The holidays are always a whirlwind of celebrations and often feel a little chaotic. But now that the last box of holiday decorations is stuffed and you managed to cram it into a packed closet, you are ready to relax.
As we settle into the shorter days and bitterly cold nights, snuggling up on the couch to “Netflix and Chill” seems like a perfect way to end a long day. Watching shows with beautiful modern homes, clean organized rooms, and sleek designs give you ideas of what you want next.
Of all the shows, watching someone declutter and organize a home feels weird but also a little satisfying. “If only I had time to make my house look like that!” The clutter is gone. Toys are organized. And that random box of stuff your mom dropped off 10-years ago is finally displayed or tossed in the trash after you’ve thanked it for the memories (thanks Marie Kondo)!
Whether you’ve lived in your home for 2 years or 20, it’s amazing how quickly your home becomes packed with things you might use later, only to be lost at the bottom of a closet or drawer to never be seen again until you move.
That’s one of the surprising benefits of moving. You FINALLY get the chance to clean out and get rid of all that stuff you’ve been keeping – like those toys from restaurants when your kids were 6 and now they are 16 and driving.
If the thought of a clean and organized home sounds amazing but also a little intimidating, we’re here to help you with a 30-day Declutter Challenge. It will help you finally clean out those stubborn areas so you can enjoy your home or put you a step ahead if you decide to move in 2022.
JANUARY is National Get Organized month!
Just like the 30-day fitness or healthy living challenges in January help you reset your health so you feel great, a 30-day declutter challenge to reset your home is also beneficial. It’s like a mini-spring cleaning during the winter when we are spending more time at home. You can finally get rid of all the extra stuff laying around the house and that box in the corner of the garage that was meant for the Salvation Army months ago.
So where do you start?
Instead of choosing a huge area of your home like cleaning the garage or organizing your closet, starting out with a smaller more manageable project like the toy box or junk drawer can help you feel the momentum of getting your home clean and organized without the stress of giving up.
We’ve put together a list of areas in your home to declutter over 30-days so you can tackle one area each day. Even if you don’t finish the room, challenge yourself to spend 30-minutes a day decluttering to get rid of unused items so you can organize what you need to keep. If you focus on one room or area at a time until your entire house is clean and organized, it will not only look great, but you will feel great too.
TIPS FOR CLEANING AND ORGANIZING YOUR HOME:
TIP #1: STORAGE & SHELVING
As you clean out different areas of your house, keep a list of items you may need to help organize the items you are keeping. Do you need drawer organizers? A few new bins for the storage closet? Shelves for your garage for the kid’s toys?
After you’ve sorted and decided on what you want to keep, you may decide you need a new closet organization system from one of the box stores or hire a contractor to build something custom for you. Keep a running list of what you need and where it will go so you can make one trip to the store. You’ll not only keep from making multiple trips, but you may find extra bins around your home after you’ve decluttered an area.
TIP #2: CONSIGN & DONATE
As you clean out areas in your home, a lot of items will end up in the trash, but you’ll also have items that are still good to sell or donate to a local charity.
Facebook has several marketplace groups where you can sell or give items away so you don’t have to deal with the hassle of storing items for a spring garage sale. Consignment stores and seasonal children’s consignment events are great places to sell your gently used items and get a little cash, too.
If you’re not up to selling or consigning your items there are several organizations in the area that depend on receiving gently used items to serve their community.
One of those organizations is CATCH of Idaho, which the Mike Brown Group supports, to help end homelessness in the Treasure Valley. They provide apartments for families who are transitioning from homelessness so they can create a better life for their families. CATCH provides everything a family needs to set up their apartment and donations like sheets, vacuums, and kitchen supplies. When you donate items you don’t need or won’t use to a charity like CATCH, you are making a positive impact on families but creating change in our community.
Habitat for Humanity ReStore will often take building materials, lights, fans, and other household items that can be used in homes. If you are in the middle of a remodel or have some materials in the corner of your garage that are still in good condition you just don’t need them, you can call to see if they will accept those items. Like CATCH, donations not only help you get rid of unused items in your home but also help families in our community.
TIP #3: RECYCLE & TRASH
Although it’s easy to toss everything into a trash bag and put it on the curb for weekly pick-up, there are items you can recycle.
Items you can recycle:
- Glass
- Lightbulbs
- Batteries
- Electronics
- Paper & Books
- Boxes
For a complete list, you can visit the Republic Services website and see how and where to recycle these items, especially if there are too many for your recycle bin.
Pharmaceuticals and over-the-counter medication should also be recycled instead of tossed down the sink or put in the trash bin. Many pharmacies will take old medication and recycle it for you but be sure you call before you take your old medication to the store.
START 2022 WITH A CLUTTER-FREE HOME
Cleaning out drawers, closets, and rooms in your home may not be something on your bucket list of things to do in 2022, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. When you take even 30-minutes a day to clean out your home and reset it for the year ahead, you’ll be ready for whatever home goals you have planned.
Whether you plan on staying in your home so you can enjoy having friends over or you’re considering moving into a new home, by taking the 30-day Declutter Challenge, you’ll be organized and ready for the year ahead.
Cover Photo Credit: iStock.com/Polina Strelkova