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As the majority of us are spending much more time in our homes in quarantine – instead of rushing in and out of them – right now any lack of organization – and clutter – is becoming (painfully) obvious.
These things usually occur because we are too busy to take too much notice, or simply don’t think we have the physical or mental energy at the end of a long work week to waste precious downtime on such mundane projects.
However, with more time at home during quarantine, and a pressing need, for many of us, to take our minds off the confusing realities of the world right now there may never be a better time to at least start the process of decluttering and home organization.
I say start because donations, and even disposal, of unwanted items is difficult right now, with many organizations closed or switching to remote work. Plus, there are some things we would normally place at the top of our “to toss” list that we might want to hang onto during quarantine.
However, you can still get a lot done, even if unwanted items have to live (neatly) in a corner of your garage and basement right now. With all this in mind here’s how to decide what ‘stuff’ you no longer need, as well as the items I’d recommend keeping, at least for right now.
Toss: Kitchen Appliances You Never Use
Let’s face it: If you aren’t going to use that bread maker your mother-in-law gifted you during quarantine—when it feels like everyone is baking sourdough and posting their efforts (that you could never imagine yourself replicating) on Instagram for the world to marvel at —you will probably never use it. And the same goes for that pasta maker, wok and other kitchen gadgets that are gathering dust at the back of your cabinets.
Toss: Clothes You No Longer Wear
As many people have already figured out, this COVID 19 lockdown is a great time to comb through your closet. If you’ve been living in PJs and sweatpants for the past few weeks, you now know which items you wear and which you don’t. Sort through your loungewear first, so you feel like you’re making progess.
Next, take a look at your work wardrobe. Especially if you haven’t been to the office in a while, some time apart from your work attire may give you a fresh perspective. Considering that some items may only be worn for special events or big presentations, set aside anything you haven’t worn in the past 12 months.
Toss: Old Cosmetics and Toiletries
If you’re going to the store less frequently, you may find yourself rummaging for extra soap, shampoo, or makeup in the back of your medicine cabinet. But be careful and check that you’re not using products that may be expired and could cause skin irritation. If you have empty bottles to toss out, check to see if they can be recycled.
Toss: Old Papers and Mail
Quarantine (along with tax season) makes this a good time to go through your documents and papers. Start by getting rid of any papers you definitely don’t need, like expired coupons and all of those mailed credit card offers.
Then, sort through old bank statements, medical bills, and other papers, filing those that you need to keep into clear categories. As many of us are finding ways to do everything—work, exercise, even visit museums—online right now, it might be the right time to switch to digital bank statements and other bills to cut down on paper clutter in the future.
Toss: Expired Pantry Items
You may have already crossed this to-do off of your list, but if not, there’s never been a better time to toss out expired items in your fridge or pantry. This way, you won’t have to worry about your family eating food that’s past its prime. An added bonus: You’ll gain so much extra space for the food you’re suddenly stockpiling.
Keep: Extra Bedding Sets
If you have more spare bedding sets than you need, you might want to hang onto them right now. As we’re all trying to wash our bedsheets more often, having a couple extra sets in the rotation will let you always have clean sheets without devoting all of your time to laundry. The same goes for bath towels and kitchen cloths too.
Keep: Food Storage Containers
If you have a cabinet overflowing with plastic food storage containers and lids, sorry, it may not be the right time to toss them out. While these containers often land on the top of our declutter checklists, during quarantine, they’ve become an essential.
As many of us cook more at home and are avoiding food waste, these containers can be used to store and label leftovers and prepped ingredients. Also, if you’re currently transferring packaged grocery items to containers, this storage is a must-have. Once this is all over you can probably add these items to your ‘to toss’ piles, but for now they are probably still a big help.
Feeling the need to declutter your space during quarantine but struggling to start? As the current regulations make it hard for me, as a professional home organizer, to come to you personally to lend a hand as I usually do, I am offering a virtual organizing service that many clients are finding effective and helpful. To learn more about it, and how to book an appointment, please click here.
Working with Taya and her team is easy. You can book an appointment easily on her website, or contact her directly at 832-271-7608
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