home organizing donated items

Where Do Our Donated Items Go?

in

Are you considering hiring a professional organizer but are concerned about your unwanted items ending up in a landfill? When an organizer comes in for some serious decluttering, where do all the extra items go? 

Recently, professional organizing had a surge in popularity. All of a sudden words like “de-clutter” and “minimalist” were familiar words on everyone’s lips. Even though taking control of your life through organizing is a positive thing there can be some troubling consequences. Second-hand charity stores were inundated with household items, from furniture and books to kitchen utensils and clothing. Because of this sudden influx of items, a lot of them were left outside. Great items that could have had a second life were damaged by bad weather or were simply taken to landfill because the charity stores didn’t have space.

Now, what does this tell us? That organizing is bad? Absolutely not! However, it’s a great story to keep in mind because this runs into the heart of the organizing philosophy. Each client in a professional organizing session is encouraged to take pride and ownership of their household items and living space. Yet, if there are things that are no longer needed it’s up to the client to dispose of them thoughtfully. Organizing effectively is not just a technique it’s a way of life. So keep in mind that when working with a professional they won’t just be focused on what you’re keeping. They will also provide advice and about what you should do with unwanted objects. home organizing donated items

Some of the options when disposing of extra household items include:

Charity:

This is a great option because the organization can make money off the sale of your donation. On top of this, they will also help people access good quality items for an affordable price. Just keep in mind that most thrift-stores only accept donations when they are open for trading. Dispose of your items with respect and thoughtfulness!

Sell:

One of the most exciting parts of de-cluttering is discovering that you have some unwanted items with some value! Visit a local second-hand store or try selling your things online. eBay, Facebook Marketplace or Maxsold are great online platforms to start. If you have a lot of things consider running a garage sale or trading at a local market or fair. Have fun with it!

Throw away:

Unfortunately, this is just one of the necessary evils of decluttering. However, sometimes it can’t be avoided. Always chat with your professional organizer first to see if they have any more sustainable ideas or resources about how this item can be re-purposed.

If you’re ready for a fresh start – call us and we’ll chat with you about your organizing and decluttering needs. We here at ClutterBGone will ensure that your unwanted items are taken care of in a respective manner.

how to keep your home organized

How To Keep My Home Organized?

in

Just finished organizing your home and don’t know what’s next? We here at ClutterBGone get asked this question frequently. We’ve helped our clients organize their space, and now the question remains – how do I keep my home organized?

Keep the Interior Decor Fresh

The best part of organizing a home is working on the interior decorating. It’s the perfect opportunity to see your home in a new way and plan an entire makeover. This could be anything from new furniture and accessories to just changing the color of the walls. Celebrate your newly organized living space by bringing something fresh and vibrant to the table. It’ll give you a whole new appreciation of your home.

Entertain

Now that your space is organized and feeling great, you have a great excuse to have a dinner party or small get together at how to keep your home organizedyour place. The best part is you won’t have to spend hours cleaning your home before your guests arrive. Have fun preparing and serving a lavish dinner in your newly organized home. You’ll feel proud of the accomplishment and your guests will be amazed. Then you can relax and spend the rest of the night celebrating.

Start New Projects

Have you cleaned up a spare room? Or cleared away extra mess in the garage? Why not start using the newfound space as a project room. Here are some suggestions on how to use your free spaces.

  • Workshop: Do you have a passionate DIY spirit? Always wanted to try your hand at woodwork or jewelry making? Treat yourself by purchasing the supplies you need and start using the space for something creative and proactive. You’ll love unleashing a new side to yourself.
  • Arts and crafts: If you enjoy scrapbooking or making creations from scratch, start an art studio or craft room. It could be for painting, design, sewing, or calligraphy. Whatever your passion is put it into action!
  • Reading room: Want to catch up on your latest read? Create a snug library complete with comfortable chairs, how do I keep my home organizedbeautiful bookshelves, and lamps with a powerful light.
  • Photography space: Whether it’s a dark room or a studio, it’s time to indulge your love of photography right in the comfort of your own home.
  • Mini-cinema: Today home studios are inexpensive and readily available. All you need is a good projector, screen, and plenty of comfortable chairs and cushions. Don’t forget the popcorn!
  • Home gym: Want to get in shape in the comfort of your own home? Invest in gym equipment to inspire you to be the best version of yourself.

