The seasons are changing and it’s back-to-school season, which means it’s time to clear out the clutter! Back-to-school calls for seamless mornings with maximum organization, and hopefully they don’t involve stepping on those tiny Lego blocks. Of course, when you bring in all those back-to-school essentials, you end up adding to the clutter that is already there. Here are a few tips to help you avoid the build up of clutter and keep your home fresh and clean during this time of the year. Don’t worry, back to school organization is within reach!
Back to school decluttering made easy
Follow our top five tips to declutter and clean your home as your kids head back to school.
1. Organize school supplies
During the school season, it’s important to encourage the habit of organizing and putting items back to their ‘home’ after each use. Gather homework and other various school supplies into a portable caddy, like a rolling cart or a lidded plastic bin. This will keep your child from searching the whole house for supplies, and it will ensure it is put away in the correct spot when it is needed again.
To avoid mountains of paper piling up, invest in a file system your child can use to store old notes and assignments. This will also keep materials handy for final exam study sessions and prevent backpacks from growing too heavy.
2. Swap out seasonal clothing
Swapping out clothing is a no-brainer as cooler weather sets in. The shorts and tanks can be stored away for next year, passed on to a younger family member, or donated with the unused toys. This will help clean up space in your child's closet and allow all pieces of clothing to be easily accessible.
3. Lose neglected items
From balls and gloves, to games and toys, it’s easy for things to pile up and go unnoticed. To get rid of unnecessary clutter that takes significant space in your home, encourage your kids to declutter their rooms and backpacks on a regular basis and create keep or purge piles. Once the clutter is sorted into piles, call 1-800-GOT-JUNK? to help remove those items from your home.
4. Timing is everything
It’s easiest to declutter while your child is not there, as seeing the items may make it harder for your child to let it go. However, be cautious with what you toss and respect your child’s feelings. If anything is in good enough condition to donate, hopefully the idea that seldom-used toys may better the life of another child will help your child make the decision to get rid of it.
5. Optimize your spaces
Do you have enough space to neatly store backpacks, jackets, and other school essentials? Hooks and hang bins on the wall can be a great way to store your belongings and optimize on vertical space. To easily locate items, place labels on your shoe organizers as well as your hanging sweater organizers, this will save you time during the morning rush and help with a smooth transition from home to school.
Taking these simple steps will have your family ready to tackle a new school year, clutter-free. We at 1-800-GOT-JUNK? are happy to help clear any clutter, so you can freshen up for the upcoming season!
