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Declutter Your Home the Eco-Friendly Way
If you are like many people then you likely look around your home every once and a while and realize that it is much messier than you would like it to be. If that is the case then don’t feel bad because there are many ways that you can declutter the space and do it in the most eco-friendly way possible. Here at Silvana Messing Real Estate, we know how important it is for you to beautify your home, so we have some tips for how you can do that and help the planet at the same time.
Why Declutter?
There are many reasons why you should take the time every month to declutter your home. In addition to ensuring that everything has its place, having a clean house can also help your mental health as well. When we are surrounded by piles of stuff it makes us feel like we are losing control of our surroundings, and if left unchecked, that mental deterioration can only get worse. That is why decluttering is an essential part of the feng shui philosophy of living a less distracting and cleaner life.
If that weren’t good enough news, you may also be surprised that having a clean house can also increase the value of your home because when potential buyers aren’t distracted by clutter, then they can clearly see the beauty of the architecture and they may be more inclined to buy. Keep in mind that if you make any substantial improvements to the home that you should take before and after photos and also keep receipts so you can show the money that you put into the project.
Recycling the Big Stuff
Remember that clearing clutter doesn’t mean only light cleaning and the removal of small trinkets. If you have large items like furniture, electronics, and appliances that you no longer use, then you may consider clearing those out of the house as well. However, as we’re trying to be eco-friendly, it is important that you do not just put them on the curb on garbage day because many of the electronics can have harmful chemicals that can pollute the land and waterways.
If you do need to clear out televisions and audio equipment that still work then consider giving it to charity. There are plenty of people who can make good use of those items. If the electronics are damaged, then make sure to bring them to a recycling center.
Going Digital
There is a chance that you have a lot of physical photos and paper bills and files laying around and they can take up a lot of space. A good way to preserve those memories and documents is to scan them all into your computer and upload them into the “cloud”. This is a great way for you to access that information from anywhere and it will stay there forever. Then, make sure to shred any confidential documents and put that and your pictures into the recycling bin. Once you have uploaded a file, you can file it away into a specific folder so you can always find what you need.
Decluttering in general is easier if you stay organized and take one task at a time. If you have a larger project, break it down into parts so it doesn’t seem so daunting.
Green Cleaning
Once you clear the clutter, you can start to clean off your counters, floors, and walls. When choosing the best products, look for green options. Many cleaning products have ingredients like phosphates and triclosan, which are harmful to our water and soil. Instead, make it a point to pick out safer products that won’t cause damage and will clean your home just as well.
As you can see, there are many ways that you can declutter your home in an eco-friendly way. Consider these tips and you’ll live a cleaner life and feel happier overall. If you are buying or selling a home, then Silvana Messing Real Estate can help. Contact us at 415.305.8702.
