Winter Cleaning?

We’ve all participated in the well-known tradition of spring cleaning once the weather starts to get warm, but what about winter cleaning? The holidays are, in fact, just as good of a time to declutter your home. Think about it: you’re already digging into the depths of your home storage to retrieve your decorations, you’re cleaning your home in preparation for family to come over, and the gifts you receive are, in a sense, adding to the clutter you’ve amassed over the years. Why not take a weekend, or even a day, to clean out your home and start the new year off with less stuff and more space?

There are lots of options for what to do with all of those things you’ve been holding onto but really have no use for anymore. Here are some suggestions of what to do with those old electric candles that have burned out or sweaters that never get worn:

• Toss them: Sometimes, no matter how attached you may be to those half-burned out lights that you’ve had since you moved in, you just have to let them go. Chances are, if you haven’t used something in the last two years, you won’t use it in the next two, or ten.
• Donation: A great way to get into the holiday spirit is by donating clothes or items that you no longer have use for, but would greatly benefit someone else. Find a Salvation Army or Goodwill near you, and start digging through your closet.
• Alternate storage: Sometimes there are items that you really can’t get rid of, but simply don’t have room for. Renting a storage unit is a great way to open up some space in your home without having to part with your favorite things.