Organizing Tips

5 Ways to Keep Cool from Clutter

Dang, it has been bloody hot. Lots of people are probably more interested in keeping cool in the A/C than trying to clear out the clutter.

Here’s some ways to keep cool from clutter without breaking a sweat.

  1. Don’t let it in the house. Like the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Stop the stuff at the door. If it’s junk mail, toss it in the recycling bin or shred it immediately. Limit shopping to essentials only, and less stuff automatically comes in.
  2. Go digital. If paper and receipts aren’t digital yet, scan them in. Have old school photos? Scan them in too.
  3. Clear out school papers. Since the school year has drawn to a close, time to clean out those backpacks and piles of school paper. Jettison the stuff you don’t need or want, and stash the keepers in a keepsake box. Each child should have one keepsake box for their things.
  4. Clean out the medicine cabinet. Take expired prescription drugs to the pharmacy for disposal, or put them into a plastic baggie in the trash. Do not flush drugs so they keep out of the water supply.
  5. Examine your seasonal wardrobe. As you transition from winter to summer duds, take a look at what you’re packing and unpacking. Toss anything with stains and tears beyond repair. Repair the stuff that needs to be repaired and donate anything you are no longer interested in wearing. Do not give charities heavily worn or heavily used clothing or items with stains and tears. Charities have to spend millions of dollars each year to toss items they cannot sell. Don’t be part of the problem.

Have a nice tall glass of ice tea by your side, and you’ll have summer clutter under control.

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