It’s that time of the year again! Time for you to go through your home and organize everything that has accumulated throughout the year. That’s right; it’s time for Spring Cleaning! Whether it’s actually spring or the middle of winter, it’s time to get your house in order. This is not an enjoyable task, but it has to get done. After all, we all enjoy our home more when it is clutter free. To help you get started, here are some tips and hints to help you get rid of your old, unwanted stuff, sometimes with minimal effort from you!
Clothes and Garments
Whether you have a bridesmaid dress from your cousin’s wedding four years ago, or a shirt you bought that didn’t fit and you lost the receipt for, most of us have clothes that we could easily part with. So get your unwanted t-shirts, jackets, skirts, jeans, and shoes gathered together into a simple garbage bag. Then, all you need to do is find a simple donation drop off box for garments. These are very common. Many charity organizations have them, whether they be Good Will, the Red Cross, or some other charity. In fact, most of these organizations try to make your donating as easy as possible, and put drop boxes at many stores or supermarkets. This makes it easy for you to rid yourself of your old clothes. Just look for one of these boxes on your way to work or when you’re out shopping, and you can get rid of your clutter with minimal fuss.
Stuffed Animals and Other Toys
For those of us with kids, it seems there are always more toys then are needed. Some playthings they grow out of, and others they lose interest in. In that case, it would be better to get those toys to a child who will better appreciate them. Luckily, many charities encourage us to donate toys. You will often see toy “drives” where you are allowed to drop off unwanted items at your local supermarket and the charity will make sure that the items will get into the hands of those who will appreciate them. Or if there are no local drives, many churches are happy to take your old stuffed animals like teddy bears, plush cats, lions and games off your hands. You could even do a simple search on the internet and find someone locally to take your toys and get them into the hands of needy children in other countries.
Furniture and Home Accessories
These are often the most difficult items to get rid of. After all, they are heavy and take up a lot of space. Still, you will be surprised how grateful others will be take furniture off your hands. Ask around with your friends and family, and perhaps someone will know a college student who would be more than happy to a get a free sofa for their apartment or dorm. They’ll probably even transport it themselves! Remember, your junk could be someone else’s treasure. And if you can’t find anyone, and are at all tech savvy, you could put an ad out on one of the many free internet classifieds, such as Craig’s List. These are all great ways to get rid of your heavy furniture without having to expend much energy or cash on transportation costs. (You could also sell your old furniture for cash if it’s in good condition). And if you have the ability to carry an item a short distance, you could even set it at the end of your driveway with a “free” sign on it. Someone will probably stop by and happily take it off your hands! Furniture doesn’t have to be as difficult to get rid of as you think!
So as you can see, no matter what form your unwanted clutter takes, there’s always a way to get it into the hands of someone who will appreciate it. You can donate them to friends, family, or acquaintances, give them to a charity to place with the needy, or simply have someone pick them up from your door! Remember, spring cleaning does not have to be incredibly difficult. Just keep in mind these tips for making your clutter someone else’s treasure. Good luck!
