Spring is here, and it is time for some fresh air to flow through the open windows of your home. However, when that air passes the stale and dusty remnants of a sealed-in winter, everything can get stirred up and feel far less fresh. Thus, spring cleaning was born. A vital component of spring cleaning is spring decluttering – because why clean or tidy an excessive number of things you don’t really need?

Unfortunately, spring decluttering can become overwhelming quickly. Luckily, it has become a perfected process for many, and tips abound!

Start Simple

You may feel inspired and ready to go when you start the decluttering process. In most cases, the inspiration doesn’t last, and you may lose steam a quarter of the way through your attic. Instead of attempting to tackle the most cluttered area of your home, start small. The hall closet, kitchen cabinets, or even your vehicle may be easier first-time decluttering locations. After successfully taking on one small area, you will be more prepared to handle the next, more daunting space.

Go for What You Can See

Do you spend time in your unfinished basement regularly? If not, skip the decluttering in that area for now. As an individual new to spring decluttering, you want to be able to see your progress regularly. When you start with an area that you spend a lot of time in, you will be happy to notice the change every time you enter that space.

Interview Each Item

It might seem silly to ask inanimate objects questions, but it is a crucial step in the process. Of course, you will have to do the answering on behalf of those objects. When decluttering, there are three main questions that you have to ask each item:

What needs do you meet?
Why do I have you?
What might replace you?

By asking and answering these questions, you are closer to determining if the item’s value makes it truly worth keeping.

Touch Each Piece

You might be surprised at how touching an item can help in decluttering. When you pick up an object, you then have to decide:

Will you put it back?
Will you get rid of it?
Will you put it somewhere else?

These forced questions help move more items to the remove section of your decluttering process.

Try to Donate

It might seem like you could make a good amount of money selling all of your decluttered items. Truthfully, selling items can be time-consuming and result in you putting unsold items back where they were. Instead of holding on to items for too long while trying to sell, donate. Donations help you get things off your hands and help others in need. It’s a win-win!

Stay Motivated

Motivation is key to completing spring decluttering. You don’t have to get rid of half of your belongings to declutter – you simply have to have less than you started with. By seeing fewer items in your home consistently, you can realize that you have fewer items to dust, wash, and clean. If you are ready to go through a massive and motivated spring decluttering process, a junk removal expert like our team at Elite Services can help. Give us a call today or fill out our online contact form for more information!

Spring Decluttering 101