2020 was not what we expected, so let’s start this year off right by getting rid of all the junk 2020 left us with. A new year, a new opportunity to have a clean home! It’s time to declutter! To declutter, you’ll need a donation box, trash bags, and to be 100% honest with yourself. If you won’t fix it, clean it, or read it soon, get rid of it!
Decluttering makes your home look brand new, but did you know it’s also good for your health? Having a clean, uncluttered home can reduce anxiety, improve sleep, and boost creativity! But enough talk, let’s clean.
Living Room
- You know that box of random cords that may or may not be for the TV? It’s time to find out. If you haven’t used it in the past few months, you most likely won’t need it in the future. Properly dispose of any electronics and cords you haven’t used. Or you can donate unwanted electronics if they are still in good condition.
- Donate or throw away any old decorations. That includes throw pillows, frames, blankets, rugs, etc.
- Almost everyone has that one bookshelf that has been forgotten, don’t be ashamed of yours. Recycle or donate any old books, magazines, or newspapers. And remember, be honest with yourself! If you haven’t read it and don’t intend to, get rid of it.
- Donate or sell any old furniture you hate/don’t use. Throw away any furniture that is broken. Isn’t throwing away old junk so freeing?!
Kitchen
- If it’s almost gone, throw it away. What is the point of holding onto that giant Dorritos bag if there are only a few crumbs left in the bottom? You know you won’t eat them.
- Speaking of throwing away almost-gone-food, head to your pantry and throw away anything that is expired, stale, or has been ignored for the past month or two.
- If it’s broken, toss it. We know you said you’ll fix it, but you haven’t and it’s been months. That old, broken toaster is just taking up space, throw it away!
- Next, head to your fridge, read about how you can declutter your fridge, and then throw away everything that is expired. Everything.
- Now that all your old kitchen accessories and expired food are out of the way, take note of what food you threw out. Now you know what food is and isn’t being eaten, so you can better plan your grocery lists. You’ll save money and avoid food waste by taking inventory of your pantry and fridge every once in a while.
Bedrooms
- Extreme situations call for extreme actions. And the mess in your kid’s room is always an extreme situation. Talk to them about donating some of their toys. Ask your child if you can help them deep clean their room in order to make more room for playing.
- Donate clothes that are too big, too small, or haven’t been worn in the past year.
- Donate or throw away shoes that haven’t been worn for a while.
- Go through all your socks and get rid of any socks that don’t have a partner. We know you’re still looking for their friend, but it’s been 6 years. Get rid of the single socks.
- Get rid of old bedding, pillows, and blankets. It’s a habit to collect blankets and never let go, but believe it or not, there is such a thing as too many blankets.
Bathrooms
- Throw away old, used toothbrushes immediately! No one needs those gross things in their toothbrush drawer.
- Get rid of any old cosmetic products including toothpaste, shampoo, hair spray, gels, lotions, or any other products that you have been hoarding for too long. Did you know cosmetic products have an expiration date? Just like food, many cosmetic products go bad and lose their quality after their expiration date. The expiration date can be found on the back or bottom of your product. For example, this cream will go bad after 24 months from the open date (See image below).
- Old towels with stains, holes, or that you just hate need to find a new home… I’ve heard the trash can is lovely this time of year.
- Bath mats should be replaced every two years and washed regularly. Has it been two years? More?! Replace your old rug immediately!
Storage
- Old decorations? Throw ‘em out.
- Projects that never got finished and never will be? They’re trash.
- The junk drawer? If it’s truly full of junk, throw it all out.
- Food storage is super convenient and handy to have, but it’s easy to forget how old some of those cans are. Go through and throw away any expired food. Expired canned food can cause an array of diseases if eaten. Don’t accidentally make that mistake, throw it away!
To summarize, if you hate it, throw it away; if it’s broken, throw it away; if it hasn’t been used in the last year, throw it away; and, as always, remember Marie Kondo’s advice: “Take each item in one’s hand and ask: 'Does this spark joy?' If it does, keep it. If it does not, dispose of it.”
Since this list is a lot to remember in one go, we’ve made you this handy little checklist! When will you start your decluttering journey?
