cleaning Archives - I Thrive Here

May 9, 2017 by T. Michael Fairchild Leave a Comment

Gain Cash And Comfort When You Declutter – Part 10

If you’ve moved to a different residence a time or two in your life, you are probably familiar with how easy it is to accumulate stuff. It’s common for people to say they will never again have so much stuff, only to find themselves in the same position a few years down the line when they’re ready to move again. It can be incredibly frustrating to feel closed-in by your clutter. You know that downsizing some of your items and organizing things a bit can lead to a more comfortable, peaceful, and less stressful home. Most people do not realize when considering decluttering that they can actually gain quite a bit of cash during this process, as well. Selling the things you no longer use can add up to a pretty penny if you know how to do it strategically. Read on to learn some ways to gain both cash and comfort when you declutter your home.

Start With the Storage Areas

Where do you keep most of the things you own, but no longer use? Yep, it’s all in the basement, attic, garage, shed, storage unit or closet. It doesn’t matter where you store your stuff, what matters is the bounty you can find there. Storage bins are also treasure troves of long-forgotten items that may hold some value. When decluttering, set aside the things you no longer use, but that might fetch a decent price on Craigslist, Ebay, LetGo, or in a garage sale.

Check Out the Kitchen

Dig through your cupboards to see what kinds of finds are hiding in there. Look particularly closely at the bottom cupboards and in the back to discover those gadgets or pieces that may not have been all that handy for you, but that a serious baker or collector would love.

Sort Through Your Clothing

Clothes can be worth quite a bit of money if they’re in good shape and are a coveted brand name. Even items without designer labels can add up to a bit of cash if you have a lot to sell. Places like consignment shops, online swap sites or even yard sales are suitable for selling clothing. Again, eBay and Craigslist are also options, but they could be more time consuming.

Gather Your Gadgets

Old electronic devices can often maintain their value. You’d be surprised what you can get from even broken gadgets that others can use for parts and some vintage electronics are going for good money these days. Gather up your unused or broken electronics, and then do a little research to see what they’re going for. Amazon and eBay have programs that pay cash for electronic devices or you can market them to individual sellers on the sites. A Google search can lead you to other sites that buy these things. Be sure to take time to compare so you get the highest payout possible.

Selling your old stuff for cash really isn’t as intimidating as it may seem, and it’s frequently worth your time. You’ll be thrilled when you realize how much better the cash that your clutter brings can store in your wallet and you inherit a clutter-free home, as a bonus!

Thank you for following, and hopefully benefitting from our 10 part series on Decluttering Your Space, Your Life and Mind.

May 2, 2017 by T. Michael Fairchild Leave a Comment

Fifty Easy Items To Toss Out On Your Decluttering Journey – Part 9

Deciding what to get rid of is one of the toughest parts of decluttering. It’s natural to develop a certain attachment to your possessions, and it can seem wasteful to give away something you’ve hardly used. Believe it or not, there are some things that really aren’t that difficult to part with. Start with this list of 50 easy items to toss on your decluttering journey, and you’ll soon be paring down like a pro.

Junk mail
Broken or ugly jewelry (Broken or not, gold is money!)
Old Calendars
Duplicates of anything
Nearly empty perfume bottles
Old makeup
Outgrown toys or games
Heavily worn socks, underwear, or clothing
Boxes from electronics or small appliances
Unused paint (unless it is touch up paint for your home)
Kids’ clothes that no longer fit
Non-perishable food items you haven’t eaten (donate to your local church or food bank)
Excess shopping bags
Outdated holiday ornaments
Broken laptops or devices you’ve been meaning to fix
Unused blankets
Old trophies or memorabilia you no longer value
That collection of buttons you never sewed back on
Unnecessary receipts
Unused or old spices
Accessories for hobbies you no longer pursue
Frozen foods past their use by dates
Small appliances that you never use
Vacation souvenirs you never look at
Purses long out of style
Instruction manuals for things you no longer own
Last year’s calendar
Craft supplies for projects never begun or completed
Pens that don’t work
Beauty products that don’t suit you
Stuff that’s been in your junk drawer forever
The clutter at the bottom of your purse
Pantyhose or tights with runs
Gift you never liked in the first place
Anything you forgot you even had
Pet supplies from animals that have long passed
Chipped dishware or cookware
Home decor that no longer fits your personality
Earrings without a mate
Games with missing pieces
Old magazines
Books you’ve read once or will likely never read
Expired medicines
Electronics chargers without a device
Excess or mismatched glassware
Toys from fast-food children’s meals
Videos you no longer watch (anything VHS not a collector’s item)
Kitchen gadgets or excess utensils you don’t use (sandwich press, smore’s makers, the super-dooper-what-a-gadget that you paid way too much money for, etc.)
Scraps of or faded wrapping paper

