Cleaning Out the Clutter

The sun is finally out again. The birds are chirping. The flowers are in bloom. Yup, it’s that time of year: springtime. And with spring comes spring cleaning. But it can feel like a big task, especially as you’re coming out of your winter hibernation. But this annual ritual doesn’t have to be as intimidating as it seems. In fact, it can be a fun and positive experience for the whole family.

First things first: You don’t have to take on the task of decluttering your home all by yourself. Get your partner or kids involved, too. Now that Christmas has come and gone, the kids probably have some extra toys they don’t play with anymore. Encourage them to donate the old ones to make room for the gifts they got over the holidays. Plus, they are probably growing fast, and may not need some of their old clothes anymore.

While your kids are cleaning out the things they don’t want or need, you can focus on other areas of the house.

When working on cleaning out the house, start with the things you know you want to part with. Maybe you have old food in the pantry or fridge that needs kicked to the curb. Or your in-laws got you a dancing frog lawn ornament for Christmas and you just can’t quite find the right place for it. 

While you’re cleaning stuff out, you may want to take a look at your medicine cabinet, as well. Medications can expire and taking inventory of what you’ve got will let you know what over-the-counter stuff you may need to restock.

One great way to get rid of your clutter is by hosting a yard sale. It works twofold—you get to ditch the clutter and pick up a little extra cash for your trouble. 

Or, if that sounds like too much of a hassle, then consider donating your unwanted stuff instead of just throwing it out. Gently used items can be dropped off at places like Goodwill, the Salvation Army, the Wheeler Mission Store, and plenty of other local drop-off spots. 

Regardless of where you begin, it’s important to take things one step at a time when getting your house ready for the new season. With a little patience, you’ll be able to work through the clutter and get your house back to normal before the spring weather sets in, so you can enjoy the outdoors.