>>>Go here for a helpful decluttering checklist from Junk King

So your stuck at home with your “loved ones” and maybe feeling antsy about the space. With loads of time on our hands let’s see if we can’t get a little of our personal space back but getting rid of the unnecessary to make room for the important. Clutter can get out of control quickly. Odds and ends stashed in a drawer to remain forever. Out of the way closets become a land where things go to never return and even your nightstand can be a wasteland of forgotten things.

You want to, dare we say NEED TO, declutter and aren’t sure where to begin. It could even be understandably overwhelming to think about the whole house, however with 14 – 21+ days to tackle – I know we can handle it. That being said – let’s start small to warm ourselves up to the idea. 

Makeup Bag/Drawer | Go through your makeup bag (guys what about your gym bag or your shaving kit from traveling) and reassess some of those items. Hot pink eye shadow from 1980 Toss it! Lipstick that melted into a blob – let it go. If you haven’t applied it or used it in a year. Get rid of it. Then restock the items you do need.

Medicine Cabinet | Expired medication – lets safely dispose of those. Half used hotel shampoos and lotions you don’t use – throw those out. Anything else that just doesn’t belong. Give them a toss. Close the cabinet door, wipe the mirror and smile – you deserve it.

BONUS DECLUTTERING: Why not shake the bottles in the shower and see what needs to be tossed or refilled. For me – it was the toys in my son’s bathroom that needed to be removed! Also – some homeless shelters will accept partially used bottles of shampoo or even hotel bottles.

Linen Closet | Over time those neatly stacked towels and extra blankets start to shift and the neatly folded fitted sheets somehow end up knocked on the floor. Take stock of what you need/used in the last year and think about donating the rest to a local charity. We use Bemore Caring as our partner for lines/coats/blankets/clothing. You may even discover a 4 pack of TP that is in such high demand these days.

Time to get personal and really focus on these next areas. Expect them to take more time as they are two spots that hold a lot of history buried in there.

Your Dresser | Dressers can hide a lot in their drawers so let’s dig in. Your going to start at the bottom and work your way up, opening every drawer, and take every item out of the drawer. Before it goes back in,refold every shirt/short/pant and match all the socks. Ponder everything…Have I used this in the past year – if not perhaps it can be donated.

Master Closet | Add to those donate and toss piles by going through the closet. Follow your gut on this one: you know what you wear regularly and haven’t worn in forever. Now is the time to get real – are you really going to use those jeans this year? I personally spent 2.5 hours in my closet – jumping up and down in old jeans and remembering when my faded flannel was the pinnacle of fashion.

Night Stand | That place next to your bed that collects books, water bottles, and electronic chargers along with loads of dust and other old papers. Clear out the drawers, wipe off the top and take a peek behind it. Who knows what mystery items are back there.

BONUS CLEANING | After the night stand – take a look under the bed. We can’t promise that there aren’t any monsters under there but you may find your slippers/sneakers or that missing sock. That was probably a good therapy session but now you might need a break. You deserve it! Check back later for Part 2 of the Junk Removal Tips | Decluttering during Covid-19