Clearing Out Clutter

Clutter can build up in the home insidiously until one day we need as a matter of urgency to do something about it. There are several reasons to control clutter.

One, is things can overwhelm the home to the point one cannot move about freely anymore.

Two, clutter make house cleaning really hard work as things constantly need moving from one point to another.

Three, clutter is a health and safety hazard because there will be so much equipment to trip or stumble over.

Once a decision has been made to have thorough clearout what goes and what stays?

Making the decision of what is to go can be a difficult task for natural hoarders. One needs to be brave and to begin sifting stuff into heaps of equipment in order of priority on what to keep or dump.

If you have hoarded stuff which is broken you’ll need to ask yourself why you are hanging on to it and why it shouldn’t be thrown away. Electronic and computer equipment quickly becomes obsolete. Ask yourself why you are keeping items which are no longer useful. You’ll need to be critical in deciding if the item can ever be used again. If it can’t be used again, shouldn’t it go out with the rubbish? Do you really need to hang on to cracked or chipped pottery? The same applies with bent or damaged cutlery. Old tins of paint take up lots of space. Is it still good and are you ever going to use it again?

Collect returnable bottles and cartons and get them back to the store for a refund.

Remember a lot of your junk may not be junk at all. Most metals now have a value. Most large batteries contain lead. Aluminium, copper, brass, bronze, silver and gold have good scrap value even in small quantities.

Some of your obsolete equipment may be sought after by someone. Old car spares will have a value to the right person. All unwanted serviceable items including the above are perfect for a yard or boot sale. This is a good way of getting rid of clutter and making some useful money into the bargain. What’s more you may be selling something someone has been looking for a long time.

Clearing out the clutter can be fun and interesting and you may be surprised at the some of the things you have been hoarding over the years and forgotten about.

The important thing to remember when having a clear out is to be disciplined and not put things back because there is an outside chance it may become useful again.