A flip of the calendar page tells me that it’s time for a change – it's time for spring cleaning. It’s time to change seasonal clothing, organize closets, sort décor and whisk in a new spring look for my home. One look at my clutter, however, and the task seems overwhelming. I am guilty of putting things away year after year, taking them in and out of boxes, off and onto hangers. I have accumulated reading material in piles.
This year I am determined to be more organized. Perhaps that is one of your goals, too. Following are questions to help as you sort household items. Before you start, you will need trash bags and boxes labeled with “donation” or “sell."
Clothing
Our styles, preferences and sizes change during the year. This is a good time to take inventory. Answers to the following questions will help you decide how to thin out your closet.
- Did I wear the piece of clothing during the fall and winter? If I wore it, did I like it? How often did I wear it?
- Does it coordinate with another piece of clothing that I no longer have or plan to keep?
- Does it fit? Have I gained or lost weight or changed shape so that the dress sat on the hanger all season?
- Does it look good on me? Is it in style? Have I had it for years and is it time to give it up?
- Are there stains on it? Is it worth spending money to dry clean?
- Are the shoes scuffed and heels worn?
Tips: Neatly fold the fall and winter clothes that you are keeping and place in labeled boxes. Under-bed boxes are great space savers. Hang clothing carefully and cover them to keep the dust away. Avoid wire hangers, which will leave marks on the shoulders. Hanging shoe bags in closets are neat organizers and eliminate lots of shoe boxes. If you use shoe boxes, label them. Dry clean clothes before you store them.
Household items
Items stored in a drawer or closet are out of sight. We may spend money buying something that we already have. Straightening drawers and closets is helpful, but we may still be left with things that we rarely use or even need. Answer these questions as you consider the value of household items:
- Does the item still work? Is it broken or does it need repair? Can I get it repaired now (not next fall)? How much will it cost to fix it? Does it make more sense to buy another one?
- For décor: Can I still use it? Have I redecorated so the item no longer fits the structure of my home? Has my lifestyle changed so I now entertain in a different way?
- Have I downsized my living space and have no room?
- Should I keep it? Do I really want to keep a candle that is half burned, silk floral arrangements that are dusty and have gone limp, or a favor from a winter event that clearly says “2001”?
- Are my towels and sheets threadbare? Do they need to be replaced?
Tips: Organize your décor and candles according to color and holiday and place in labeled boxes or bins. Separate scents. Organize your sheets and pillowcases in your linen closet as a set so that you can pull them out without searching for matching pieces. Keep bed sizes on separate shelves.
Drawers
Organizing drawers will save time. We can find things at a glance, and neatness will reduce stress. Ask these questions to determine the type of organizational structure that works for you.
- What do I want to keep in my desk drawers and where? What is my best way to organize for my work style?
- What do I need to throw out of the junk drawer? Expired coupons? Old letters and advertisements?
- Can I separate underwear, swimwear, pajamas and nightgowns in separate drawers in my dresser or by using plastic or cardboard boxes for each type?
Tips: Silverware containers work well in desk or kitchen junk drawers to separate tape, scissors, pens and pencils. Use an ice cube tray to hold your earrings and the earring backs won’t get lost. Buy a jewelry organizer. Sort your coupons into categories and place them in labeled envelopes.
Reading material
Books and magazines are some of our best friends. It’s hard to part with them, but why not let someone else enjoy the stories you read and the information you've found. Do books, magazines, and old newspapers serve a purpose sitting on a shelf or piled in a corner? Answering these questions will help you sort your reading material.
- Have I read the book? If not, will I read it?
- Can I part with a book I’ve read? Is it a book I borrowed from a friend, and, if so, do I need to return it?
- Do I really need to keep all of the magazines? Are there articles or pictures that I must have?
Tips: Consider giving your already-read books to a local or church library or passing them on to friends. Tear out articles and pictures from your magazines and organize them in folders. Buy a small plastic container to house your folders.
Cupboards and freezer
An organized cupboard and freezer help when making a shopping list or looking for ingredients for cooking. The organization will also help your budget as you approach the holidays and can plan for extra ingredients. Here are some questions to help you organize:
- Do I have expired packages and canned goods? Expired means expired!
- How can I arrange my cupboard and freezer to be better organized so I know what I have?
Tips: Use bins in your freezer labeled for pork, beef and chicken so that you can easily keep track. Vegetables can go on one shelf, ice cream on another, meat on a third. Put opened vegetables in Ziploc freezer bags so that vegetable pieces don’t slip out of an open bag.
Organize your cupboards the same way: separate canned soups, vegetables and fruits. Keep baking ingredients together. Use a tray for spices. Keep seasonal products together.
Final thoughts
“What do I do with things that are too good to throw away?” you may be wondering. A yard sale, Craigslist, Freecycle, Goodwill and eBay are great places to dispose of the things you’re not planning to keep.
With organized drawers and cupboards and expanded closet space, you will enjoy a home with reduced clutter and less negative sensory stimulation. Now you’ll be ready to deep clean, polish furniture and wash windows if you want. Maybe you’ll even have time to enjoy a glass of iced tea while you read through that magazine file you created.
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