Spring Cleaning : 3 Easy Questions To Help Clear Out Clutter

Alivia Whitaker | May 11, 2018 @ 12:00 AM

There is a reason most people clear out clutter in the spring!  The sun is out  and it feels like it’s time to open those windows, re-fresh the house and get cleaning!

Spring cleaning doesn’t have to be complicated.  If you want to know how to efficiently clear out clutter there are only 3 simple questions you need to ask yourself when you are choosing to keep or throw out:

  1. When is the last time you used it?

This question is an important one to ask if you want to clear out the clutter.  But it needs to be thoughtfully applied.  Just because you haven’t used something for awhile doesn’t mean you won’t need it in a year from now.  For example, you probably only use holiday decorations once a year.  But not using your seasonal decor in a year obviously doesn’t mean you should throw it out!

However, you need to carefully analyze each item and think seriously about whether you’ve used an item consistently, with intention or at all.  If you can’t remember the last time you used something in your home - it’s most likely time to store, donate or toss the item!

  1. What is your attachment to this item?

Not all belongings that have little daily use are automatic candidates for the garbage can.  There are actually a lot of items and objects we keep in our home for reasons other than frequent use.

For instance, family photographs, letters and heirlooms might not be taken out very often.  But of course you wouldn’t get rid of those things!

When you want to clear clutter in your home think about the items you’re going over and decide why they are important to you.  Think of your belongings and space as an investment.  Is the item worth the space it’s taken up or the “home real estate” it’s consuming that could be put towards a different use.  If your guest room closet is worth it for those family heirlooms - then keep, don’t toss.

  1. How difficult or expensive would it be to replace?

Another basic and great rule of thumb to use when you want to clear out clutter is how difficult would this be to replace?  If you’ve got expensive tools you’ve invested in - they may not be the best thing to donate.  However, other items may be candidates for the donate or toss bin if they are pretty cheap.  Sure, you may use some inexpensive organizing bins one day.  But if you don’t have immediate plans for something like that - think, “how expensive would it be to replace these?” If the number isn’t very high then it’s probably not worth the space it’s taking up!

View your belongings, space and functionality of your home as a cost, investment and return scenario.  This will help give you objectivity as you review your belongings and clear out clutter.

Check out the Keylock Storage Blog for more interesting articles about organization and lifestyle: keylockstorage.com/blogs