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Blog: Organize This!
 Before you head outside, organize your attic and basement
How many of us really enjoy cleaning out our attics and basements… besides me! If you have the average American attic or basement, it is probably filled with stuff and it can be overwhelming to organize or clean it out. If you are serious about finding out what's in your attic or basement and letting go of the things you aren't using or don't need, let's get started:
- Schedule a full day to tackle the project. If that's not enough, schedule another one.
- Include family and friends who will encourage you toward your goal whatever that may be: downsizing, organizing, donating, or finding treasures to sell. No naysayers are allowed.
- Play your favorite music and wear comfortable clothing.
- Plan to order food in at the end of the day.
- Call adult children and schedule a time for them to come and get their stuff.
- Label every box you decide to keep. Mark contents on two sides so you know what's in it no matter how you store it.
Attics:
- If your attic is inconvenient or consists of a crawl space that gives you the creeps, it's okay to leave it empty.
- Do not keep photographs in an attic that gets very hot.
- Store the least used stuff in your attic: holiday and seasonal items, old tax records, suitcases, etc.
- Nothing precious belongs in your attic. If you love it or want to keep it, honor it by using it or incorporating it into your home.
- Cardboard boxes are fine for storage if your attic is well-ventilated, dry and critter-free.
Basements:
- Unfinished basements could mean dampness, mold and mildew. Use plastic storage boxes to keep items dry and safe from mice or other critters.
- Store boxes on shelves or pallets.
- If you have unpacked boxes from your last move (you know who you are), open each box and go through the contents. Many of my clients have found family treasures, items they were missing or items they needed.
- If you are saving items for your children because you think they will want or need it one day, ask them about it. Don't be offended if they don't want your family antiques or that old crock pot. And remember, no means no; pass it on to someone who needs it and will appreciate it.
- If you still have items from cleaning out Mom/Dad/Aunt Gertrude's old house, it's time to: have family/friends over to take what they want, call an auctioneer, donate it, have a yard sale, or put it on Craig's List or freecycle.com.
Go to my website for fliers on where to donate just about anything, how to unclutter a large space, and directions for Craig's List or freecycle.com. If you have treasures to sell on eBay, we can sell them for you or you can learn how to do it yourself at our upcoming class.
Clutter Quote: St. Basil said: "…the garment hanging in your wardrobe is the garment of him who is naked; the shoes that you do not wear are the shoes of the one who is barefoot…"
posted on: 4/23/2011 2:30:00 PM by Vali Heist
category: General Organizing Tips
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Organize This!
by Vali Heist
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About Vali:
Vali Heist is a Certified Professional Organizer, the owner of The Clutter Crew for homeowners, and a Certified GO System Trainer for businesses. She is the author of "Organize This! Practical Tips, Green Ideas, and Ruminations about your CRAP. CRAP stands for Clutter that Robs Anyone of Pleasure! She writes a monthly column for the Reading Eagle called "Organize This!". Vali's bachelor's degree is in Business Administration from Shippensburg University and her Master's Degree is in Higher Education from Kutztown University. Vali has an extensive background of 24 years in Higher Education including training, administration, project management, writing, and editorial production. Her passion has always been organization and how it relates to the simplification of work and personal life in order to enjoy both to the fullest. Her ultimate goal is to continue finding simple, easy to implement ideas that work in the real world and pass them on to her clients.
Vali's Website:
www.thecluttercrew.com
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