By: Consumer Reports Updated 02 Apr 2022, 18: 02 pm EDT
Separations are never easy, not even when it comes to separating from things in your house. This week I’ll share tips on how to amicably get rid of things you never use, so there are no regrets. Also in this article: How to get the most out of your gas tank, and do you know how many times a person moves on average in their lifetime?
“Let it go”
A few years ago, a friend who visited me for the first time in New York was amazed at my apartment. Not because it was spacious or pretty (it was neither), but because of how few things it had. “Did you just move to this place?”, She asked me, a little confused.
“No”, I told her, with a feeling between embarrassment and pride. “I’ve been living here for three years”.
To say that I like my things to be organized would be an understatement. One of my greatest pleasures is trimming my belongings like dead leaves. The endorphin rush that some people feel when buying new clothes or a technological device, I feel when I take things that I don’t use out of the dark corners of my house.
For those who want to declutter and clean up their environment this spring but don’t know how to get started, here are some steps to take, according to CR writers and editors who have reported on the topic .
Step 1: Stay or go?
If you find yourself paralyzed by the question of whether to throw something away, ask yourself these questions first, says Kevin Doyle, editor of CR’s business section, whose reports on how to throw of the things in your house have prompted him to stop keeping objects that he had kept for too long without a good reason.
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Do you really need it? If you don’t use it now, will you want it in five or 10 years? Let’s be realistic. Anyone who has ever said, “Oh, but I could use it in this X scenario in the future,” is lying to themselves. Including the current ratio.
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Do not underestimate the things you can sell. No matter how used it is an appliance or a piece of furniture, chances are someone will be willing to buy it. Trust my friend who was able to sell a sofa full of pet stains for $60 on Facebook Marketplace.
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But keep in mind the time and energy it will take to sell it . For example, if you have to get rid of your books, don’t do what I did, which was carry more than 18 books in a trip of 50 minutes by subway to a bookstore that paid $12 for the effort. Compared to other items, books are hard to sell, and you’re better off donating them to your local library or organizations that accept used books.
Can you replace it easily? When in doubt, keep in mind the rule of 20/20 minutes recommended by professional organizer Amanda Scudder: If it’s within your budget, something that costs $18 or less and that it takes 20 minutes or less to replace it, surely it can be eliminated, if you are thinking of throwing it away.
If you still have trouble letting go of Anyway, here’s the best advice Kevin says he’s gotten from interviewing multiple organizational experts: The less stuff you have, the more you value it.
Step 2: No thanks, next
Once you decide to get rid of something, There are three ways to say goodbye: Sell, donate or throw away.
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If you don’t have much time, donating may be the best option. If you want to donate to charity, please make sure the items are clean, safe and in good condition. And if you want to donate to your local community, consider groups like Red Freecycle and the Buy Nothing Project, says Kevin.
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Focus on the problem areas in your home. A good exercise is to look in your house for areas that seem to be saturated with junk or objects that do not belong there.
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Once you do, find practical storage solutions that work for you. Avoid any method that you know will cost you to maintain. For example, if your entryway doesn’t have a closet, your coats, shoes, and bags could end up scattered throughout the house. Instead of looking for different places to store all that in other rooms, you can get an entryway coat rack or a shelving system to put by the door, which is an easier and more pragmatic solution to reduce clutter.
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Clear first, before buying boxes and storage baskets. If you clear and tidy your space before you buy storage boxes, you may not need as many as you anticipated.
Make sure you throw things correctly. Not all objects should be thrown in the trash. Earth911 has an extensive database that indicates the most popular programs that collect household hazardous waste, and the Environmental Protection Agency’s Responsible Appliance Disposal Program offers a list of groups that collect and recycle refrigeration appliances such as freezers, refrigerators, and window air conditioners.
Step 3: I’m ready to clean
Cleaning the house is not just about throwing away stuff. It’s also about organizing your space so it looks less cluttered.
You can follow these general guidelines when organizing your home, says Anna Kocharian, an editor for CR’s shopping section who has reported on home organization and design of interiors during the last eight years.
Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2022, Consumer Reports, Inc.2022
Consumer Reports has no financial relationship with advertisers on this site. Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works with consumers to create a fair, safe, and healthy world. CR does not endorse products or services and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2022, Consumer Reports, Inc.