Spring cleaning is seeing a significant upgrade this year. Instead of putting it on our weekend to-do lists for weeks until we decide it’s summer, many of us are actually cleaning out our spaces and getting rid of items we don’t want, don’t use, or don’t need. Marie Kondo would be proud
For those with more clutter than necessary, it can be difficult to know where to begin. Don’t let your discouragement stop you from starting the project. Instead, look at the items in your home and realize that they can be tossed away or donated without too much thought. It will be easy to find items to clear out once you have these things.
1. Expired Skincare and Makeup
We all know to get rid of old makeup (and if you don’t, get to it!It’s easy to forget that skincare products can expire. To make this step easier, check the labels of your skincare products and keep track of when they were bought. Remember that sunscreen in particular can be basically null and void once it’s passed the expiration date.
2. Additional Items for Your Shower
Most of us like to have a few options when it comes to our shower items, but what about all those things you’ve stopped using that still take up space on those extremely small shower ledges and organizers? From half-used body washes, almost-empty shaving creams, and skincare products you swore you’d use but don’t, toss those and make space for what you actually use.
3. Broken Pens
You know when you grab for a pen and it doesn’t work? So, then you grab for another and that one doesn’t work? I’m known to tossing them to the side (pens come back to life sometimes) rather than just tossing them right then and there. Grab a piece scrap paper and ensure all writing utensils are smooth.
4. Expired Meds
Over time, medication can decrease in effectiveness if it’s kept for too long. Most medicines will have the expiration date printed right on the package, but if not, google the medication to see when it’s recommended to toss out.
According to FDA, this is the safest way of disposing of medications. Drop it at a drug take back location; if there aren’t any near you, This list includes flush medicationsOr These are the guidelines if they’re not on the flush list.
5. Canned Goods You Won’t Use
Our eyes are definitely bigger than our stomachs at the grocery store sometimes, so we buy canned beans and corn and pineapples and tomatoes thinking we’ll “get to them eventually.” And maybe you will! I enjoy looking through my canned goods and finding recipes I like on Pinterest. If nothing I want to make calls for a can of peaches (and I know myself—I won’t eat them on their own), I’ll donate them.
6. Books You Won’t Read
Whether it’s been on your bookshelf for years and still doesn’t strike your fancy or you know you’ll never reread it, go through your book stash and get rid of anything that doesn’t serve a purpose anymore. You can always get rid of it. Books can be used as decor., but if they don’t make your shelves prettier, they can go.
7. Spices and herbs that have been discontinued
When was the most recent time you went through your spice cabinet? Even though they may come in small quantities, cumin can be a problem if you try to use it in a recipe only to find that it has expired eight months earlier. If they stop smelling like they normally do, it’s time for them to go.
8. Excessive Use of Your Countertops
If you often notice your kitchen counters, desk, vanity, or bathroom counters get cluttered easily, you’re probably sticking the same items on them over and over again, such as mail, your skincare stash, notebooks, dishes, cords, and more. Although you might not want to throw them away, it is possible to get rid of clutter by giving them a permanent home.
9. The Next Season’s Clothes
While it might sound right to declutter your coats, sweaters, and scarves right now, it’s actually a better plan (for your wallet and your wardrobe) to focus on the items you’ll wear in the upcoming season. Do the eight off-the-shoulder blouses that you bought two summers back still fit your wardrobe for 2020? Are you happy with the denim shorts that you bought last year or do you find them uncomfortable? This will help you plan your wardrobe. When fall rolls around, that’s when you’ll want to see if your staple winter items from last year still make the cut. Your sweater collection might be worn out, but if you put them away for a while, they might bring back some joy!
This is a great option if you are looking to sell clothes on websites like Poshmark or consignment shops. People are searching for spring and summer pieces right away, so it is more likely that a pair of tartan pants will sell well than a pair.
10. Tupperware without Lids
All of us have a collection of meal prep containers whose lids have gone missing. If you can’t find the lid, wash it and put it in the donation pile. This is also a great project to help you start organizing the cabinets—win, win!
11. CDs and DVDs
OK, maybe you can prove me wrong, but I haven’t listened to a CD since 2014. Some may have sentimental value (me @ all my signed pop-punk albums of Warped Tour), but others I bought at Target on Black Friday, middle school, and forgot existed. Same goes for DVDs: if it’s a movie you can watch on Netflix or another streaming service, goodbye.
12. Earrings without a Match
I have a tendency to keep earrings that I’ve lost one. IDK, maybe I’ll find it one day? Nope, you won’t.
13. Old Paperwork
It is a good idea to keep a few folders of all the paperwork that you might need at any given time. However, these folders can quickly become overloaded. Take a look at what you have and prioritize what you might require. A bank statement from 2012 might not serve you when you’re applying for a loan, just as you probably don’t need receipts for furniture you’ve had for years.
14. Accessories You Don’t Wear Often
How often do your hair accessories, jewelry and scarves get tossed? While we might go through our clothes often, those other items might fall to the wayside when you’re decluttering your space. These pieces might be worth a second look if you have too many necklaces and not enough hats. These are items that you can sell or donate!
15. Old sheets and bedding
Buying new duvet covers and sheets to brighten up (or cozy up, depending on the season) your space is fun, but what happens your collection is overfilled with sheets and bedding you’ll likely never use again? It’s good to keep a few extras (especially for guests!However, a linen closet full can be reduced.
16. Anything You Haven’t Used in Six Months
This is where decluttering takes a new direction. These may not be items you think of immediately, but pay attention to what you use and love, and what’s been sitting in its place for a long time. The mug that just doesn’t hold as much coffee as you need in the morning, the candle that Always burns weird, the lipstick you never quite like on your skin tone—these items hide in plain sight and take up precious space in your home.
Source: The Every Girl
