12 Easy Steps to Declutter Your Home in the New Year
The start of 2023 is the perfect opportunity to refresh our minds, bodies, and environments by unpacking all of the junk we carried over from 2022. Yes, the literal junk! It’s time to get started on your New Year’s Resolution to declutter your home and finally let go of all the unnecessary items that have piled up over the last year.
Starting the clean-out process can be intimidating but keep in mind that the more stuff you have, the more you need to manage. As we say goodbye to 2022, let’s also say goodbye to all of these unnecessary clutter items:
1. The Junk Drawer
Let’s be honest; even the most organized home has a junk drawer tucked away somewhere. We’re not saying you have to dump the entire contents of the drawer into the trash can, but take a moment to pick out the dead batteries, broken chargers or earbuds, dried pens and markers, and all of the other trash that accumulates over the year.
2. Old Pillows & Bedding
Did you know that your pillows should be replaced every 1-2 years? Chances are that you’ve been holding onto yours for too long. It’s time to let go and invest in a new one. Take the time to go through your linen closet and free up space by getting rid of old pillows and bed sheets that are no longer in use.
3. Unused Kitchen Tools
Kitchen gadgets are a popular gift for birthdays and holidays, so there’s a good chance that you’ve built up a stash of tools that haven’t been used since they were first unpackaged. Clean out all of the extra wooden spoons and wine openers and get rid of any kitchen contraption that you don’t have a use for.
4. Expired Products
While it may seem obvious to discard any expired food items before they start to stink, there are other less obvious products in your home that may also need to go. Toiletries go bad in 2-3 years, cleaning products can expire in as little as 6 months, and even your smoke detectors need to be replaced every 10 years.
5. Dingy Towels
Either you’re washing your bathroom towels every two days like we’re all supposed to, or they’re covered in bacteria from not being washed often enough. In either case, they’re likely getting worn out and dirty. Say goodbye to any raggedy, thinning towels and invest in a new set for the new year.
6. Puzzles, Games, and Toys with Missing Pieces
If you opened a board game or sat down to do a puzzle last year only to find out that a vital piece is missing, you’re probably very familiar with the unique level of frustration that situation causes. It’s time to come to terms with the fact that the missing piece isn’t coming back; it’s time to part ways with the puzzle, board game, deck of cards, or other toys that are missing an essential piece.
7. Empty Gift Cards
Every time you find a gift card in your home, do you have to ask yourself if there’s still money on it? If so, then it’s time to get into the habit of throwing the cards away when they’re spent instead of stashing them in a junk drawer in your home. Check the cards you have and then make sure you never leave yourself wondering again!
8. Mysterious Keys
Do you have any idea what the pile of keys in your junk drawer are supposed to unlock? If the answer is no, throw them away. Chances are that you’ve never run into a situation where you’ve needed to unlock something but didn’t have the right key. It’s likely that the pile you have is full of old locks that aren’t even in use anymore.
9. Old Holiday Decorations
Decor items that weren’t in use this past holiday season aren’t likely to see any use next year. Before packing away the seasonal decorations, take the time to get rid of any items that you don’t see yourself using anymore. Be sure to also dispose of any items that have become damaged beyond your ability to repair them.
10. Sentimental Clutter
The hardest things to get rid of are the items that you would feel guilty for parting with. Gifts from family and friends, inherited items, or objects that hold special memories can still become unused clutter items that take up unnecessary space in your home. Letting go of an item does not mean you’re letting go of that person or memory; it’s okay to say goodbye.
11. Unused Storage Containers
Organizing and decluttering your home also means organizing and decluttering your organization system. Empty or broken plastic totes, unnecessary desk organizers, and other organization solutions that aren’t in use just become additional clutter for you to worry about. You likely won’t need or use these containers; get rid of them!
12. Outdated Technology
It’s time to say goodbye to CDs, DVDs, floppy disks, VHS tapes, cassette tapes, and other defunct tech, especially if you no longer have a way to play the disks or tapes. Old televisions, computers, or accessories that are no longer in use should be disposed of as well as that disorganized box of chargers and cords.
If you’re doing a major cleanout to kick off the New Year, you may need a larger solution than your regular trash bin for all of the stuff you’re getting rid of. Oaks Dumpster Rental has the perfect solution for you no matter what size or scale of your cleanup project! Give us a call or send us an email to get started today.