Are you living with a lot of clutter in your home? Maybe a loved one needs help removing some clutter from their lives? Clutter can do more than take up room in your home. Too much clutter and disorganization can actually cause negative effects on your life but getting rid of it in the wrong ways can also be harmful to the environment. So how do your stop clutter from controlling your life, without causing damage to the environment? Keep reading to find out.
Decluttering as Self-Care
So much of our daily lives can cause stress from caring for a loved one. But did you know that
clutter causes stress as well? Having excess items and dirt
around your home can layer additional stress on top of all that is already on your plate. That’s why decluttering your home is an essential part of
self-care. Having your home organized can also make your daily routine a little less hectic. Carefully organizing pantries, closets and bathrooms will make navigating your environment much easier.
Recycling Furniture and Electronics
When you begin the decluttering process, it may be best to start big and work yourself down to smaller items. Take a look around your home, yard and garage, and take stock of any large items that you may no longer need. Broken electronics, old bedding and faulty appliances should all be discarded in an environmentally conscientious manner. Any furniture or items that cannot be
upcycled should go, too. Larger items tend to be laden with chemicals, plastics and other materials that will not break down over time, so it’s best to keep these items out of the landfill. Look for large item or
appliance recycling near you, or consider donating usable items to a local charity.
Going Green When Cleaning
Once you’ve organized your home, it’s a good time to complete a deep cleaning. To keep things green, try using non-toxic cleaning products to get rid of dust, dirt and buildup around your home. You can find
eco-friendly cleaning products online, or at your local store, if you prefer to purchase them already made. Look for cleaners that have the ingredient list printed where it is easy to read, so you know what you are bringing into your home and putting into waterways. To ensure you know everything that goes into your cleaner and to cut down on plastic, you can also try making
your own natural cleaners at home. With a few ingredients from your cupboards, you can mix together some of the most powerful cleaners Mother Nature has to offer.
Switching to Digital Storage
Chances are you will end up with some
boxes of keepsakes and photos that you just cannot seem to toss out. Photos are especially sentimental since they are our only tangible connection to our most treasured memories. But you can still save your photos without adding to the clutter in your home. You can scan, share and send your photos from a computer or mobile device using
cloud storage options. Embracing the cloud and using digital storage is a much more secure way to ensure that your photos and memories will last forever.
Keeping Things Tidy
After spending so much time decluttering and deep cleaning, you are going to want to keep things tidy. Simple daily steps like wiping down counters and keeping your floors and carpet clean can work wonders in keeping your home looking neat. You can motivate yourself to do so by investing in a quality vacuum for cleaning your carpet. Be sure to do your research and find the best vacuum that fits your needs.
Using eco-friendly methods to rid your home of clutter can do more than preserve your health and sanity. By being responsible when removing clutter and cleaning your home, you can do your part to preserve the world now and for future generations.
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Alice Robertson began her career in the home organization industry as a professional house cleaner. After cleaning and organizing her clients’ homes for years, she decided to open her own home organization business. Over the years, she has built an impressive client list, helping to make spaces in homes and businesses more functional. She recently created tidyhome.info as a place to share the great cleaning and organizing advice she has developed over the years.
