The basement. It’s often seen as the place for the family’s extra stuff–the holiday decorations, the camping gear, and so on. But it might be time to clean out the basement when it starts to feel like that stuff is taking over, and you can’t even walk through the space. Here are some resources to help you get started cleaning out your own basement.
The One-minute Rule
The one-minute rule is a great way to declutter your basement quickly. The rule is simple: if you can do something in less than a minute, do it now! This includes putting away misplaced items, straightening up a stack of papers, or wiping down a surface. By taking care of small tasks as they arise, you can prevent the build-up of clutter and keep your basement tidy. You might even find that this kickstart helps you do even more cleaning than you initially thought you would. Just starting with one task can motivate you to keep going and you might even end up spending the next hour tidying up.
The KonMari Method
The KonMari method is an effective junk removal method; your basement is no exception. This method involves sorting through your belongings and keeping only those that “spark joy.” While this may seem like a subjective criterion, it’s a great way to identify which items you truly value and which are just taking up space.
To get started, take everything out of your basement and put it in a central location. Then go through each item one by one and decide whether or not it brings you joy. Once you’ve culled your belongings, put everything back in an organized way that makes sense. This will help you get rid of items that you have been holding on to. You might even become inspired to start living minimally with less stuff.
Donate or Sell Unused Items
If you have any items in your basement that you no longer need or want, consider donating or selling them instead of throwing them away. Many charities accept gently used clothing and household goods, and selling unwanted items can be a great way to make some extra money. You can easily list your old items online as well. This is a very common way to buy and sell used items these days. Furthermore, removing unused items will free up space in your basement and make it easier to keep tidy. If your items don’t have much value attached to them anymore, it might be best to just throw them away.
The Four-Box Method
The four-box method is another great way to declutter your home and get organized. You designate four boxes (or bins) for different items: keep, donate, sell, and trash. Then, as you sort through your belongings, you decide which category each item falls into. This method is effective because it forces you to make decisions about the items in your home. It’s also a good way to get rid of things you don’t need or want anymore. Finally, it helps you focus on the items most important to you. It might surprise you to see how many items around your home you really don’t need or want anymore.
Cleaning the basement can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Using one of these decluttering methods, you can eliminate unwanted items and make more space in your home. Furthermore, you’ll be able to better enjoy the things that you do have by keeping only those that bring you joy.
