Follow these six tips to get your home trim and clutter-free for 2013
Do the 27-fling boogie
You might not be able
to think of 27 things in your house you no longer use, but if you get a box and
don’t stop until you find them, you’ll clear up space and have something to
donate to a local charity. FlyLady, who learned this tip from Suze Orman, adds
this advice: “As soon as you finish filling the box, take it to the car. You
are less tempted to rescue the items.” You can also do this again for a
54-Fling Boogie, and send 27 more items directly to the trash.
The biggest losers
If your home is on the
obese side of the spectrum, it calls for extreme measures. A Bagster acts just
like a dumpster but with the portability of a large shopping bag. Just fill the
container with all of the items you’re ready to let go of, schedule a pickup,
and before you know it, you’ll have shaved some serious weight off your home.
Oprah’s diet plan
If you’ve been loath
to help your home lose that extra baggage because you don’t know what to do
with the items, Oprah has the answer. She gives a comprehensive, state-by-state
list of where to get rid of anything from furniture to that old pair of golf
clubs. Plus, you get to help a local charity.
Lose that post-child weight
Did your kids skip town but leave their Clutter? When children go to college or move out, their
old stuff can add some serious heft to your home. It’s best to get them to come
clean it out themselves—they know what items are significant, and which ones
aren’t. But if they moved across the country, and home visits are too precious
to waste cleaning, you can do the deed virtually. Just take photos of their
items, upload them into a shareable album, and have them choose what gets sent
to them and what gets pitched.
Don’t let the mailman ruin your diet
A few days of piled-up
mail can easily put a few extra pounds on your kitchen table. Household advisor
FlyLady says to combat the daily onslaught, deal with the paperwork the moment
it comes into the house with a garbage can and calendar at your side. Then
always put the bills in the same place, and set one or two days a month to
tackle them.
Book yourself a healthier weight
It's hard to let go of
books you've read, but bookshelves can only hold so many. Put them to a new
use—as shelves! This simple DIY project actually uses your old books as a
storage solution. With this, you’ll clear out your place and--just like with
your own diet--you’ll probably impress your friends.
