Prep For Spring Cleaning With These Easy Tips

It’s never too early to begin planning for spring cleaning.

When it comes to decluttering trouble spots, reluctant spring cleaners often say they will “do it later” because they’re either overwhelmed or overly optimistic that things will resolve themselves.

Here are a few easy ways to attack the dreaded chore this year, courtesy of NY/NJ-based Westy Self Storage:

Make A List- While making a “to do” list may seem counterintuitive at first, it’s a great way of organizing the scope of your decluttering project. Take five minutes (or less) and write down what areas of your home need some organizational TLC, then number them according to their priority.

Handle One Drawer at a Time - You probably have a drawer whose bottom hasn’t been seen for quite some time. In just a few minutes you can pull everything out of a single drawer, return the items you need or use often, and put the rest into storage. And if you no longer need these items, it’s time for them to be tossed, recycled or given to a local charity.

Put Your Paperwork in Order - Mail and paperwork can pile up rather quickly over the course of a week (or month). One way to take care of mail is by creating an inbox for things you still need to read, and an outbox for any outgoing mail. For other types of paperwork, label a couple of manila folders for anything you need to keep, then discipline yourself to use them. That way, when you need to find something important, you won’t find the search nearly as exasperating.

The Medicine Cabinet - Vitamins, prescriptions and over-the-counter medications might be tucked away in places other than the bathroom, where they’re more likely to be remembered. By taking a moment to collect these items and make room for them in your medicine cabinet, you’ll make them more accessible, and your doctor will likely thank you for staying up on your health regimen.

Toss Anything Unusable - When you’re busy, putting a pen that no longer works back into a drawer or cup is easy, but eventually you end up playing Russian roulette with your collection of writing tools. If your pen or marker no longer works, your pencil has been whittled down to an uncomfortable nub, or you discovered an old battery – it’s time to toss these items out for good.

Dishes and Glasses - Have a cupboard overflowing with glassware and dishes? Pick out the mugs, glasses and dishes you use the most, and then pack away the rest for storage. Not only does this free up some precious cupboard space, but it also allows you to keep your dining ware in great condition for those special occasions with family and friends.

Check Expirations - Some time may have passed since you’ve gone through your kitchen on the hunt for expired items. This includes food hiding at the back of your refrigerator, cupboards and pantries. In as little as five minutes, you can quickly go through your food supplies and rid these areas of anything that has expired. You might be surprised at what you find.

Consolidate Your Cords - Even if you no longer own the electronics, you probably have a drawer full of cords and chargers located somewhere in your home. Spend some time gathering these cords together, then assess whether or not you’ll ever use them again. If not, they can usually be donated to a good cause.

Too Many Tubs - That wall of storage tubs you’ve built in your garage or spare bedroom? It’s time to free up these areas in order to create a space for exploring your hobbies and interests, or even better, a place to relax after a stressful day. By taking your plastic tubs of keepsakes and putting them into storage, you’re hanging on to the things that matter to you most, and making room for new kinds of memories.

The Bookshelf - Everyone has old newspapers and magazines lying around, but if you’re no longer reading these publications, they’re far more useful in the recycling bin than cluttering up your living room, bedroom and bathroom. You can also take a moment to straighten up your bookshelf and store a few away if you’re no longer reading them.

Sort Out Your Shoes - Entryways and closets are known for becoming cluttered with a cluster of footwear, which doesn’t necessarily make these areas visually appealing – or safe for walking. In five minutes (or less), you can pair shoes up with their mates and make them look much tidier, and you’ll also avoid the potential for scuffmarks in the process.

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File photo by eyeliam via Flickr Commons