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Spring Cleaning Clutter Tips

By
Real Estate Agent with HomeSmart Realty West DRE #01786169

As another spring comes to an end it’s a good time to ask yourself “did I ever get around to spring cleaning this year?” If not, here are some ueful tips to implement before the BBQ season begins-

 

That kitchen drawer

Take the pizza rolling, slicing thing and all those other items you bought for less than $5.99 that you just knew you’d always use and put them in a cardboard box. Whenever you use one of the items, put it back in the drawer. At the end of the month—with the exception of the turkey baster—you need to ask yourself if you will ever use whatever is left in the box.

The bedroom closet
We wear 20% of our clothes 80% of the time, which means the vast majority of your closet is filled with—you guessed it, clutter. Walsh suggests the ‘reverse clothes hanger trick.’ Take everything on a clothes hanger and turn it around back-to-front. For the next three to six months, every time you wear something, hang it back the correct way after you wash it. Whatever is still hanging back-to-front, ask yourself if you will ever really wear the item. The reverse clothes hanger trick is an efficient, non-traumatic way to see what you wear and what you don’t.

Your shoes
To understand how many shoes you have, you have to release them from captivity. Find the largest room or hallway in your house and line them up. Every pair of shoes you have. Then sort the shoes by type—running shoes, sensible pumps, sandals and so on. Then give yourself a ratio such as 10-to-1 (for every 10 you keep, get rid of one pair), 5-to-1 if you’re or even 3-to-1 if you’re a true pioneer.

The car
Get in the habit that whenever you gas up the car, in those two minutes you declutter and throw out any trash. In addition, get milk crate-size containers, and put them in the way back. Whenever the kids bring something into the car—sports gear, book bags, etc.—it goes in their crate. Be sure to use the crates whenever you go shopping too. When you arrive home, make sure nobody leaves the car empty-handed—everyone has to carry their crate into the house.

The garage
Divide your garage into clear zones: one area for gardening equipment, one area for holiday decorations, one area for luggage and one area for tools. Establishing zones is a functional way of keeping the place organized and the volume of stuff in control.

You may actually need a bigger home and/or a 3 car garage. I can can help you find what you want. Visit www.robdennyhomes.com or email me at rdennyhomes@gmail.com today.

 

“Relax...I’ll handle the details”

Comments (3)

Pat O'Reilly
RE/MAX..214-289-6176 Irving and all of Dallas Fort Worth - Irving, TX

Good information..always a good idea to de clutter..it is amazing how much junk we accumulate!!

Jun 08, 2010 02:19 AM
Ellen Caruso
Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty - Glen Head, NY

Just in time, I'll print this and give copies to my kids who keep asking "What are we doing for summer vacation?"

Ellen

Jun 08, 2010 02:23 AM
Kristin Mason
New Market Title Agency - Independence, OH

Very good pointer.  I definately will try the backwards hanger idea and the shoes as well.  I also have to get my tennage daughter to do some spirng cleaning! Thanks for the post!

Jun 08, 2010 02:24 AM