Stay Vigilant

One of the most difficult parts of organizing the home is adjusting to the new lifestyle in the following months. It’s easy to slip into old unorganized habits. Life is busy and it can be hectic at times so it’s important to make organizing second nature to everyone in the household.

If you feel like your home is starting to fall apart again, call a house meeting. Talk to the other people sharing the space and potentially delegate house responsibilities. It’s everyone’s home and space and every member should be proud to keep it clean and organized.

And, if you need some extra support, we are here to help! Once your system of organization has been established we can provide you with maintenance and on-going support so you can focus on your core passions and spend time with your loved ones. Schedule regular sessions at intervals of your choosing to keep your home or office running smoothly and efficiently. Contact us here.

home organizing: where do I start

Home Organizing: Where Do I Start?

in

Tackling home organizing on your own can be a daunting project. Let us help you discover where to start!

Break it down

Organizing the entire household can be a lengthy and stressful process. Don’t pressure yourself to do it all at once. home organizing: where do I start?Tackle it room by room and break it down over a period of a few weeks. Set yourself a time period and a task and then focus on getting that small project complete. Otherwise, it will be easy to get distracted and overwhelmed by all the things on your to-do list!

Organizing when you have a family

If you don’t live alone, home organizing can be even more complicated. Most likely, the other household members won’t be around for the entire clean up. So before you start, make different sections for each family member. This is where you’ll place anything of theirs which they may want to get rid of. Next time you see them, make sure they go through their piles and immediately dispose of anything they don’t need. This will make the whole process a lot easier!

Stock up on supplies

Purchase plenty of garbage bags and spare boxes to put in items that are getting thrown away or taken to charity or goodwill. Make sure to get extra cleaning supplies, such as paper towel, multi-purpose spray, rags, and air freshener. Keep in mind that you should also call your local council to schedule a hard trash collection ahead of time. By preparing all this early you can dig into cleaning and get everything organized efficiently.

Tackling that first room

Now that you’ve stocked up on supplies and planned a schedule, it’s time to start cleaning. Which room should you tackle first? This may seem counter-intuitive, but the best place to begin is the storage areas. This includes spare rooms, closet spaces, the garage, attic, and wherever else you store miscellaneous things. The reason why this is the best place to start organizing is that you first need to create space to store any important objects. Most likely the things that will be thrown away will be items that have been gathering dust in storage. Set aside plenty of time to clean and organize any full storage spaces.

Next up: The shared rooms

After making space in storage areas, start working on shared rooms. This would include the kitchen, living area, dining room, and communal bathrooms. Try and get the other members of the household involved in the project too. This is especially important if you have young children, as they will enjoy learning how to clean and have a sense of pride that they have been involved.

By de-cluttering space and giving each item a specific home, it will be easier to keep everything organized all year round. Make sure you let family or housemates know where each spot is. Better yet, make labels for different sections. After you’ve finished the communal areas, it’s time for the private ones.

And remember, we are here to help you along the way if you need a little extra support. Organizing your home is always easier with expertise, support and coaching from an organizing professional.  With our Lead Organizer on site, any space is redeemable! We provide space planning and efficient storage ideas and solutions for easy access and retrieval.  We’ll help you sort, pare down and liberate yourself from what you don’t need, creating strategies and a system of home organization specifically tailored for you. We even assist you with space planning and re-design.

decluttering procrastination

Top Reasons Why Procrastination is Clutter’s Best Friend!

in

“We’ll have to go through those boxes at some point.”

“We’ll sort the files in that cabinet at a later time.”

How many times have you heard phrases like that, perhaps even coming out of your own mouth? Procrastination can be quite an easy way out of doing some extra work. At first, it might start off rather innocently. Maybe you are really tired or busy on that particular day, and you genuinely want to plan to do some decluttering as soon as you can. However, procrastination always leads to one thing: more procrastination!

Keep reading to learn more about how procrastination might be contributing to the clutter in your life, and how to stop adopting such a negative habit, which affects many of us.

Plan ahead

Getting organized over time is probably the best, and easiest way to fight procrastination. If you schedule your how to declutter your homeactivities, there isn’t much leeway to procrastination, because theoretically, it’s all in your calendar! Make time to do whatever you need to do, so you can easily manage your effort and work.

