Saying goodbye to belongings that have begun to accumulate is necessary in order to keep clutter at bay. But, it's a lot easier said than done. We've helped our clients through the tough decisions more times than we can count and here are the most common items we remove from their spaces.
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1. Expired pantry goods
This is one of the easiest ways to remove excess from your kitchen. Check all expiration dates and toss anything that is past its prime. Don't feel too bad if you have a garbage bag (or more) full - this is typically the case for most of our clients. However, we believe that once you have an organized system in place you'll have a better visual and grasp of what you own and will be less likely to let food expire.
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2. Clothes that don't fit
We're all guilty of holding onto clothes that don't fit but we're here to give you permission to part ways with them. If you haven't worn an item in the past year, its likely that you probably never will. Also keep in mind that should you finally get a chance to wear an older item, you may not even like the style anymore. When you do change sizes, let yourself splurge on something new!
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3. Food storage with missing lids or bases
Still holding onto hope that that one Tupperware lid will eventually turn up? If so, it's probably time to say goodbye. If you're storing an assortment of different containers, it might also be worth investing in a new matching set that nests together nicely in your cupboard.
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4. Duplicate kitchen gadgets
Really, any duplicate kitchen gadget you own that is never used simultaneously can go. The most common duplicates we see? - pizza cutters, vegetable peelers, and can openers. If space is especially tight, remember that the job of specialty gadgets can often be replaced by a simple paring knife.
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5. Mystery electronic cables
If one year later, you still don't know what that random cable goes to it's probably okay to recycle it. We suggest adding clear labels to identify any cords whose purpose you do know first. Then, set aside those you're unsure of and get a second opinion before parting ways.
Not sure you're ready to downsize on your own? We offer organizing services in over 95 major cities across the US and Canada. Connect with your local team and let them introduce you to the NEAT life.
xx,
the NEAT team
