Clutter Detox Tips from Ship Shape Organize

CLUTTER DETOX

Did you know April is stress awareness month? Maybe some of your clutter is adding a little or a lot of stress to your life. In under an hour, you can have that feeling of instant gratification by either donating, recycling, or tossing some of the following items.

Catalogs: There is really no need to save past issues. They just collect dust. Recycle them or better yet, use www.catalogchoice.org to opt out of receiving them!

Paperback Books: If you’ve read them and they are good, note it on the inside page and then pass them on to a friend or take a trip to your local library.

Recipe Books: If you use your books for artwork and they decorate a shelf, that’s great. If not, you can get most of your recipes on-line these days and the books are probably taking up valuable shelf space that can be used for other items.

Old Sneakers: Save one pair for gardening or muddy walks, but toss the rest!

Pens and Pencils: Who doesn’t have too many? Enough said.

Wedding Gifts: We all have good intentions and want to use that rice cooker we received as a wedding gift years ago, but if you haven’t used it yet, you won’t! Donate it.

Towels and Sheets: The rule of thumb is 3 towels per person but we feel 2 is plenty. Most will say 2 sheet sets per bed, but if you only have one it’s less folding and less storage space needed. Donate all those extra towels to pet shelters.

Games and Cards: If you’re missing pieces, toss them.

Decorative Pillows: Are there some hanging out in your attic just waiting for you to purchase the perfect color sofa, donate them.

Duplicate Tools: How many hammers, screwdrivers and wrenches does one really need? Some may say they need a lot but you don’t.