Identifying Items Consistently Eliminated by Skilled Home Declutterers
Identifying Items Consistently Eliminated by Skilled Home Declutterers
Following chats with numerous organization experts, we've come to understand that maintaining a tidy home isn't due to any hidden secrets. Maintaining an orderly garage, kitchen, wardrobe, dresser drawers, and bathroom requires consistent effort in eliminating items that no longer serve you or your home. This entails frequent closet clean-outs and tidying up of kitchens, offices, bathrooms, and garages.
If this feels like a daunting task, you're not alone. Many individuals opt to engage professional organizers to assist with the process. These professionals have a knack for starting the organization process in the right place, whether it be a chaotic bedroom closet or a kitchen cupboard overflowing with items. Fortunately, we discovered some organizers in the South who were gracious enough to share their insights. Here's a rundown of items that professional organizers frequently discard in a household:
Containers with Missing Lids or Bases
Nikki Bell of Just Us Organizing in Houston, Texas, emphasizes the importance of going through all Tupperware and bin containers and matching their lids. Whatever doesn't have a corresponding lid, is damaged, or not needed needs to be disposed of.
Unused Gifts or Souvenirs
These items with sentimental value can be tough to part with, but if they're not being used or displayed, they are simply occupying valuable space, according to Kenika Williams of Tidied by K, a professional organizing company based in Atlanta, Georgia.
Greeting Cards
If a greeting card recipient merely signs their name at the bottom, Alyssa Trosclair of Emend, a professional organizing service from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, recommends disposing of it. She keeps greeting cards that were personally addressed to her for a while, but ultimately scans them and stores them electronically.
Hangers that Don't Match
Since her clients expect her to create a visually pleasing and organized look, Tonia Tomlin of Sorted Out, a professional organizing company based in Dallas, Texas, starts by discarding all hangers that do not match.
Duplicate or Nearly Empty Makeup and Hair Products
Lindsay Melvin of Orchid Organizing in Atlanta emphasizes that makeup expires faster than most people realize, and if a product is cracked, nearly gone, or you have multiple versions, it's time to discard it.
Duplicate Kitchen Items
Reducing duplicates in the kitchen opens up space and makes it easier to find items when cooking, according to Kenika Williams from Tidied by K.
Shipping Boxes
Recycling them is a better option than keeping them "just in case," according to Alyssa Trosclair from Emend.
Tax-Related Papers More Than 7 Years Old
According to the IRS, most individuals with good tax standing do not need to keep tax-related paperwork for more than 7 years, suggests Trosclair.
Unused or Broken Electronics
Old technology, such as broken gadgets or outdated tech gear, should be recycled or donated to free up space and reduce clutter, accords to Kenika Williams from Tidied by K.
Manuals
Most manuals can be accessed online, and Trosclair only keeps the manuals for appliances, water heaters, and HVAC systems that will remain in her home in case she decides to sell it.
Apparel that No Longer Fits
Focus on wearing items that fit you well and make you look good, suggests Nikki Bell of Just Us Organizing. Keep a basket or bag in the closet to discard items that no longer fit.
Expired Foods
Tomlin of Sorted Out suggests discarding expired food in the pantry, refrigerator, cupboards, and spice rack.
Out-of-Date Medicine
Go through your medicine cabinets at least twice a year and discard expired medicine, advises Bell.
Plastic Utensils and Condiments from Takeout
Trosclair tries to inform the restaurant that she doesn't need the utensil packs, but if they include them, she donates them to schools or shelters.
Incorporating advice from Southern Living's featured organizers, implementing home organization strategies at your 'Home' involves discarding containers without matching lids or bases, as suggested by Nikki Bell from 'Just Us Organizing' in Houston, Texas. Additionally, Kenika Williams of 'Tidied by K' in Atlanta, Georgia, urges decluttering your home by getting rid of unused gifts or souvenirs that are occupying valuable space.