Self-Discipline

Giving in to procrastination is a little bit like staring at a candy bar. You know you want it, and it would be easy for you to reach for it, even though you know it’s not good for you and you probably should eat something healthier.

The only way to get out of this situation is self-control. If you are disciplined about the way you manage your activities, you will be able to come up with a better, more upfront lifestyle, which also includes decluttering!

Remove distractions

Distractions are the gateway to procrastination, and the problem with our lifestyle is that we are literally surrounded  by countless distractions each day. In this modern day of smartphones and the internet at your fingertips, getting distracted is easy. It’s up to you to stay focused and remember that every time you get stuck focusing on a distraction, it’s time you’re taking away from your valued personal life, development, and growth.

Don’t let distractions get in the way of a clutter-free life. Take the time to understand the process and learn how you can easily turn your life around in many ways, if you just avoid giving in to procrastination and distractions of various kinds.

the stress of bringing clutter into your life

3 Ways You Might be Bringing Clutter Into Your Life

in

One of the most common things you’ll hear about people struggling with clutter at home and in their life is that they can’t find a way to manage. It’s hard to manage a mess if you don’t understand the root issues that are actually causing it. In this article, we will talk about 3 main behaviors that often lead people to accumulate too much clutter. Keep reading to learn more!

You are emotional about certain items

This is a tough one. Nobody can tell you to throw something away, and if you feel attached to an item on an Are you bringing clutter into your life? emotional level, it is really only up to you to determine what to do with it. It’s important to take a hard look at yourself and search your feelings. What does that item really mean to you? Is it the item that’s worth keeping, or the memory that will forever be etched in your heart and in your mind?

You think that certain items might be useful down the line

Are you the kind of person with drawers filled with mixed batteries, random knick-knacks, ketchup sachets from the diner and hotel slippers from your last vacation 2 years ago? I am looking at you! So many people amass so much clutter through the years, due to their inability to get rid of things that they think they might need further down the line. The irony is that if they do end up needing these things, there are high chances that they might forget they have them in the first place and buy them new anyway!

Guilt

If you really think about it, a lot of it comes down to guilt. Even the first 2 pointers in this article are related to guilt. the stress of bringing clutter into your lifeIn a sense, people might feel guilty about throwing away stuff that once has meant something to them, or even things that they might think they’ll need some day.

“Oh, it’s such a waste!” How many times did you stop to think something like that while you were considering throwing something out? It’s important to understand the process of guilt and try to overcome it. Instead of letting guilt dictate your actions, take a step back and think about it with an open mindset. Being more honest with yourself is a great way to start your clutter-free journey!

The Importance of Saying No

in

Do you feel like your life at home is an absolute mess? Are you constantly overwhelmed and feel like you never have time to clear the clutter? You are not alone. There are many people out there who, just like you, struggle with keeping things tidy.

Due to tight work schedules, tending to your family and other commitments, it might be hard or even impossible to learn to say notake some time aside and work on decluttering your home.

After working, caring for others and other daily tasks, the last thing you might want to do is to sort through your things and start doing more work. It’s only natural, and you deserve a break!

The truth is, sometimes our plates are way too full, and we could simply avoid a lot of issues by learning how to say “no” respectfully. Stop for a moment and think about it. How many of your daily commitments could easily be avoided if you just had said no to begin with?

The problem is that saying “no” is not always easy, especially when friends ask you for favors or your community wants you to be a part of something.

Say, for example, that somebody asks you to volunteer to coach a soccer team for the neighbor’s kids. It’s a flattering honor to be considered, and you could do some good in the community, as well as improve your networks and social ties. However, it’s important to ask yourself one thing: can you really dedicate so much time to something else in your life?

Saying “no” might seem awkward at first, but it can relieve a lot of stress from you, especially if you have too much to declutter your life todaydo every day already.

You can be respectful when saying no, showcasing respect and appreciation while declining. Always answer timely and don’t put off saying no, giving people the impression that you might say yes later! The best way is to be firm about your decision, yet polite. You do not have to do everything asked of you, but you can also straight out tell people why you’re going to say “no.” You have simply too much on your hands and need some personal time for other endeavors. Who could possibly argue with that?

Living a busy life can lead to a lot of fulfillment, but lack of balance can bring about so much stress. “No” might just be your safe word out of it!

