Spring Cleaning

As the saying goes, “April Showers Bring May Flowers,” so the timing is just right for being indoors getting your life and house organized for those sunny days ahead, right? With warmer weather just on the horizon, you can imagine how good it would feel to get your de-cluttering out of the way.  Heading into the summer season feeling lighter and more organized will help give you loads of time for the important stuff – like some fun in the sun! Not exactly sure where to start or what to focus on? No worries! Here are a few tips for getting organized this spring – from your closet to your computer.

De-clutter your digital life. This one sounds pretty overwhelming to many of us. The work inbox is full and your mobile phone is overflowing with photos and videos. It’s time to nip the one right now. Throw on some tunes, grab a glass of wine and go to town with your computer. Delete old emails that you no longer need and organize anything you must save into folders. Regardless – get it all out of your inbox so that you can focus again. Still got some energy? Move on to your phone – it’s time to move all those photos and videos over to the cloud and free up some memory for your phone. When you finish these two tasks, you’ll feel ah-mazing.
Head to your closet. It’s just time to pull it all out – do a major dump of clothes and shoes right onto your bed or the floor.  Make a few piles: donate, sell, dump and keep. Now go to town. On the fence about something? Ask yourself if you’ve worn the piece in the last year – if you haven’t, say goodbye. This can be a tough one – but you’ll feel incredible the next time you open that closet door.
De-clutter your desk. Is your desk at work overwhelming you just like your closet? It’s time to give it a major de-clutter. Just like your email, being overwhelmed by your desk can easily weigh on your performance at work, leaving you struggling to find things or simply frozen by the overwhelming amount of stuff. Take it drawer by drawer and shelf by shelf, saving only what you absolutely need.
Makeover your makeup. How long has it been since you’ve given your makeup bag or vanity a good overhaul? Feeling overwhelmed by all the old cosmetics you’re clinging onto? It’s time to take a good hard look at what’s still good, what you actually use and what needs to be tossed and replaced. This is the perfect excuse to freshen up your look for spring!
Kitchen cleanup. What about the kitchen cabinets, pantry, fridge and junk drawers? When is the last time they got a good de-cluttering and cleaning? Tis the season for giving everything a good overhaul – and the kitchen is the perfect candidate too. Take a good hard look at expiration dates, freezer burn and all the little goodies taking up space in the junk drawer.
Ready to tackle all of these areas to leave yourself ready for summer with no clutter? How do you declutter?

Keep cleaning
Angelika
(credit: L.R.)

To do list: Spring Cleaning

The snow may still be falling in some areas, but believe it or not, spring isn’t too far off. In just a few short weeks, the birds will be chirping and that spring sun will start peeking out – getting you exited and ready for a little clearing of the clutter. Over the course of the year, we tend to collect things, the extra stuff piles up and suddenly we find ourselves ready to give the whole house a deep clean. The traditional “spring clean” is an institution in many households, feels great and is an incredible way to kick off summer. If you’re already thinking about what to toss and what to keep, how about also figuring out some ways to make a little cash off your spring cleaning? Ready to hit the ground running with this? Here are a few ideas.

1. Host a garage sale. If this is your year to truly unload some baggage, a garage sale is a great way to get the job done while also making a little extra cash on the side. If you find you have loads of electronics, DVDs, books and videos lying around, the garage sale is the perfect spot to offload this type of stuff. Just remember: don’t overprice your items. People are there to find a deal.

2. Consign your clothes. You may be thinking to yourself: “no one wants to buy my old clothes,” but believe it or not, when it comes to fashion, consignment is a big business. You may not be able to retire off the return, but it will put a few extra bucks in your pocket….perfect for cashing in on that bikini you’ve been eyeing for summer.

3. Got collectables or vintage pieces? There’s a big market out there for both vintage and collectable pieces – from both antique shops to eBay. If you’ve got some moderately valued items, eBay is a great place to get started, while more big ticket items might have a place with an auction house or high-end antique dealer.

4. Consign or sell furniture pieces and other household items. When it comes to vintage and antique furniture and other household items (like dishes and barware), there’s a big market out there. Local antique and consignment shops will work with you to get the best price, but there are also sites like Chairish – for buying and selling vintage home items. Don’t want to try your luck there? Or are your items more contemporary? List them for sale on Craigslist.

5. Donate your items for a tax deduction. While a tax deduction might not feel the same as actual cash in your pocket, for many people – this really does have a high value. Determine what your deduction could be versus what you can make by selling the items. Sometimes a big donation is the best way to go.

Have you ever thought about making a little money off your spring cleaning? Do you think you’ll put some of these tips to the test?

Keep styling
Angelika
www.styleupbyangel.com
(credit: L.R.)