Even the cleanest of homes can appear messy and unorganized when it is cluttered with too much stuff. A lot of times, the clutter is made up of things that are rarely ever used (or never used, in some cases). So, how can you identify and remove these items that are making your otherwise clean home look messy? In this article from Enviro Maids, there are 12 tips on how to declutter your home.

12 Things to Get Rid of Today

Spring has arrived and that means houses around the country are getting a good
old-fashioned spring cleaning. Don’t just be amazed at how many “things” and how
much “stuff” crowds your closets, drawers, and open spaces throughout your home.
Make the best use of your storage spaces by donating, recycling, or tossing
items that are never used, old and broken. Here’s a list of items to tackle this
spring with the help of FamilyCircle.com.

The Utensil Drawer

If your utensil drawer is looking more like your junk drawer, it’s time to corral all those wayward knives, forks, and spoons. Take an inventory of your utensils. Are there duplicates that never get used such as can openers or serving spoons? Many times when we buy new utensils we just add them to our current inventory without taking the time to donate or toss old ones. If you own way more spatulas or serving spoons than you need, donate them to your local soup kitchen.

Coffee Cups

Coffee cups and mugs tend to take up valuable cabinet space. If you reach for the same mug each morning, or only use one fancy coffee cup set for when entertaining, scale down your collection.

Plastic Storage Containers

Trying to find a container and its matching lid can be as frustrating as trying to match up pairs of socks. Make the task easier by keeping only a few of each size container and recycling the rest. Before delegating them to the recycling bin, think about using containers around the house for storage. They make great holders for crayons, paper clips, rubber bands, and any other small items that tend to get lost.

Little or Never-Used Kitchen Gadgets

Many kitchens in the U.S. are stocked with novelty kitchen tools or gadgets that rarely if ever get used. If you’ve only used your waffle maker once or never got around to putting your fruit and vegetable juicer to good use, ask friends or family if they can make better use of them.

Vases

Flowers are always a welcome gift. Over time, anniversaries, birthdays, and Valentine’s Day result in a collection of vases. If you’re not sure what to do with extra vases, give them back to your local florist to be reused.

Pantry Purge

This spring make a point to clean out your pantry. Clear the shelves and take an inventory of the items you have. Check the expiration dates. Keep an eye on foods that are soon to expire and think of ways to use them for upcoming meals. If you bought the wrong item or know you won’t be using an item, donate it to your local food pantry.

Magazines and Catalogs

Even with the convenience of digital magazine subscriptions and online shopping, hard copies of magazines and catalogs probably still crowd your coffee table and bedroom night stand. Recycle what you’ve already read and tear out pictures of articles you want to keep.

Books

Books are wonderful items to collect and a wall of neatly arranged books makes a great decorative impact. Keep your favorite books and donate the others to local schools or organizations.

Clothes Closet

Gain valuable space in your clothes closet by donating any items in good condition that no longer fit or items given to you as a gift that you know you’ll never wear.

Electronics

If you frequently upgrade your electronic devices, you probably have a collection of USB cords, power cords, and other electronic equipment. Ask around your local community if organizations can use your equipment. If you do dispose of broken or outdated electrical equipment, be sure to visit the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website to learn how to properly dispose of your equipment.

Linens

Need extra space in your linen closet? Retire worn or ripped towels or sheet. According to FamilyCircle.com, a general rule of thumb is to keep two sets of sheets per bed.

Toys

Donating toys to underprivileged children gives you the extra space you need and teaches your children a valuable lesson about sharing their belongings with the less fortunate.