Now that we are nearing the third month of the new year, many of us are working on our resolutions “full steam ahead”. Or, at least, we’re doing our best. From adding a bit more movement into your lifestyle to reading a certain number of books throughout the year, there are as many unique resolutions as there are individuals.
For some, the New Year offers the perfect opportunity to go through their home with the goal of decluttering and organizing. The following will discuss a few of the manageable ways you can declutter your home and begin your resolution on the right foot.
(Keep in mind, this doesn’t all have to be completed within the first few months of the New Year! While you may be determined and excited by the thought of a clean space, go at a pace that you are comfortable with).
Start with a Manageable Task
An important thing to keep in mind throughout the entire process is to not become overwhelmed by what needs to be done. If you allow this to happen, then accomplishing even the first task will seem like it is too much for you to handle.
Go through your home and take the time to look at the area(s) in question. Bring a garbage bag with you, and do a preliminary “sweep” of each room. If you come across any light garbage or recycling, throw it out and/or recycle it.
Now that you have seen the state of each area, make a list of the rooms in order of their priority. This will be different for each person. However, one thing to keep in mind is that you will need proper rest as you go on this organizational journey. This is why, regardless of the state of the other rooms, the bedroom is a wonderful place to start.
Bedroom
We all know how important it is to get 7-9 hours of sleep each night. If your bed is located in a room of disarray, the likelihood of getting this amount of sleep diminishes.
Do you have laundry needing to be washed? Does every article of clothing have its designated spot for storage once it has been cleaned? When was the last time you went through your clothes to see what no longer fits or is a bit worse for wear? As you can see, a seemingly “easy” room can also be time-consuming! From armoires to closets, the number of items in a person’s bedroom can accumulate quickly.
As with the rest of this process, take it one step at a time. Start with the items that have possibly been tossed on the floor, and any visible garbage and/or recycling. Wash your bedsheets and pillowcases, and then do a load or two of laundry. Put clothing away as soon as it has been washed and dried.
If your bedroom has windows with curtains and/or blinds, open them as you tidy and organize. It’s amazing what a little bit of natural light can do to both the room and your mood!
Too Many Clothes?
If, while cleaning the bedroom, you have found clothing that can be donated, place it to the side in a bag or box and label them for donation. If you find clothing that is in good condition but has barely been worn, you can try selling them online.
This applies to more than just clothing! As you go through your home, keep in mind that some items may be sold for some extra cash. There are many websites that can facilitate this depending on your area. Even Facebook Marketplace has become a popular place to sell, donate, and/or exchange goods. Thanks to the internet, the world is at our fingertips! As long as it is done safely, there is no reason to not use it to our advantage.
Keep in mind, it is important to do all of these steps at your own pace. If all you can manage in a day is to do one load of laundry rather than several loads of laundry, do that one load! There is no point in exhausting yourself on the first day, just like there is no need to be hard on yourself. Starting a New Year with a fresh start should also involve being kinder to your mind and body.
Books
From leisure reading to cookbooks and manuals, chances are that you can find at least one book in every room of your home. It can be extremely easy to collect books and owning a home library is a dream of many. However, if there are more books in your home than there is floor space, something needs to be done.
Please don’t instantly throw them in the garbage! Check to see if you have a used bookstore in your area. Not only will your books find a wonderful new home, but many of these bookstores will pay for your lightly read books!
If your city doesn’t have a place to sell used books, call your local library to see if they accept books, and if not, they may recommend another solution. Homeless shelters, hospitals, secondhand stores, charities… there are numerous possibilities! If all else fails, then it may be time to recycle them. However, this should truly be your final option.
Kitchen
If you love to cook, it’s possible that your kitchen has become overrun with recipe books, containers, and ingredients. If cooking isn’t your cup of tea, your kitchen may be full of takeout menus or be used for entirely different uses. Nevertheless, it’s an important space to keep clean and sanitary!
Since we started this journey by doing a “sweep” of the entire home, hopefully, this area is already rid of the garbage and recyclable items. However, don’t neglect the items in the fridge, freezer, and pantry.
