Don't Just Clean this Spring!

Provided by: Beckie Bordenaro

You can get organized while doing your Spring cleaning this year. Instead of shuffling the clutter to dust and vacuum, deal with it!

Step One Ready?

Pick a room to concentrate on. Our example will be for a living room:

* Start off with a clean slate by emptying out the room. Remove items that are sitting on tables, desks and sofas, such as knick-knacks, remote controls, magazines, candles and so on. Take picture frames and other decorations off the wall.

* You can leave any large furniture items in the room including couches, chairs, tables, shelving units and entertainment centers.

After everything is out of the way thoroughly clean this room. Wipe down all of your furniture and vacuum or sweep the floor. It is amazing how quickly you can dust and vacuum an empty room!

Now take a look at this room and you will see that it is clean and organized. Congratulations! What? Oh, thats right. You still have boxes of stuff in the other room that still need to be put away.

Step Two

* You will need boxes labeled A, B and C.

* Find an open area (NOT the room you are working on) and bring all of the items you removed together. Start sorting into the A, B and C boxes.

The A box is for things that you use regularly and/or that you love to look at. If you keep magazines in this room, weed out only current issues for this box.

The B box is for things that you need to keep but not necessarily display or things that could go in another room. This box is also the "maybe" box. If you have to think twice about keeping an item, put it in the B box!

The C box is for things you do not use, things you do not like and things you could do without. Be honest with yourself.

Step Three

Take everything in the A boxes and clean it off. Take it back to the room and really think about the best place for each item. When your A box is empty take a look around and enjoy the room. You are now the proud owner of a clean and organized room filled with items you love and use!

Now take a look through the B box. Clean everything off as you go. If it belongs in another room, put it away. If you are not ready to get rid of something but do not want to return it to the room, put it away in storage. Still thinking of putting something back in your clean and organized room? Be picky, make everything in the B box prove its worth.

The C box can be sealed up and donated, thrown out or prepared for garage sale.

About the Author:

Beckie Bordenaro, professional organizer and owner of Perfectly Put Away, specializes in residential and home office organizing. For a free e-newsletter, please visit her site at www. perfectlyputaway. bigstep. com.

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