Now that we’re spending more time at home, we find ourselves appreciating our space more and even identifying things that we can somewhat improve on. And if you’re one of those who somehow found themselves with a bit more free time, or if you’re looking for a bit of break from work or from taking care of the kids, here’s one thing you can do – declutter.
Here are a few items you can start with:
Kitchen appliances and old gadgets you don’t use
The quarantine has us spending more time in the kitchen and perhaps, we’ve already had a few realizations of what we can and cannot do in our kitchen and what we do use and do not or cannot use. So you can start your decluttering project right in your kitchen – by setting aside items and even appliances that you don’t use as you tinker about.
You can take this one step further by assessing your gadgets and small electronics or appliances. We might not notice it before but chances are, we have a small trove of unused mobile phones, tablets, and even gaming devices. This might be a good time to dig these up as well and assess which ones do we intend to still keep and use and which ones are for disposal.
Disposing gadgets and appliances can be tricky at best. For items that are still working, you can try to barter these at your local Facebook group. On the other hand, gadgets and appliances that are no longer in good condition might be more challenging as some of these have to be disposed of properly. You can still try to barter some of it (but don’t get your hopes up and please disclose the item’s true condition) or try to sell them at your local junk shop.
Clothes you no longer wear
Have you ever wanted to comb through your closet and go on a decluttering frenzy but never really had the time for it? Well, here’s your chance to do so. Plus, since you’re probably living off pambahay/pajamas/loungewear for the past few months, you probably already have a good idea of which items you wear and which you don’t. Hence, it’s also probably a good idea to go through your loungewear first to get things going.
Next, sort through your work or casual wardrobe. If you haven’t been to the office for some time, then the time apart will give you a fresh perspective, so it might be easier for you to set aside items that haven’t been worn for more than 12 months. Of course, make considerations for clothing that can be worn for special occasions or big events.
You can dispose of these by donating them or again, barter or trade groups.
Old makeup and other skincare products
Maximizing every grocery trip or delivery means you might have been more conscious of your supplies at home. This is also a good time to check your skincare and hygiene products stash of their expiration dates and trash those that are way past. If you can’t find the expiration date of opened products, check the texture and smell and if one of these is off, it’s best to dispose of them as well.
Old papers, bills, and mail
Old documents, bills, and other mail can also accumulate in our homes and quarantine is a good time as any to sort them. Dispose of those that you definitely don’t need, such as expired coupons, sales announcements and offers, and even catalogs. Next, sort through your bills and file them accordingly – bank statements, medical bills, utility bills, and others. Now might also be a good time to assess the bills you need and switch to digital statements to cut down on future paper clutter.
Also, remember to cut or shred any bills you intend to trash.
Expired food and pantry items
Aside from checking your kitchen for unused appliances and equipment, you can also check your fridge or pantry for any food items that might be way past its prime. The best thing about this is you get to free up much-needed space for fresh food.
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