They don’t call it a Spring-clean for nothing. When the warmer months arrive, it is often a good time to clean out some of the clutter in your home. During the colder months especially, it can become quite easy to just keep piling things into cupboards and create clutter all over the house.
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Whether you are thinking of downsizing, selling, or just want to simplify your life, taking time to declutter is always a good idea. Clearing the clutter is especially important if you are thinking of selling your home, according to the Seeff Property Group.
A tidy home starts with that first inspection when agents come to view our property to provide an assessment and recommendation on the price that you could expect. A clean and decluttered home will immediately create a good impression and make it easy for the agent, and potential buyers.
Whether you are selling or not, there are numerous benefits to a clean and clutter-free home. It has been proven that a messy house can make you anxious. A clutter-free home creates reduced stress and anxiety. A cluttered home also makes it difficult to find things when you need them.
Start by going from room to room. Make three piles, or use three containers. The first could be what you are “definitely throwing out”, the second, what you “want to donate or recycle”, and the last pile could be your “maybe keep for now” pile. Be sure to go through the last pile again in case you want to throw some more unused stuff.
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Use containers in your cupboards and bathrooms, that will make it easier to clear out all the unnecessary items. Make a point of clearing surfaces in the kitchen and bathrooms. If the property is put up for sale, then it is best to also depersonalise it by removing and storing all personal items such as photographs for privacy reasons.
Dedicate time to the decluttering and cleaning process. Either do one room per day, or dedicate a Saturday to the task. By dedicating time, you can ensure that it gets done and is completed in a timeous manner. Immediately bag and discard items which need to be thrown out, or contact a local charity to collect the items. Remember, charities usually look for usable things, rather than broken items.
A few great rules for decluttering include:
- The 6-months rule. If you have not used, or looked for something for the last six months, it is likely obsolete and can be thrown out.
- The 5-second rule. If you cannot decide within 5-seconds whether you still need an item, or will still wear it again, throw it out.
- The 1 for 1 rule. Try to throw something away for everything that you keep.
- Freecycle or donate what you can. There are often people who may need that which you are throwing out. Be sure to freecycle if you can, or donate to charities in need.
- Trash could be cash. There are also some people who will buy things that you throw out.
A final tip is to clean and repair as you go along so that the home is in a good state once the process is complete. Remember to do a good clear out and clean up at least once a year. This should include steam cleaning carpets, curtains and furniture, and deep cleaning floors, surfaces, and cupboards.
Ted Frazer, national marketing manager for the Seeff Property Group says homeowners and sellers can also contact their nearest Seeff branch to find out more about Seeff’s Home2Home Campaign which facilitates the donation of unwanted goods in a good and usable condition to charities in need.
Recycling tips from TheSpruce to keep your recycling bin clean longer
A little extra effort before you place recyclables in the bin will keep the bin clean much longer. You should also check with your municipality to determine their regulations for recycling. Many places will not accept recyclables that are soiled with food.
- Rinse bottles, cans, and plastic containers before recycling. You don't need to scrub them to a pristine state but a quick scrape and rinse to remove food particles and sticky residue will keep your recycling bin clean and fresh much longer.
- Replace lids on plastic bottles to prevent leaking if your area doesn't require the separation of materials or if the lids are the same material as the bottles.
- Do not allow water or food liquids to accumulate in the bottom of the bin. If the bin is stored outside, be sure it has small drainage holes to allow moisture to escape. If the bin doesn't have holes, use a small drill or awl to create some.
- Place layers of newspaper in the bottom of the bin to absorb drips. This technique works best if the bin is stored indoors.
- Add a liner to the bin. A liner will keep the bin cleaner longer but be sure to check that it is made of a material that can be recycled along with the contents of the bin.
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