Our closets often become a dumping ground for household items. It’s just so easy to pull the door closed and forget the stash. A quick cleanse can restore order to this overstressed space. Here are some of the top 10 things that can be quickly eliminated from the pile to jump start your closet cleanse: 1. […]
Our closets often become a dumping ground for household items. It’s just so easy to pull the door closed and forget the stash. A quick cleanse can restore order to this overstressed space. Here are some of the top 10 things that can be quickly eliminated from the pile to jump start your closet cleanse:
1. Empty product boxes – You know the ones…..they still have the Styrofoam inside for safe keeping. Meanwhile the product it once held will likely never make it back to the foam womb. And we have all been hijacked by the sleek, sturdy, and beautiful containers our Apple products are packaged in. Please, do yourself a favor. Release the boxes. Save your space.
2. Empty shoe boxes —that are literally empty! The resourceful side of our brain believes that we can use these again to hold “something.” If that something hasn’t made it in there–kick it to the recycle curb!
3. Grocery bags and eco-bags. Plastic bags can have a second life; they are used to clean up after pets, line our trash bins, or wrapping wet exercise gear. Finding a second use is fine….but it doesn’t mean we need to hoard more than a dozen or so at a time. Curb the volume on these…and save some space.
4. Paper that is past its prime. Bent printer paper, half-used notebooks and sticky notepads that no longer stick, wrapping paper and tissue that appears used. Consider condition and the impact it has on usefulness. Recycle what you can. You will accumulate more.
5. Old duffle bags and bookbags . We all have the duffle from that certain conference we attended or from the health fair giveaway. I think that people have a hard time parting with duffle bags because they “could be” useful. You might use a gym bag, you might travel and have use for a duffle. Pick your favorite, and let the rest be donated.
6. Briefcases and laptop bags . The same rule applies. The work-logo laptop bag that held our 14-pound work computer has likely ceased to be relevant or useful.
7. VHS tapes and other media that can no longer be viewed. Unless you have a true commitment to investing in restoration, these are doing you no good on a shelf.
8. Deteriorating photo albums . Your photos are not safe here! Pull out the photos, get rid of the rotting albums and magnetic pages.
9. Old board games. When is the last time you played Hungry Hippos as a family or located the game pieces that belong to an old favorite? Keep what is currently enjoyed and let the rest go.
10. Remove anything that might have a better home elsewhere such as sporting gear, dirty laundry, unseasonal shoes and outerwear.
