you get a better idea of what needs to be done, which items will find a new home, and give you an overall gauge of how much work is ahead of you. This is not a time to do a thorough sort or begin making lists; you’ll be doing that later.
Start with flat surfaces like tabletops and counters, and clear them off. Then move on to clothes and accessories. Be ruthless about getting rid of duplicate items, such as multiple sets of mittens or three matching sweaters. Remember that the 80/20 rule applies here: you wear about 20 percent of what’s in your closet.
If you are worried that you might need an item again “someday,” consider donating it instead of throwing it away. This will give the item a new life and save you space in your closet. Also, if it’s an old piece of furniture you no longer use, try selling it. You might be able to turn it into cash for your next big project, or you could donate it or call Sgt Junk-It.
As you go through your stuff, take a look at each item and ask yourself if it brings you joy. If it doesn’t, put it in the “toss” pile or put it on a shelf to be dealt with later. Don’t hold onto something because you think you might need it again; that just won’t happen.
Finally, be sure to remove yourself from catalog and junk mail lists as soon as you can so that you won’t be receiving these items anymore. You can also reduce clutter by donating or recycling your stuff on a regular basis, which will make it less likely that you’ll need to get rid of it in the first place.
Many people struggle to find a permanent home for their things, leading to clutter that’s hard to keep up with. Ms. Kondo says that a lack of proper storage is the number one reason that clutter gets out of control. By creating a system that helps you easily put items away and take them out when you need them, you’ll be able to stop accumulating clutter in the future.
Donate
Donating items you don’t need to a worthy cause is a great way to free up space and feel good about yourself at the same time. This is especially true for larger items, like furniture or appliances, which you can often get rid of by simply scheduling a pick-up with a local donation center.
Many organization experts recommend a “one in, two out” rule when it comes to adding new items to your home: for every one item you bring into your home, you should get rid of two. This can be a hard rule to follow for things like business cards that you never use or books that you plan to read but never do. To make it easier to let go of these items, try creating a "maybe" box, and store it somewhere out of the way.
Sell
If you have a lot of items that don’t make the cut for donating or giving away, consider selling them. It can be a great way to get some extra cash and clean out your house at the same time! You can find a number of ways to sell your unwanted items, including online, flea markets, and yard sales.
Many people keep items around the house because they believe they have some sort of value, whether it be financial, spiritual, or sentimental. This pitfall thinking can be difficult to overcome, but eliminating it from your mindset is essential to making the decluttering process easier for you.
Whenever you are clearing out junk, always make sure to donate or sell anything you don’t need or want. This helps to keep it out of landfills, which is good for the environment and your wallet. Also, it’s better for your mental health to avoid hoarding. Just give it a go – you might be surprised at how much stuff you can let go of! If you have a lot of books lying around, check with your local library. They often put donated books on their shelves for checkout or sell them at fundraisers. You can also donate them to charitable organizations.
Throw Away
The first thing to do when you're decluttering is to throw away anything that doesn't belong in the room. This includes broken toys, old magazines, books you've read or don't plan to reread, and more.
If you're having trouble letting go of something, ask yourself how often you use it or need it. If you can't think of a specific occasion, it's time to get rid of it.
Don't simply put it in the garbage, though. Instead, find eco-friendly ways to sell or donate your items. This may include a local consignment shop, or organizations.
For books, check with your local library to see if they accept donated materials. If not, contact charities that specialize in book donation.
If you're tackling an entire room, divide it into zones and work through each zone at a time. Empty out shelves and cupboards to make it easier to work on the items. Label boxes or bins "Toss" and "Give." This will help you stay on track and not build up the clutter again. Ideally, you'll be keeping only the things you use regularly. This is called the 80/20 rule. Most people only wear or use about 20 percent of the things they own.
While cleaning and removing junk from your house, it is important to create an itemized list to make the process run smoothly. Separating items into small and heavy categories helps to create a clearer picture of the project at hand. Begin by clearing off countertops and reducing paper clutter, such as mail. Then, move onto…