Yes, it may be cold outside, but what better time is there than the beginning of a new year to get an early jump on your Spring cleaning? So, push- up your sleeve and put on your gloves and let’s get started! Use these helpful hints to maximize the joy in your life while minimizing your household clutter.

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Think outside the box.

Don’t just box-up your belongings and throw them away. Think about donating your gently used items to associations or charities that will put those items to good use. Here are our suggestions.

1. Goodwill – we are all familiar with the name and know they accept regular household items and other clothing, but did you know they take donations of cars, trucks, SUVs, boats, and campers? The proceeds from the sale of donated goods are used towards employment training and job-placement programs for individuals with employment barriers such as language or disabilities.
2. Dell Reconnect – Goodwill partners with Dell Computers to collect old used computers, which Dell recycles or refurbishes to benefit local communities.
3. Vietnam Veterans of America (vva.org) –helps all U.S. veterans, not just those of a particular war or age group by selling your donated goods to generate funding for local, state, and national programs. Proceeds help vets who are homeless, disabled, a minority, or women. They accept things like clothing, housewares, baby gear, appliances, electronics, lawn mowers, musical instruments, and small home furnishings.
4. Planet Aid – aims to keep as many textiles as possible out of the landfills. They accept bedding, towels, and curtains, clothing, shoes, and sleeping bags. As well as socks, underwear, bras and stuffed animals. Their big differentiator is that they accept used material with rips, stains or tears – things that other charities wouldn’t consider – such as linens. All proceeds go towards helping the needy in third world countries.
5. The Furniture Bank Network – Large furniture is their specialty. All proceeds go to help those who have survived fire, robbery, or a natural disaster. Also, they help the working poor, people escaping domestic violence, unemployed individuals, and immigrants.

For more assistance on sorting your donations, read our article here.

Put a process in place.

Organization is key in situations like this. How about setting labeled boxes around the house in areas you are looking to declutter? Labels such as toss, maybe and donate are a good place to start.

Set a schedule.

When deciding on whether to keep an item, there is no need to be hasty and regret your decisions later. This is the purpose of the box labeled maybe. Placing items you are unsure about donating in that box provides a little time to make the right decision for your household. But be careful that it doesn’t become a catch-all for new clutter.

Sort like a pro!

Does the piece bring you joy? Do you still like it? Is it still your style? If not, get rid of it! A good tip for sorting hanging clothes is to reverse the direction of the hangers for the clothes you wear most. Then after a month review the hangers that weren’t turned around you. This will provide a better understanding of what clothes you don’t use.

It’s time to go.

Odds are if you haven’t used the item within the past year, it’s safe to say you aren’t going to use it this year. Keep this in mind when making your decisions. This thought process is important to keep your home free of clutter. Envision having the space available to put your grandchild’s highchair around the kitchen table when family comes for dinners. Moments like that are priceless and your loved ones will thank you.

Be confident.

Make peace with your decision to part ways. If it isn’t a family heirloom, chances are it can be replaced. Or perhaps another family member has always liked the item, think about gifting it to them. Spreading joy to the people you hold dear is a sure way to bring joy to yourself.

We can help make your transition into your new home and community stress-free. Call us at 1-844-WAYFORTH or click here to contact a WayForth representative.