50. Swimwear with snags

Do you see? There are lots of things you can discard or donate easily with little stress. Go give it a try, yourself, and see how your motivation increases when it comes to ditching your old stuff. You’ll be making a big dent in your clutter before you know it!

April 18, 2017 by T. Michael Fairchild Leave a Comment

Decluttering A Whole Room In Just One Afternoon – Part 7

You may dread the idea of trying to tackle decluttering your home, but it is a task that must be done. There are a number of ways to approach the process, but sometimes you just want to get this job out of the way as quickly as possible. If that’s how you feel, you’ll want to read on to discover just how to declutter an entire room in just one afternoon.

The Right Tools For The Job

You’ll need some tools to make this job easier. Be sure to have large garbage bags for trash and for the items that you want to recycle. Get some baskets to hold things you plan to keep or sort and cardboard boxes for donations. You’ll also need post-it notes and a marker for labeling. Finally, a timer will keep you on track. Set aside a large space for sorting; this can be on a bed, a card table or just the middle of the floor…your choice.

Label The Baskets

Use the post-its and marker to label your baskets. You’ll want one for Keep, one for Action Needed (for repairs, returning to friends, etc.), one for Sell and one for Move (to another room). You may also wish to label your boxes if you plan to donate to separate places.

Have A Plan

Create a strategy for the manner in which you plan to tackle the room. Always go in a single direction, focus on one shelf or drawer and commit to never returning to an area you’ve already hit. You may wish to start with the back of the room and work from left to right, then toward the door. Or you could begin at side of the room, moving steadily across to the other side. But whatever you do, HAVE A PLAN FIRST!

Start With The Biggest

Before you get down to the smaller tasks of emptying drawers or clearing shelves, it makes sense to get rid of any large items you can first. Set a timer for 15 minutes enlist a friend or family member to help carry and start moving any big stuff you plan to get rid of in some way. Stuff like furniture falls into this category. Make another 15-minute sweep if necessary, but be thorough.

Step Down To The Medium Stuff

If you’ve gotten some of the big things out of the room, you probably now have more space for sorting. Medium-sized items come next in the decluttering process. Simply repeat the same steps you took for the large items, except you will put these items in their designated containers instead of removing them from the room completely. Again, set your timer for 15 minutes. If it warrants it, make another 15 minute pass.

Time To Tackle The Small Stuff

Once again, repeat the process with the small things. This is likely where you’ll need your sorting space like the bed or card table and it will take the most time, so feel free to set your timer a few extra rounds.

Even with an extremely cluttered room, this process shouldn’t take more than several hours to complete. Be firm with yourself when it comes to deciding what to discard. Don’t sit there and debate with yourself over getting rid of something, go with your gut decision and move on. Keep only what enhances your life. If necessary, come back the next day to organize. The important part is removing what is no longer needed. At the end…one more room done on your way to having a happy, clean, organized, and Zen home.

April 4, 2017 by T. Michael Fairchild 1 Comment

5 Reasons Why Decluttering, Alone, Won’t Work – Part 5

Decluttering can be a very worthwhile and valuable project. There is a wide array of benefits to the process. Yet, decluttering on its own is a fruitless effort. Without personal evaluation and insight, any progress you make will more than likely be undone in a short period of time. Read on to discover why decluttering won’t work and how deeper personal insight can lead to lasting change.

Decluttering doesn’t require introspection

Getting rid of stuff you haven’t used in the last year or donating an item of clothing for each new piece you bring home are short-term fixes. For decluttering methods to work, you must reflect on your reasons for the decisions you make about your possessions, such as making statements on your values, passions and desires.

Decluttering won’t help you understand your attachment to possessions

Dig a little deeper, you must actually consider your motivations behind your attachment to the stuff you own. For example, do you hold onto things because you fear being without? Further thought may lead to the realization that you are holding onto habits from a childhood of poverty and that it’s okay now to let go of your over-abundance of stuff.