Star Metro Land Media – Tips to Declutter your Workspace

in , ,

February 2019 – For many a post-secondary student, the start of the new year will bring with it a renewed sense of scholastic productivity. Yet if it’s a messy workspace that’s holding them back from academic success, a thorough de-cluttering might be the resolution to prioritize.
Read more…

hanging organizer on back of door

Home Organizing Ideas on a Budget

in

Staying organized can be difficult, and in some cases, it can also be quite expensive! Some people think they have to start over and invest a lot of money on new furniture or organizational solutions. It doesn’t always have to be that way!

The good news? Some of the best ways to stay more organized are quite inexpensive. In fact, the most effective solutions are actually free! Keep reading to learn more and discover some fantastic organizational ideas!

Buy a door organizer

Door organizers are inexpensive, but they saved my life on many occasions! When I lived in a bigger city, I had a hanging organizer on back of doorsmall room, as the only way I could afford living there was to share an apartment with roommates. My room was so tiny that I couldn’t find space for most of my items. As a result, I had stuff sitting around all the time, and it was driving me crazy! However, a door organizer allowed me to keep tons of small items under control – from personal hygiene items to socks, hats, and more. The possibilities are endless.

Door organizers can be helpful if you live in a larger space too, especially on the inside of a closet, where they can feature small items and accessories, such as hats, scarfs and jewelry. This is definitely one of those “best-bang-for-your-buck” accessories, and you should definitely consider as an option to stay organized. There are many types of door organizers out there, and each is suitable for a different space or environment. You really can’t go wrong!

Shipping cartons and other paper boxes

They might not be the best-looking implements available, but paper boxes can come in handy if you want to get organized. If you have old boxes leftover from when you moved, or empty boxes laying around from TVs and home appliances, you might consider recycling them as storage boxes! The advantage is that they can be used to store small items in your basement or closet, without spending a dime in plastic or canvas boxes. Since shipping boxes aren’t exactly the trendiest thing out there, you might want to consider keeping them somewhere where they don’t stand Using cardboard boxes as storageout too much! Or where they won’t absorb moisture.

Smaller boxes, such as shoe boxes or even cereal boxes, can actually come in handy as dividers. For example, I use some old cereal boxes as separators to support my record collection. They actually stand behind the records, so you can’t see them. However, they make my records look tidier since they have a support that prevents them from falling back deeper into the shelf!

Organization is more than a having a smart system: it’s a state of mind!

It doesn’t matter how practical your home is, or how many useful drawers or fancy storage solutions you own. Staying organized begins with your attitude! The best way to live a focused, clutter-free life is to embrace a daily commitment to a cleaner routine! If you need guidance or support, we are just a call away!

Colour coding your closet + drawers - DIY Home Organizing Tip

Home Organizing Tips DIY Style

in

Keeping your home organized doesn’t have to be a chore. With the right focus, and with the right tips, it can actually be easy and painless. Here are some home organizing tips – DIY style!

Color Code + Sort!

Color coding can be particularly handy. If you need to store documents, for instance, you can use color schemes as a Colour coding your closet + drawers - DIY Home Organizing Tipway to improve the way you archive physical files. Imagine you had an archive, where you store personal documents (such as family photos) as well as legal documents (passports, birth certificates…) – You can color code your personal documents in blue, and the legal documents in green. This way, it will be much easier to navigate your files and find what you need!

In addition to that, you can also try color sorting. This is particularly handy if you have a rather large wardrobe. For instance, you can store all your black socks in one drawer and keep your other colors in another. You could do the same for dresses, shirts, etc. This could be a very practical tip to navigate a large wardrobe with many items of clothing!

Alphabetical Order

Ordering items alphabetically is quite common in working environments and office spaces. However, homeowners can also benefit from it in many applications. If you collect vinyl records or CDs, it will be much easier to organize the music alphabetically! In addition to that, even book lovers might find it more useful to store their books in alphabetical order, rather than by size, as it’s sometimes customary.

Under-Bed Organizers

Most of us completely forget that there’s plenty of usable space under our beds.  Instead of letting it collect dust, make sure you take advantage of it! There are many under-bed organizers that are quite flat, yet enjoy a rather large capacity, so they can fit under most beds, even if your space is quite narrow. This is a great opportunity to store various small items, which would otherwise be hard to locate or store. Some people love to use under-bed organizers for their shoes or socks, as well as other items that are often kept out of sight, such as cash, personal documents, and more.

