I wanted to share some suggestions for de-cluttering to
start 2015 out right. As you know, de-cluttering
is process and the process of moving extra stuff
often allows us to clear our minds.
My Mom recommends getting a laundry basket. Start in one
room and collect the items that don’t belong in that room. Go to the next
room. Put away the items that belong
there and collect items that don’t belong. Continue around your house until you’ve
done all the rooms.
Things to do:
1.
Update your family medical information
2.
Update your family emergency contact list.
3.
Gathering up documents that you’ll need to do taxes
Kitchen:
1.
Check the expiration dates on spices and make a
list of spices to replace.
2.
Do you have condiments (salad dressing,
ketch-up, etc.) lingering in your fridge? Check the expiration dates and
discard the ones past their prime. Make a list of condiments to replace.
3.
Look in the freezer. Make a list of food items
and plan meals.
4.
Look in the cabinets. Discard food that are
expired. Make a list of food items and plan meals.
5.
Replace staples that are running low (flour,
sugar, salt, etc.)
6.
Check your cleaning products. Make a list of
products to replace. Make sure cleaning products are out of reach of children.
7.
Discard or recycle broken dishes, odd lids and
containers
Bedroom
1.
Check the elastic on your sheets. Get elastic
clips to keep the corners around the edge of the mattress if you need to.
2.
Wash blankets if you need to.
3.
Do you need to replace your pillows?
Closet & Closet
1.
Ladies – put your old panty hose to use in other
ways.
2.
Match as many random socks that you can, put the
“orphans” to use for cleaning and dusting.
3.
Toss old undies.
Replace the ones that you need.
4.
Put anything that needs to be mended in a
bag. Sometime this week get out a sewing
kit and make repairs and replace lost buttons. If sewing isn’t your thing you
can take your items to a tailor.
5.
Go through your closet and pull out clothing
items that you haven’t worn in the past few years. Donate or repurpose them. At
this point, just get out things that “aren’t you.”
6.
Tidy the items that are on hangers.
7.
Collect scarves, belts, and other accessories in
one place.
8.
Collect jewelry items in one place. Make repairs
to jewelry if you’re able. Use broken or mismatched jewelry for repurposing or crafts.
Notes – There are different systems for de-cluttering and
organizing your closet. Use a system that works for you.
Don’t feel compelled to hold onto the weird jacket your
mother-in-law gave you for Christmas. Write a thank-you note and quietly send
it on to a new home.
Bathroom
1.
Use up the shampoo and conditioner that’s
lingering in bottles. You can use it to fill travel size toiletry containers.
2.
Donate lotions, body washes, and other
toiletries that aren’t your scent.
3.
Replace family toothbrushes
4.
Check the medicine cabinet. Gather medications
that you don’t need anymore. Many pharmacies will dispose of medications for
you.
5.
Restock your family first aid kit with band aids
and pain relievers.
Living Room
1.
Return DVDs and CDs to their cases.
2.
Check under the sofa for lost items.
3.
Wash throw blankets
Pets
1.
Wash pet blankets and bedding
2.
Discard toys that are broken
Other
1.
Return items that you borrowed from family
members (dishes, clothing, DVDs, books)
2.
Donate or recycle your old cell phone
3.
Discard expired coupons
4.
Send in rebate forms
5.
Collect all your change in one container. Take
it to the bank.
The New Year is a great time to get a fresh start! Once you get started cleaning and de-cluttering, you'll feel motivated to continue.
