Here are six types of home clutter with tips on what to toss or keep.
New books you haven’t opened or readSeasonal items you bought on saleItems you purchased for gift-giving in the near future
Here are just a few other items that you might consider as trash:
Expired foodsMagazinesNewspapersJunk mailClothes needing repairOld broken eyeglasses
Consider tossing out a newspaper after three days, chucking a magazine after one month, and throwing out items that need repair after one month. Learn how long to save certain documents before you shredding them. If you don’t keep rules, you’ll run the risk of creating piles of junk. Stocking up and buying in bulk is not always bad. If you have a large freezer why not take advantage of deals on meats and frozen foods you know you’ll eat? There are also many items you’ll inevitably use without thinking twice, such as paper goods. However, think twice before stocking up on some fresh foods, pet foods, toiletries, clothing, and decor for many reasons:
Items may attract rodents and insects Ingredients could expire and spoil Your tastes and size could change Items can go out of style
The best way to banish this type of clutter is to have a conversation with yourself before purchasing the item. What about if you are determined to change your entire home’s style of decor? If you are just about to buy a drastically different style sofa, first ask yourself these questions to get clear on your intentions:
Why do you truly want to change your style of decor? What attracts you to the style? Can you first rent furniture in that style? Where are you going to put your current furniture?
You can part with sentimental clutter by following these steps:
Look at the item and decide if it’s usable or needs to be fixed in some way. Are you willing to fix broken parts or replace missing pieces? Choose a few important items to hold onto as mementos and donate or hand down the rest. Take photos of items before donating. Display a small number of items, such as photos or mementos, which will alleviate the guilt over tossing the rest.
