Spring Cleaning and Purging

As the weather gets warmer, many of us tend to get into the spring cleaning mode.  Purging of old items can be very cathartic and provide more storage space in your home.   I always find it surprising how much stuff I personally have until I get rid of things by asking myself the following questions:

• Have I worn it, used it or looked at it in a year?
• Have I been keeping it "just in case", and the "just in case" hasn't occurred?
• Is it broken beyond repair?
• Is it even really mine, or does it belong to someone (I can't remember who, and never will; it's been so long)?
• Am I holding on to this out of guilt but will never really use it?
• Has the item lived past its purpose and for all intent and purposes is 'done'?

Once you have established your 'pile of purge', consider the following:

• Many thrift stores will take items as a donation and provide a receipt
• The Salvation Army may pick up furniture and clothing in your town.  (Visit www.salvationarmy.org)
• The Lupus Foundation often leaves plastic bags in your mail box hoping for clothes donations.  (www.lupus.org)
• If you have time, sell anything worthwhile on eBay or Craig's list.

For the items  you decide to keep; the precious things, the usable things, the stuff that really matters- place them in clear, plastic storage bins that stack.  Cardboard boxes can draw insects, rodents and mildew.  Plastic is clear, seals and keeps moisture away.  It's also a lot easier to find things.

If you are selling your home, it is a GREAT idea to go through this purging process before you put your home on the market.  It will allow buyers to appreciate the capacity of your home's storage and it will make moving a lot easier for you.