Decluttering Your Basement the Ecofriendly Way

Having guests for the summer? Tired of wading through basement clutter? When you plan ahead and acquire the right tools, decluttering your basement space doesn't have to be as daunting as it looks.

1. Gather the supplies you'll need. These include things like large garbage bags, boxes and packing tape. If you have years of unwanted items in your basement, you may even want to consider a dumpster rental. Disposal companies like Cardella can help you recycle many of the items you're tossing--like electronics, batteries, wood and cardboard--so you won't have to add all of your basement junk to the landfill.
2. Pick a corner of your basement, and begin going through boxed and unboxed items, one-by-one. Create large, designated boxes for "Donate," "Sell," "Throw Away," "Keep," and "Undecided"--and make sure that every item goes into a box. (If you find yourself putting most items in the "Undecided" pile because you're a packrat, force yourself to rethink things. Have you used the item in the last year--or even the last 6 months? If the answer is no, find another pile for it.)
3. As your "Throw Away" pile gets full, go through it for recyclables. Set the items aside to give to your local recycling company. Bag the rest of the garbage and dispose of it in your trash receptacle or rented dumpster.
   
4. Select a charity to give donations to, and schedule a pickup or drive items to the organization within 1-2 days. Getting rid of items quickly is a great way to help others--and to prevent yourself from second-guessing the giveaways and deciding to keep things you don't need.
5. Choose an organization system (cardboard boxes, clear plastic bins, etc.) to organize the items you're keeping. Print out large, easy-to-read labels for each bin or box, and cover the labels in clear packing tape to keep them from peeling or fading.

Cleaning out the basement can be a long, frustrating task--so give yourself several weeks to accomplish your goals. After the space is clean and clutter free, avoid making new piles. Continue to assign places to each item in your home--or be quick to give them away or recycle them. Regular home and basement maintenance is the best way to avoid a lengthy cleanout next summer!

Need to rent a dumpster to help with your basement decluttering--or a summer renovation project? Call 1-888-772-RENT to reserve your container today!