Kitchen Overhead Hanging

In most kitchens, pots and pans might take up a lot of space, and often prevent you from taking advantage of the full capacity of your cupboard. To prevent such a situation, another home organizing tip is to try hanging your cooking tools, pots, and pans instead.

In addition to being practical, hanging pans and other items can add a charming rustic feel to your kitchen, giving it a more authentic feel. This is a perfect example of an organizational tip that’s also going to contribute to the great look of your home!

In conclusion, these are only some of the many amazing ways to keep your home organized. Give them a try and let us know if they changed your life for the better! If you’d still like a little guidance, we’re always here to help! Just give us a call and we’ll walk you through it.

organized working mom

Home Organizing for Working Moms

in

If you are a working mom, you most likely have developed traits of a superhero: you tend to juggle various responsibilities such as providing for your family, tending to your home, and caring for your kids. How do you find the energy and drive to accomplish all of the above tasks? We have found that for a lot of our mom clients, it’s easier and less stressful to manage all of the tasks required of you, when your life feels organized.

We’d like to share with you the importance of organization for working moms, and the steps you can take to make it happen!

Work in a Clutter-free Environment

If your workspace is messy, you might find it hard to focus and stay organized. We highly recommend taking some organized working momtime to tidy up your environment and perhaps slightly rearranging its layout, making for a brighter, more open space. Trust us, you’ll be able to see a difference right away! De-cluttering a messy space is only the beginning: you’ll have to keep it nice and clean! It can be a lot of work to de-clutter a messy space to begin with. However, keeping your space tidy is easier than you think. Think of it as just another daily habit like brushing your teeth or making your bed. Once tidying up becomes a daily habit for you that takes 10 minutes or less, it will become less of a problem for you in the long run.

Just like maintaining a tidy workspace, taking small, consistent steps to care for your teeth can make a world of difference over time. It’s easy to overlook dental hygiene when life gets busy, but building habits such as brushing, flossing, and scheduling regular cleanings can prevent bigger problems from developing later. Neglect can quickly lead to discomfort, and when that happens, it’s comforting to know you can rely on an experienced professional like an austin emergency dentist to step in and provide immediate relief. Dental care, much like keeping your surroundings organized, is about staying proactive rather than reactive. A little daily attention keeps everything in order, saving you from the stress of more complicated issues down the line and helping you maintain that clean, confident smile that makes you feel ready to take on whatever the day brings.

When care moves beyond routine upkeep, a specialist becomes essential. A general dentist covers maintenance, while specialists focus on narrow problems that require advanced training. During treatment planning, access to a reliable dentist las vegas offers reassurance when precision matters most. Experience reduces uncertainty, limits repeat visits, cuts discomfort. There is comfort in placing a problem with someone who has solved it countless times. The result protects time, budget, confidence, keeping a smile steady through every stage.

That level of focused care also brings clarity to the entire treatment process. A specialist evaluates the issue, explains the path forward, handles the work with intention. In the middle of that experience, choosing a dentist keeps decisions grounded, expectations realistic. Problems get addressed early, recovery stays smoother, outcomes last longer. Old wisdom still holds true: proper attention at the right moment prevents long-term regret. When dental care follows that principle, peace of mind comes standard, not optional.

Take Frequent Breaks

Keeping organized is not just a matter of arranging space and tidying things up. Organization starts in your mind, and a tired brain…is a cluttered one! It’s very important to take frequent breaks when working. Some people go as far as taking very short breaks every 30 minutes. This is a really good way to recharge your batteries throughout the day and avoid feeling overwhelmed.

Create a “Work Nook”

When we hear the term ‘work nook’, we may tend to think of a cozy space where we can relax and unwind. However, work nook for working mom it’s just as important to have a space where you can just focus on working. Even if you work from home, having an area that’s dedicated to your business endeavors can be vital. It’s a great way to enhance your productivity, and more importantly, it’s a truly fantastic way to compartmentalize your life-work balance. The pitfall of working from home is that it feels like you’re never leaving the office. Working, living, relaxing and caring for your family in the same environment can be daunting and feel overwhelming. In addition to that, it can be quite hard to get organized. For this reason, you should consider having a specialized “work nook” where you can sign off at the end of your business day and clear your mind!

Like checklists? Grab your free organizing checklist here.