SPRING CLEANING, PART 2: Tips for Sorting and Discarding

This is part 2 of my Spring Cleaning series. Read Part 1: The Energetic Benefits of De-Cluttering.

When cleaning, it is often tempting to: (1) Simply move piles from one location to another, or (2) Toss everything into the trash. Those seem to be the quickest, most convenient options, and I admit that I have done both before. However, on my latest round of de-cluttering, I’m determined to actually rid my home of stuff we don’t need while finding alternatives to the local landfill.

This makes the process quite a bit longer, however, it can also be more rewarding. For example, now is a good time to sell your unwanted gold as it’s worth about $1,500 per ounce. After digging through my box for jewelry that hasn’t seen the light of day since George Bush, Sr. was in the White House, I made several hundred dollars on broken gold chains and high school charms I had no more use for. (I recommend Goldfellow as a trustworthy site; they insure your gold up to $1,000.)

Deciding what to get rid of is a task in itself. Here are some questions to ask yourself as you sort through your stuff.

• Does it have monetary value?

  If so, then research how to get that money. Antique stores, eBay and craigslist are all options for selling items. I’ve been dragging my baseball card collection around for years, thinking that one day it will make me rich. Well, I finally looked online to see what they were worth. Sadly, I learned that baseball cards were overproduced in the 1990s (which accounts for the bulk of my collection), and, therefore, have little value. A rookie card here or there (Derek Jeter) might bring a good price after the player retires, but I won’t be sending Sofie to college on this. My cards might be better off in the hands of some baseball enthusiast.

• Does it have strong emotional value?

  Be tough here. For me, the family photos will never go, and neither did a few of my childhood stuffed animals, which Sofie loves today. However, I’ve been keeping a bin of sentimental baby clothes thinking that I’d make Sofie a quilt from their fabrics. Who am I kidding? I’m not a sewer. My free time is never going to be spent making a quilt. I have to be honest here and realize her old clothes would serve another child better.

  • If it does have emotional value, is there another way to preserve it? I’ve already decided that I’m not a terrible mother if I don’t keep every single drawing my daughter has made. Sofie helps decide which ones can get recycled. Others we use as giftwrap. If you really want documentation, take photos of your child’s artwork and store them electronically. Or check out Plum Print who will make a coffee table book from your child’s artwork.Scan artwork or report cards. Take photos of stuff you want to remember. Electronic files keep you organized and free up your living space. Backing those files up is a good idea, too.
    
    

 

• Will I use it within the next year?

  We carry many things with us for a rainy day that never comes. As if these things could never be bought or found again. A case in point would be the heavy box of soy wax flakes I’ve carted around since my eco-friendly candle-making days of 2004. That’s nine years. It’s time for the soy wax to go to someone who can use it now (via freecycle or craigslist). If I ever do get back into candle-making, I’m sure I can find the necessary supplies again, even through those same sources.

• Does it make my heart sing?

  This is a guideline I’ve learned from practicing Feng Shui, which I touched on in my previous post. The objects in your home emanate energy, so it’s best to only keep those things in your home that add to the flow of good energy. Do you grimace every time you look at Aunt Ruth’s ugly antique armchair? Are there CDs on your shelf that remind you of bad relationships? That’s negative energy in your home. Pass the chair to a relative who appreciates it. Sell or donate the CDs. Keeping things out of obligation or guilt brings your energy level way down. Save precious space for the stuff you love.

• Can this be recycled or donated?

  When I’m in de-cluttering mode, I fill up our town recycle bin rather quickly with old papers. What to do with the other stuff?

  • I posted on Facebook about some large bags of lavender milk tea, and two friends grabbed them.
  • I save clothes for donation, consignment or swaps. My clothing rule is to not let it sit in the basement for more than a few months. If there’s no swap in that time, off it goes to some donation box.
  • Arrange a general swap or yard sale with friends. Everybody has unwanted stuff that is someone else’s treasure.
  • Search online - you’ll be surprised what you can recycle (crayons) or get cash for (cardboard boxes, printer cartridges, scrap metal in Rhode Island, iPhones and iPads, almost anything on Amazon).
  • If all else fails, donate to the Salvation Army or local organization.

When you take the time to sort through your stuff and research discard options, you’re left with a happier home, a happier planet and, possibly, a happier bank account.

Stay tuned for next week when I finish my Spring Cleaning series with a post on natural household cleaners.