Style Council – Pauline’s top decluttering tips!

Thanks to Pauline Jack from Hollywood Carpets for the Style Council today.  Lots of good ideas and tips.

Are you wanting to declutter for the spring?

Pauline gives use some top tips!

1. Deal with your clothes. Clean out wardrobes and drawers. Throw out anything that you no longer love or that no longer fits you. If it’s beyond repair, out of style, unflattering, or useless (like one sock only), then au revoir. 
2. Clear out your loft. Let go of those old love letters, broken chairs, old baby clothes, mouldy rugs, useless tools, old towels and sheets, extra blankets, anything you no longer need. If you haven’t used it for the past 2 years, chances are you don’t need it, and perhaps someone else could make use of it. 
3. Kitchen. Remove everything from your kitchen counters that is not essential for every day cooking (blenders, mixers, jars of dried beans, rice, flour, etc.). These items should be stored in cupboards. Clean out the cupboard and fridge to make sure nothing is expired, moldy or rotten. Make sure to also check under the kitchen sink.
4. Recycle paper. Magazines, junk mail and newspapers should be tossed out weekly. Books – especially paperbacks that you’ve read can be donated to the charity shop. Keep only books that are essential and irreplaceable. Old textbooks, paperback classics, can be given away to book car boot sales and friends. 
5. Don’t forget the garage. Broken items, scraps of wood, rusty tools, parts of appliances, electrical equipment that no longer works are all candidates for the recycle bin, refuse bin or skip. Fix it, use it or let it go.
6. What about your bathroom. Clean out medicine cabinets often. Keep a minimum of towels out. Make sure the linen cupboard is up to date and neat.
7. Stop clutter at the front door. Only buy what you need and have a place for it. Stop buying purely on impulse, throw out junk mail, it has a tendancy to grow. Accept other people’s stuff only if you really need it. If you acquire a new piece of furniture, let go of a piece of furniture that someone else can use. Recycle cans, bottles, papers, and plastic at least monthly.
8. Clean out your car. A car is an extension of your personality.  Is it tidy?  It speaks volumes about you. 
9. Ask yourself these questions:
• Do I love it?
• Do I need it?
• Is it essential?
• Does it enhance my life?

Then: Sort your things into 3 piles:

• Yes – I love it and I need it, it works and it’s useful
• No – Someone else can have it

No – Toss it out

More in a fortnight!