Dabl at Home
Tips to Declutter Your Home for Some Pre-Spring Cleaning
Declutter your home by spring using these helpful suggestions.
Why save cleaning for the spring? Start decluttering now, while the weather is chilly and you’re spending more time inside. There are so many benefits to downsizing the amount of material possessions you have. You’ll feel more organized, relaxed, and have greater financial freedom. Do you really need all of that clothing in your closet or those many pots and pans jammed into your kitchen cabinets? Most likely, the answer is no. Here are four suggestions to get you on the way to decluttering your home now, so you’ll have a stress-free spring!
Follow the 3-Month Rule
This simple rule is an easy way to evaluate if it’s time to say “sayonara” to an item. This rule especially applies to clothing; if you haven’t worn a pair of jeans or sweater in the past three months, you’re likely not going to any time soon. Similarly, if you have multiple spatulas in your kitchen, but there’s one that’s your go-to, why clutter your drawers with the others?
Similarly, organizing extraordinaire, Marie Kondo, recommends asking yourself if a particular item “sparks joy.” Meaning, if you hold up a t-shirt from your closet, does it make you feel good, or do you feel indifferent? Only keep joyful items. We so often hold onto old books, games, and knick-knacks. Do they bring you joy and feelings of nostalgia? Or do they bring you stress and frustration with how much room they’re taking up in your home?
Ditch Duplicates
Over the years, we tend to purchase items we don’t necessarily need. Have you ever lost something, replaced it, only to find the original item years later? Don’t hold onto them both! No one really needs multiple items, like tools. One hammar, one screwdriver, and one leveler is really enough! Out with the old, and in with the new(er) of the bunch.
One place where you likely have multiples is your bathroom. Have tons of make-up bags? Toss them all and replace them with this make-up bag and organizer by Syntus.
Cosmetic Storage Bag
This cosmetic bag is portable and lightweight, so it’s great for travel as well as at home. Stay organized with the adjustable dividers.
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$17.99 on AmazonWe especially love items that are multi-use. For example, if you have wires all over the place to charge your many devices, a 3-in-1 charger like this one from Seneo could clear up some of that clutter. It will also allow you to discard of rouge wires and chargers you no longer use.
3 in 1 Wireless Charging Station
This charging station won’t clutter your space with tons of wires. If you’re an Apple user, you’ll love that your iPhone, Apple Watch, and Airpods can all be charged at once on the same device.
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$24.99 on AmazonEmbrace the 80/20 Rule
Have you ever heard of the 80/20 rule? It’s a business rule that means that 80% of results come from 20% of the causes. It can also be applied to your closet: we wear 20% of our clothing, 80% of the time! That leaves a lot of clothing simply taking up space.
When you apply this principle, you’ll realize you can toss or donate a large percentage of your closet. Once you’ve cleared out the clutter, you can make space for a few items that you love. When you’re looking for quality over quantity, you can spend more money on items you’ll wear over and over again, and less on cheaper items you’ll wear once or twice and then forget about.
To get you started, here are five items we suggest every woman should have in her closet:
A Good White T-Shirt - toss any that have holes, stains, or are stretched out, and invest in one that fits well, and can be worn alone or layered.
Whisper Cotton V-Neck Tee
This t-shirt is so soft, you’ll want to wear it with everything. And the good news is, you can!
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$19.50A T-Shirt Bra - This first layer is often overlooked, but it can affect your entire outfit. Finding a bra that's comfortable and fits well will do wonders for your overall appearance.
24/7 Classic T-Shirt Bra
ThirdLove knows how to make a bra, and the 24/7 Classic T-Shirt Bra is their number-one seller. It creates a smooth shape and silhouette, so it works well no matter what you have one.
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$65Well-Fitting Jeans - you don’t need tons of jeans. Start with one that fits you well and you can wear both them day and night.
High-Waisted Dark-Wash Super Skinny Ankle Jeans
You’ll quickly fool folks into thinking you’re wearing designer jeans when you have this stylish pair from Old Navy on. The dark denim wash seamlessly transitions from day to night apparel, and the stretch will flatter any shape.
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$18Black Pants - perfect for date night or a professional occasion, black pants are a girl’s best friend.
Logan Trouser-Fit Washable Bi-Stretch Pant
The look of the flat front with a trouser crease is professional yet stylish. Stretch fabric makes these pants ones you’ll want to wear even lounging at home: they’re that comfortable!
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$59.00 (originally $98.00!)A Classic Blazer - blazers can be both business chic and a stylish weekend option.
Tweed Double Breasted Blazer
Tweed automatically brings a level of sophistication to this blazer, and the neutral black and white color lets you pair with it with any other colors you desire! Put it on over your white t-shirt and jeans for a more casual look, or, wear it with black pants for a more formal look.
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$73.50Feel Great and Donate!
We’ve all heard the expression, “one person’s trash is another person’s treasure,” and it’s true! There are so many places you can donate your used items that no longer serve you, but will mean the world to someone else.
Goodwill is a well-known non-profit organization that has locations across the country. Your donated goods will be resold in their retail thrift stores, and profits will go to help individuals with employment and job training, as well as other community-based programs. Goodwill accepts gently used clothing, and household items both large and small. You can find your local Goodwill here as well as donation boxes to drop off items.
For those of you who have tons of work-wear to unload, like suits and dresses, Dress for Success will gladly accept those items. This non-profit organization strives to empower women to achieve economic independence. Their mission says they do this by “providing a network of support, professional attire and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.” Find a donation affiliate location here.
If you have clothing that is past the point of being wearable, don’t assume that it’s trash. Plant Aid is able to take those donations. Their used textile recycling program takes your donated clothing and shoes and recycles them. By doing this, you’re helping the environment cut down on greenhouse gas emissions and preventing clothing from ending up in landfills. Planet Aid then takes the clothing from their bins to be resold or reused in developing countries. Those proceeds go to a host of development projects. Learn more about Planet Aid and find a donation bin here.
And don't stop the cleaning at your home - make sure you give your car the same TLC with these amazing decluttering ideas.
Want to know where to start decluttering? Check out our declutter help guide here.
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