How Often Should You Clean Out Your Storage Areas?

Posted by Core Mini Bins on July 27th, 2016

Between the attic, basement, garage, closets, and rented storage units—it can be quite time consuming to clean out each of your storage areas. However, you must clean each area out regularly, or they will reach a point of no return. Turn to the guidelines below to keep your storage areas clean and organized.
 
Everyday Closets:-
 
Your everyday closets, such as linen or clothing closets, should be organized on a daily or weekly basis. Your goal is to create a system designed to keep each section of the closet in order. Every time an item is added or removed, its placement should not disrupt your system for maintaining order. In other words, no stuffing or shoving things into your closets. If you are truly running out of space, it is time reorganize, sort through seasonal items, or donate items you no longer use.
 
Storage Closets:-
 
Storage closets should be cleaned and organized at least twice a year, ideally once every season. This is often easy to achieve because you are likely to need to access items in your storage closets at least once each season. Before you pack up your holiday decorations, sporting equipment, or other mementos—sort through and donate or sell items that you have forgotten or no longer use.
 
Garage, Basement, and Attic:-
 
For many, the garage, basement, and attic are a catchall space for household items that no longer fit in everyday spaces. This often includes a mix of broken items, old furniture, abandoned projects, forgotten gifts, and personal mementos. Sorting through the excess can take days, but must be done to keep things in order. Begin by investing in appropriate storage containers, labels, and storage systems so that you can easily identify what is where. For example, your high school mementos should all go in one container, and your art supplies should go in another. To dispose of large items, you may need to call for a relevant donation pickup, or rent a mini bin.
 
Outside Storage Unit:-
 
There are many benefits to renting an outside storage unit, but over time, this can get quite expensive. Set a goal to clean out your storage unit at least once a year. If the unit is large or full, set a goal to downsize a little each time you visit, or each time you add more.
 
What To Do With Your Excess Storage Items?
 
One of the reasons you may be procrastinating in cleaning, sorting, and organizing your storage units, is because you will have to discard the items you no longer want or need. Before you get started, create a sorting system to help streamline the process. This system should include any combination of the following:
 
- Renting a garbage disposal bin for excess trash.
- Set aside a bin for items you want to donate or give to friends or family.
- Set aside a bin for items you want to sell.
 
If it has been a while since you last sorted through any or all of your storage areas, you may feel a bit overwhelmed. Instead of biting off more than you can chew and, trying to do it all in one hit, commit to 2 to 4 hours a week until each area is clean and organized.