See also: Complete Pantry Cleanout in 8 Steps
Counters
Before tackling the fridge and pantry, ensure that you have space available for items to be placed as you go through them. Is finding a clean area to use nearly impossible even after doing the initial sweep? If so, this is a sign that it’s time to take care of everything that is on the counters and table first. Even if it’s just displacing everything into one large bag or bin for the time being- simply ensure you have one clean area to work with.
Make “Zones”
Begin by creating different “zones” in your kitchen to put items. Or, as mentioned above, if you have them, you can use numerous bins. For example, one area or bin can be for items that belong elsewhere in the home, while a separate area can be for pantry items that need proper storage. Another bag or box can be used for items that can be donated to a food bank, etc.
Fridge and Pantry
Go through your fridge and pantry one at a time, with gloves on both hands (and a face mask covering your mouth/nose if necessary). Dispose of anything that is expired and remove every item from the fridge and pantry as you go. The goal is to empty them completely so they can be washed and sanitized.
Most shelves can be removed from your fridge.. If you have the mobility and strength to do it safely, bring the shelves to an empty sink to be washed. If the sink available is too full or is not spacious, bring them to the bathtub or shower. Wash them, then rinse and dry them thoroughly. Before placing them back in the fridge and/or freezer, wash the inside of the appliance. All spills and stuck-on gunk should now be gone, creating a safe place to store food.
Now that expired food has been removed and the fridge is clean, place all remaining food back into the fridge in an organized fashion. There are many containers available to help this process. Luckily, there are many options that don’t cost a pretty penny. One quick search online or a trip to the local Dollar Store or Walmart will provide you with the necessary products. It all depends on what your budget looks like.
If your budget doesn’t leave room to provide such organizational tools, simply put the food back in the fridge neatly. Merely make sure that each bottle, can, and container is clean before placing them on the freshly washed shelves.
See also: Complete Pantry Cleanout in 8 Steps
Washroom & Linen Closet
You’ve made it to the final room and closet of this clean-up! Hopefully, you are already feeling the effects of getting so much done. When it comes to the washroom and linen closet, the amount of work needing to be done depends on the size of your washroom(s). The most basic steps to take are the following. Keep in mind to toss anything expired or beyond the possibility of repurposing.
- Pick-up Items:
- Razors
- Soaps
- Shampoos/Conditioners
- Towels/Facecloths
- Clothing/Robes
- Beauty Products
- Empty The Medicine Cabinets:
- Medications
- Dental Products
- Cosmetics
- Clean the Surface of Every Area:
– Deep Clean the Toilet and Toilet Area
– Wash and Dry any Cupboards/Cabinets
– Deep Clean Shower and/or Bath, Shower Walls
- Sweep and Mop Flooring
- Go Through Linen Closet:
- Donate Extra Towels/Facecloths/Bed Linens
- Toss Old/Heavily Used Items or Repurpose them for rags
- Gather All Cleaning Supplies and Toiletries
- Use containers, bins, and/or baskets to keep items organized
- Check Expiration Dates and Follow Proper Disposal Instructions
While this is a very basic list to follow, you can also add small touches to enhance the space. From hanging fresh eucalyptus leaves to installing a rainwater shower head, there are many options depending on your style.
Do Not Rush The Process
Nothing is as discouraging as being excited about accomplishing a task and discovering that it can’t be accomplished in the assumed amount of time. For example, if most of the rooms in your home need some work, it is best to focus on one room at a time rather than the home in its entirety.
Surprisingly, this may be easier said than done. Once the decluttering begins, taking care of one item may lead to going into another area of the home. While in that area, yet another task may catch your eye and before long, the entire home is in disarray. Do your best to focus on one small area at a time. If you find yourself straying from the initial task at hand, write down what you discovered needs to be taken care of and go back to it later.
We discussed a few of the major rooms in a home, but you may also have other rooms to tackle.
Perhaps you have an office or a guest room to cross off of your list, too. If this is the case, remember to be kind to yourself throughout the process. Slowly but surely, you’ll be able to say you have gone through your entire home. “Decluttering in 2023” is one step closer to being crossed off of your list of things to do for the year. For now, soak up the feelings of accomplishment! You’ve already achieved so much! Take a break before tackling other areas, and enjoy your newly cleaned space- you deserve it.
Related:
The Demand for Stone Countertops: Why Are They So Popular?
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