January is the month of reinvention. People say out with the old, in with the new. Or maybe we just need to detox by discarding those things we feel unnecessary to hold onto. Then, by default, the things left behind, will be things we will ACTUALLY use.
So it’s time to stretch all the bones and take a deep breath as we organise for 2022 and keep a clear mind with no clutter.
One MASSIVE tip is to designate a day to start this clearing out process, perhaps a day that you’re not working so you have no distractions.
Once the clearout has begun, start by placing all the clutter-worthy items in the same space together. It seems like the oldest trick in the book, but it’s a trick that’s stuck around because it WORKS.
Then separate into 2 piles: one of things you will keep and one of things you want to get rid off. If you haven’t used the item in the last six months, then you may not ever use it again. Now you don’t have to chuck it in the bin.
For example, if you have a Nintendo DS that you no longer play, you can sell it online on Facebook Marketplace for a price of your choice. Or if the DS is in good enough condition (no scratches, chips or dents) highstreet gaming store C.E.X will pay you what they think it’s worth.
In fact C.E.X will take DVD’s, CD’s and games from any console, SO LONG AS it is in its original case. The older the games or consoles, the more vintage they are, therefore more valuable. Keep that in mind.
A handy tip for the kitchen is to wrap up open rice or pasta packets with either cellotape or tie it up with an elastic band. That way, they are more airtight and last longer. They also won’t spill everywhere. One less mess to clear up.
Another kitchen tip is to put all of your chocolate bars and other individually wrapped goodies into one plastic container. The thought behind this is so they don’t get lost and jumbled up at the back of a drawer or cupboard. You can also check if you have any old chocolate from last year that’s past its best.
Since I’ve mentioned goodies, those sharing packets of Smarties or Malteasers? Yep, they spill too. They can go in an airtight container. Maybe a finished ice cream tub or jam jar.
Onto the bedroom now, where the clothes are. Anything you’re sure you won’t wear again, is always welcome in the charity shops. Or if it’s clothing that’s REALLY stained, you can use it to wipe down mirrors and stainless steel parts of the home.
One tiny but ever so crucial tip for the bathroom is to have a bottle of W5 in the cabinet AT ALL TIMES. You apply it to stainless steel and ceramic surfaces and let it sit for about 5 minutes, then rinse it off and all the limescale is gone.
The other more obvious bathroom tip, is throw away any empty bottles of toiletry products into the appropriate recycling bin, that might be hanging around in that area.
The expiration date is not as prominent as food products HOWEVER on the back of each tub or bottle, there is a diagram of a cylinder. Inside the cylinder, is the amount of months the product lasts for, followed by an M. Most products last for 12 months, so it would say 12m inside the cylinder diagram.
I hope you have picked up a few tips here for a clean and clear house and mind for 2022. What tips do YOU stick to? Let us know in the comments section below.
Ceyda is an editorial writer.
