When it comes to decluttering your home, the hardest part can be knowing when to keep something and when to get rid of it. It’s easy to convince yourself to hang onto something “just in case,” but if that thing is taking up valuable space in your home, you need to ask yourself whether or not it’s worth it. If you’re ready to do some decluttering, then you need to decide whether you want to keep, toss, or donate it – and here are some ways to make the process just a little bit easier.
Do you use it?
The first step is to take a good, hard look at what you have. If you haven’t used it in the past year, chances are you won’t use it in the future. This is especially true for clothes – if you haven’t worn something in a year, why are you hanging onto it?
Does it have sentimental value?
Next, ask yourself whether or not the item has sentimental value. If it does, then you may want to keep it even if you don’t use it regularly. However, if it doesn’t have sentimental value, then you need to be honest with yourself about whether or not you actually like it. Just because something is expensive doesn’t mean you have to keep it forever!
Do you have space for it?
If it’s taking up valuable real estate in your home, then it might be time to get rid of it. Remember, less is more when it comes to decluttering!
Is it useful?
Finally, think about whether or not the item is actually useful. If it’s something that you use regularly and enjoy, then obviously you should keep it. But if it’s something that you never use and don’t even really like, then get rid of it!
Now that you’ve asked yourself these questions, it’s time to make some decisions as to whether you want to keep, toss, or donate the items you are decluttering.
Here are some popular items that you can consider donating:
- Clothing and shoes – This is one of the most popular items to donate. Charities can sell clothes to raise money, or they can distribute them to people in need.
- Furniture – Old couches, chairs, and tables can be a godsend for families in need or individuals who are moving into a new home.
- Linens – Towels, bedding, and curtains are always needed by charities that serve families or individuals experiencing homelessness.
- Household items – If you have unwanted items taking up space in your home, consider donating them to a local charity. Items such as dishes, small appliances, and silverware are often needed.
- Toys – Children grow out of toys quickly, so donating them is a great way to clear out your home and bring some joy to a child who may not have many toys of their own.
- Books – Books can be donated to schools, libraries, or local charities. If you have books that you no longer read or need, consider donating them instead of throwing them away.
- Electronics – Donating old electronics is a great way to recycle them and keep them out of landfills. You can donate phones, laptops, and other devices to schools or local charities that provide them to families in need.
As for items you should no longer keep or donate:
- Things that are broken or falling apart
- Items that have no value for anyone
- Anything that may be missing pieces
- Anything expired
We hope these tips help you to declutter your home and make more space for the things you love. Remember, just because something is taking up space in your house doesn’t mean you have to keep it forever. Be honest with yourself about what you need and what you want, and let go of the rest!
