Label

Sorting through storage can add up to clutter if you have to open boxes just to know what’s inside. Moreover, if you have to store stuff in boxes or even in clear storage bins, it is always better to know at a glance what is in it.

Here are a few tips:

1. If you have the space, designated certain drawers, closets, shelves or cabinets for particular items. If you need to use Mason jars, boxes etc. to hold small items such as nail cutters, files and cuticle removers in one, makeup in another, accessories in a particular box etc.

2. If you have trouble remembering, use color dots to match items with where you need to put them. For example, put a purple dot on cutlery to indicate that they all should go to a particular drawer that’s colored purple or has a corresponding purple dot. Put a red dot for hair accessories to indicate they all should go to a red box.

3. For sealed boxes put a label  on the outside with a good description

4. If you are using clear storage bins, put the label on the inside.

5. Indicate the storage date. This will come in handy when identifying what to dispose later on.

Finding something in storage can be distressing enough without knowing where to find them. With designated areas and labels, life can become much simpler.

Rotate and Check

Storage spaces are most often the places in your home where clutter builds up. It would therefore be to your benefit to check and rotate items in storage as part of your decluttering efforts.

Here are a few suggestions where to start:

1. Check and rotate your pantry’s contents. Make it a habit to check your pantry before you go shopping or start putting your groceries away. Some of the items you will need to check first are:

1. Items that are close to or after the “Best Before” or expiry dates.  Double check online if you're unsure of when that date is.  There are many resources freely available.

2. Items that have not been used in the past three weeks such as pasta, grain, oatmeal, flour unless they've been properly dry stored. You may need to transfer this or shake them to keep from settling.

3. Dented, perforated or damaged packaging as these can be a source of leaks, spills or insect and rodent infestation. Remove these at once or transfer them to sturdy containers.

2. Check and rotate your refrigerator’s contents. Start with your pantry check your fridge for expired items, freezer burned food, overstaying left-overs and anything over 3 weeks and dispose accordingly.

3. Check your storage for any items you stored for longer than a year. Some of these may just be too old to be of use any longer. You therefore need to decide to sell them while you can or throw them out. This is particularly true with appliances and equipment. Off course, some of what you have may become collector’s items or antiques so make that decide accordingly.

4. Reuse the same boxes such as your winter clothing for your spring clothing. Simply update the labels. You may also choose to store the same items in the same box so you won’t need to keep changing labels.

5. Update the contents as you use them. For instance when taking out your beach gear from storage, throw out swim gear that’s worn or no longer useful. Broken skates don’t need to go back to storage and neither do winter coats that no longer fit anyone.

When you simplify and declutter what you keep, you not only reduce the occurrence of future stress or prevent future clutter. You simplify the future.