It's April! Time to say goodbye to the cold winter weather and hello to springtime, spring flowers and spring cleaning (and clearing). Once you've tackled the dusty drapes and cleaned behind those hard-to-reach spots, it's time to think about clearing out the clutter and organizing your space.
We asked a handful of POC members to provide us with their very best tips on how to tackle the Spring Clearing season and we're sharing them with you -- so without further adieu, here are 14 Spring Clearing tips from the pros:
1.Get Started -- Start at the beginning of April and put two items in a "donate" box every day for the entire month. Sixty fewer items to worry about.
2.Share Your List -- Share with two friends your list of in-completes and messes that you want to complete in the next 60 days and hold each other accountable.
3.Delete It -- Take 5 minutes once a week to go through the pictures on your phone or tablet and clear out all those excess photos.
4.Toss Your Winter Wear -- Get rid of any winter gear you didn't use this past season. Be ruthless. If you didn't use it, it's even less likely you will next winter.
5.Hang it Up -- Use "S" hooks or shower curtain rings to get the clutter off the floor, in pantries and closets -- great for purses, umbrellas, mops, brooms and other cleaning supplies.
6.Pack it Light -- When de-cluttering, try to leave about 20 per cent "breathing room" on each shelf. If that sounds unattainable, just open up as much free space as you can.
7.Product Purge -- Run a major clean up for your cosmetics and hair product paraphernalia! Discard old--disinfect remaining--create inventory--list missing items--then you're ready for your new "Spring Look" shopping.
8.Clear Your Counters -- Spring clear. Not just clean. Clear your surfaces by creating vertical storage solutions. Move up vs. spreading out.
9.Finish What You Started -- Instead of sorting new stuff into new bins, go through the bins you already have and donate as much as you can.
10.Expire the Expired -- Get rid of old prescriptions, vitamins and food past its prime.
11.Freeze it -- NOW is the hour to clear out your freezer. Make it a mission to plan meals using frozen food. When in doubt throw it out.
12.Embrace the Baskets -- Get small baskets for drawers to sort like items. Discard anything unwanted, pop the baskets back in and you're done!
13.Label your Gardening Tools -- Gardening season is approaching! Organize the gardening tools & accessories by creating labeled bins to sort all the little things from seeds, gloves, plant tags.
14.Ask for help -- Invite a good friend over, open a bottle of wine, and start going through your closet. Take their advice!
Keep in mind that the Spring Clearing season doesn't have to be finalized within one month! Feel free to spread out your Spring Clearing tasks over the next couple of months and take it one large project at a time. If you're looking for some additional support, Professional Organizers in Canada are always available to help.
To find a Professional Organizer in your area, visit the POC website at www.organizersincanada.com
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