Decluttering doesn’t necessarily benefit others

Decluttering without mindfulness does little to help others who could benefit from your excess. Taking steps to get rid yourself of some things and tidy up, without understanding your reasons for doing so, rarely leads to the benefits that could come from purposeful action. When you understand what you hope to gain from this release of clutter, you can significantly pare down your possessions, allowing more people to benefit from your abundance.

Decluttering has no impact on your debt

You may think decluttering can help you raise some cash by selling your unwanted things. However, without examining your motives for acquiring so much stuff and evaluating your priorities in life, you’re practically guaranteed to buy more items to take the place of those you’ve sold.

Decluttering rarely leads to lifestyle changes

Mindless decluttering is temporary. Your clean and organized environment is merely a illusion that isn’t likely to last. If you want to change your life by implementing healthy changes and making positive strides, you first must do the work of introspection. Taking time to evaluate what has led to your clutter and to consider your lifestyle goals will go a long way toward creating a soothing home environment that lasts.

Decluttering doesn’t work on its own, but combining it with mindfulness can lead to success.

March 24, 2017 by T. Michael Fairchild Leave a Comment

10 Decluttering Steps You Can Take Today – Part 3

If you’ve been procrastinating on a home decluttering project, chances are the reason behind your hesitation is feeling overwhelmed or just not knowing where to start. Those things can trip anyone up on the road to organization. When you find yourself stuck in a pattern of avoidance, the best method to change that pattern is to start with small tasks. Even taking just one little step is progress. To help you along your way, consider one of these dozen tiny decluttering steps you can take today.

Clear Only One Surface

Clear your kitchen table. If that’s too overwhelming for you yet, then choose a segment of your countertop. Make it a surface you see and use daily, and be sure to keep it spotless.

Empty One Shelf

Now that you have a surface cleared that you will see every day to provide you motivation, you can take your next small step to another small task. Empty one shelf. Remember to continue to keep it neat.

Create A Paper Zone

Nothing accumulates and gets out of control like papers. Mail, sales paers, coupons, receipts, misc. papers, etc. Designate an area as a catchall for your paperwork, and always place new papers in that tray or box.

Find Permanent Homes for 5 Things

We all have a few items that never seem to get put away or don’t have a steady place in your home to reside. Carefully choose your five most commonly left-out items that don’t have a “home”, and find special places to put or store them permanently.

Donate or Dispose of Three Pieces of Clothing

Clothes are often the worst to declutter. Choose just three pieces to give away or get rid of each day while getting ready. Soon you’ll have a bag full. Once the bag is full, don’t hold on to it “in case you lose a few more pounds”, get rid of it by bringing it to your local donation center or throw it away. Don’t delay!

Dump One Drawer

Pick just one drawer in your home that you would like to declutter the most. Then dump it out. This lets you see everything at a glance and makes the sorting process easier. Again, only keep what you use or will use within 6 months. If you are hanging on to things “just in case” or think “I might need this later” you set yourself on the path of failure of what you are trying to achieve.

Organize Your Medicines

Medicine, bandages and other health supplies should be kept together, not spread out all over your home. Tackle just your medicine cabinet, or bathroom closet shelf creating a neat and tidy place to keep the up-to-date items you use daily. Keep you occasional medications separate in a storage container that you can keep in your bathroom closet or cabinet. Remember that your night stand isn’t the proper place to keep your medicines on a regular basis unless you are ill.

Create a Simple File System

Remember that paper zone? At the rate that we all receive paperwork and other papers these days it will soon overflow. Create just a few file folders to hold your most common categories of paperwork. Then sort through the documents in your tray to file them quickly in their place. Then once you have a few minutes of free time you can sort through these files and file your papers in a more permanent location.

Take That Bin or Bag to the Car or to the Curb

Once you have a few tiny tasks underway, you’ll likely end up with a sizeable amount of stuff to donate or trash. Take the bag or box out to your car to deliver to the thrift shop or put it out for the trash men to pick up. See how easy it is to get rid of stuff?

Picture Your Finished Room

These small decluttering tasks are quickly adding up. Take a look around and visualize how your room might look when completely pared down and organized. Visualization is a powerful motivator.

Taking small decluttering steps is easy. Soon you’ll be on your way to major, positive life changes.

I Thrive Here On Twitter