Winter can be a dangerous time of year for an overstuffed home. With heaters, radiators, and other warming devices operating at all hours, an overabundance of belongings can be the perfect fodder for a fast-moving house fire. Piles, boxes, and bags of possessions all around your home increase the risk of a winter mishap, and if disaster strikes, not having a clear route to an exit can transform a bad situation into a tragic one. If things are feeling overwhelming in your Lancaster, PA home, the clutter cleaning experts at ServiceMaster Fire & Water Clean Up are prepared to help you clear out your excess items. But don’t be afraid to try some tidying on your own. If you’d like to make a change and combat that house clutter, try starting with these three steps:
- Start Small:
Make small, reasonable goals. If you’re dealing with a large amount of house clutter, planning on clearing out the living room in an afternoon could leave you feeling discouraged and stressed. Don’t be afraid to start as small as a single drawer or corner. Even sorting a box a day can help more quickly than you may realize! The only caveat is that you have to start somewhere. Once you choose a spot, put on something to watch or listen to while you work. If you can associate the clutter cleaning with other relaxing activities, it can become easier to fit it into your day.
- Clean in Tiers:
Note that we’re saying “tiers,” not “tears” (in fact in this case the former may prevent the latter). This means that you don’t want to start by clearing out possessions that have emotional meaning to you, such as photographs, old notebooks, mementos, or clothes. Though it might feel like a powerful first step, more often than not it will just lead to a lot of reminiscing and little progress. The first tier should be non-valuable items; think empty boxes, old magazines, trash, or broken toys. The second tier can be items that may be useful, but that will be better used by others: extra hangers, shoes you don’t wear, that potato ricer you got for Christmas last year and so on. After the bulk of the non-essentials are dealt with, that’s when you can start dealing with the yearbooks and old letters. If you’re debating whether or not to keep something, it might be helpful to check with family members, friends, or neighbors to see if they have a use for the item.
- Get Help:
Dealing with house clutter is a big job, and you don’t have to do it alone. Lighten the burden by asking family or friends to help clear things out. Help can also come in other forms; if you or your family are recognizing the signs and symptoms of a hoarding habit, don’t be afraid to ask for assistance. Depending on your situation, this help can come from a special service, such as ServiceMaster Fire & Water Clean Up, or from a medical professional. Hoarding habits can be identified by dangerous levels of house clutter, deep attachment to non-personal items, and the consistent collection of more belongings.
If your house clutter or your hoarding is disrupting your daily life or the lives of your family members, residents of Lancaster, PA can call ServiceMaster Fire & Water Clean Up today at 800.570.4206 for a consultation or to set up a clutter cleaning appointment. For more details on their clutter cleaning services you can also visit their website here. It may not be the season for spring cleaning, but your safety is important all year round.
