Decisions, decisions. Where to begin? It’s on all of our minds. While spring cleaning is often viewed as a daunting, long drawn out process, it can be turned into a rather entertaining and rewarding venture.

Whether you choose to tackle the entire house, basement and garage or just one room, being prepared with the proper tools and resources will make life a lot easier when it comes time to re-purposing, recycling or selling your unused and unwanted items.

Like with any organizing project, you first need to sort your items accordingly. Create the following categories:

• Keep
  
• Re-purpose
  
• Donate
  
• Re-gift
  
• Re-cycle
  
• Sell
  
• Trash
  

Remember, almost everything can be at least recycled. While nearly all of us are familiar with sorting items into these categories, here are a few ideas and resources that will assist you and make the process more enjoyable and gratifying.  

REPURPOSE

Find new uses for, or re-purpose, items that are no longer being used in the way they were intended. Here are just a few examples:

1. Over the door shoe bag organizer: It may have been a good idea at one time, but come on, let’s face it, most of us have more than 10 pairs of shoes! Instead of tossing it into the landfill why not re-purpose it and use it to house all of those irritating chargers? It keeps them tidy and in one place so you no longer need to scuttle around the house looking for that much needed Bluetooth headset charger!

2. Do you have extra bungee cords that never get used? Use them to hold your items against the wall. Put two nails into the wall far enough apart so that when the bungee cord is stretched out and attached to the nails it is tight against the wall. Now tuck your item behind the cord. Use this method in a garage or workshop to hold up your brooms, shovels and rakes in one place.

3. Have you ever found expired sunscreen while cleaning out your bathroom cupboards? Did you know that it can be used as shaving cream?

4. Not using your old file rack in the office anymore? Try and use it in the kitchen for storing cookie sheets and cutting boards.

5. What to do with all those old road maps? Why not use it them to wrap gifts or dress up old cardboard shoe boxes which, in turn, can be used to store memorabilia.

Before you toss or donate an item, think of ways that it could be re-purposed. Try going online to find new and amusing ways to re-purpose. Here is one link to get you started:  

Saver Queen, “Loving the Frugal Life” (saverqueen.com/2009/05/05/repurposing-junk-for-home-organization)

RECYCLING

Recycling can be an overwhelming task but with a little tolerance and commitment it can be very rewarding. Try doing your own search online by simply typing “How to recycle….” and fill in the blank. You will be amazed at how easy it is!

This links you to a list Natural Resource Canada’s list of places where you can recycle just about anything, from computers to chemicals: (www.nrcan-rncan.gc.ca/mms-smm/busi-indu/lin-rec-eng.htm)

These two links take you to Environment Canada’s website. The first one takes you to articles about recycling and repurposing. (www.ec.gc.ca/education/default.asp?lang=En&n=C88A0E73-1)

The second one takes you to a page that explains a bit more about “reuse” and how you can use social networking sites, like Freecycle and Craigslist, to give away the things you don’t want. (www.ec.gc.ca/education/default.asp?lang=en&n=09BFEE5A-1)

SELL

You may have stuff that you want to sell and may not be sure how to go about it. First, items should be clean and in good working condition. If you choose to sell the items online, be sure to find a well-lit area to pose the item and take a clear picture of it. Decide on a price for it and what you are willing to take as a final offer. Write a brief but good description of it. There are various ways of selling your unwanted items. Here are just a few:

1. Post pictures and descriptions of your items on a classifieds website such as Craigslist, Buy and Sell or eBay.

2. Post your items on a social media site’s marketplace such as Facebook.

3. Take your items to a consignment store or auctioneer. Search online; there are many clothing, furniture, home décor consignment stores and auctioneers around.

4. For those of you that have a lot of valuables, it might be worth your while paying for a table at your local flea market.

5. Posting an ad in your local newspaper and hosting your own garage or yard sale is also an effective way of selling things.

Whatever method you choose, be patient and give yourself time to sell your items. If space is an issue you may want to consider donating your items instead. There are various charities and organizations that provide free pickup services. With a little bit of research online, you will be sure to find a local organization in your area. You can also call around to various charities and if the first one or two you call don’t pick up items, they may know who does.

Remember, Spring is about new beginnings and transformations. Removing unwanted items from your home will give you back that much needed space, energy and balance in your life.

Make it enjoyable and rewarding – Happy Organizing!