By: Matt Paxton, Decluttering Expert and Goodwill Ambassador
Summer is almost over and that means it’s back-to-school season. The end of the summer is a great opportunity to declutter and get rid of the things you don’t need just in time for the new school year. Here’s what I do to get ready.
- Start in the Kitchen. Back to school means lots of lunches and snacks. Start with the pantry and container drawer/cabinet. This can make things easy for lunch-making. Make extra room by donating appliances that are no longer in use.
- Cluttered spaces can hinder creativity and focus. Spark new inspiration by clearing out spaces and things you don’t use anymore. Repurpose or reimagine furniture to create spaces for homework, after school activities or a place to wind down. With a designated study area, you can create a productive, energizing atmosphere.
- Organize heavy traffic areas. By adding hooks, extra storage and giving all items a place, you can better organize the space that gets the most foot traffic. Shop Goodwill to find containers, extra shelving and other multipurpose items to make a big difference.
- Clothes are one of the biggest hurdles when it comes to decluttering. Go back–to-school shopping in your closets first to see what can be reused. Make a list of items you need and check your local Goodwill before buying something new. Donate what you aren’t keeping and organize your closet in a way that makes it easy to see and grab what you’re looking for. After organizing your closet, remember to tidy as you go, or it will quickly be cluttered again.