2020 was the year (almost) everyone stayed home. Time was finally on our side. People who worked outside the home were now facing new challenges inside the home. And many of those things were clutter-related.

Spending more time at home meant discovering new things. A lot of the clutter served no purpose, it was out wearing its welcome, or becoming an eyesore. When there is less clutter in your home, there is less clutter in your mind. There’s definitely less cleaning to do, less dust build-up, and more space to enjoy. Who doesn’t want more space?

The only problem with decluttering was what to do with all the excess? Charitable organizations temporarily shut down their pick-up services. Others weren’t accepting drop-offs. Bins all over the outdoor drop-off locations were overflowing. As homes’ first and second floors were becoming more empty, garages and basements were becoming more full.

Yard Sales were out of the question. As no one wanted to touch other people’s belongings or bring them into their own homes. But all of this has changed, thankfully!

Summer is THE best time to declutter and reorganize your home. Especially the garage. The weather works in your favor and the days are nice and long.

Here are tips and a breakdown of how to do a cleanout of your home and what to do with all the excess acquired over the years.

Move from top to bottom.

Clean out one room at a time.

Expect the project to take longer than you think.

Start in the largest bedroom. Tackle the closet first. Remove everything in it. Ask yourself these questions when deciding what to keep and what to let go of.
Have I worn it in the last year?
Does it fit me?
Does it make me feel good?

Never mind how long you’ve had it, how much you paid, or whether it will fit you in the future. If your answer is “no” to those three questions, it’s time to part ways with the piece.

Use ALL the same types of hangers, wooden or felt (no wire hangers, of course). Arrange your clothes from light to dark, short sleeves to long sleeves. Put pants next to dresses and fold your jeans and sweaters. Follow the same system for all the bedrooms.

Tackle the living areas. First, remove everything sitting on the floor that’s not a piece of furniture. Find a better place for them or pare down. We’re talking baskets, decor, etc. Clear surface space. Ditch excess blankets, pillows, picture frames, tchotchkes, etc. Group like things together in bowls or pretty boxes.
Move on to the kitchen. In the kitchen, the most clutter which takes up space is your Tupperware. Discard any unmatched containers and lids. Cut back on the number of containers in general. Do you really need or use all the gadgets and small appliances you’ve accumulated? Take stock of it all and remember, less is more!
Your bathrooms shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes to an hour to declutter. It all depends on what’s lurking in your vanity drawers. Are they overflowing? Are they organized with compartments? That’s what will take the most time to sort.

But, let’s start with the medicine cabinet. Dump all expired products. Separate the expired medications and place them in a bag. Clearly label it! Take it to a drop-off site. Do not throw the bag of meds in the garbage nor flush them down the toilet. Police precincts offer a take-back program.

Also, discard any make-up that’s older than 3 years (just 3 months for mascara!). How many hand lotions or sample soaps does one need? These are great to donate to the needy. Toiletries are essential for shelters and veterans.

Do you keep cleaning products under the sink? Consider relocating them to a nearby closet. Space under the sink is highly coveted for more useful items.

The garage is a whole different animal. But luckily we’ve addressed this in the past and the advice remains relevant today.

If you need outside help to declutter your home, please give us a call. We can help! We have collaborated with a local owner of The Neat Method, which provides a systemized approach to getting your home in order. Call us for more information at 631-725-2408.

Here’s a resource of organizations accepting donations. You can schedule convenient pick-ups or drop off on-site. All are reputable, reliable, are tax-deductible, plus they’re great causes!

The Vietnam Veterans of America Used clothes and household items fund programs supporting the needs of all veterans.

Breast Cancer Pickups United Breast Cancer Foundation. Gently used clothing, shoes, and household items support women and men suffering from breast cancer.

Lupus Foundation of America Gently used clothes, shoes, and household items support vital research and education programs for individuals with lupus.

Habitat for Humanity Restore accepts gently used furniture, appliances, home goods, building materials, and more. Sales of donated items help Habitat for Humanity partner with local families to build, rehabilitate and repair safe and affordable homes.

Angela’s House accepts new or used (in good condition), overstocked, or discontinued kitchen cabinets, bathroom fixtures, plumbing, tools, flooring, counters, fixtures, sinks, plumbing accessories, lumber. Or any other reusable building materials or tools or household items (including furniture). This Long Island-based non-profit organization assists families caring for children with special healthcare needs who are medically fragile, chronically ill, or suffering from a life-threatening illness.