Become an Eco-Friendly Decluttering Expert

Have you ever considered the damage your cleaning products could be causing to the environment? Wouldn't it be great if you could declutter your entire home and office in such a way that your unwanted items didn't end up in a landfill? Today, Susie's Organization Solutions shares some friendly tips and resources for decluttering your surroundings without adding to the clutter of the planet.

Recycling the Big Stuff

Using a landfill may be a cost-effective way of getting rid of waste. Still, the environmental implications mean it's far better to use alternative methods, including the following:

•             Recycling: Large appliances such as stoves and refrigerators, along with smaller items like toasters and microwaves, can easily be recycled. Residents of West Michigan can take their unwanted or broken items to your local recycling center. www.reimaginetrash.org (Kent Co.) or www.comprenew.org

•             Donating: If your appliance or electronic device is still in working order or you have bedding or clothes you no longer use, donate them!  Places such as the Salvation Army, Goodwill, the Red Cross, and local thrift stores would welcome your unwanted reusable items. 

•             Turn your unwanted items into cash: Sometimes, the need for cash means selling your unwanted items is more appealing than donating. Garage sales are good ways of earning extra cash, or you can use online classifieds or marketplaces such as Facebook, or eBay.

Going Digital

The chances are if you were around before digital photography became standard, you're likely to have hundreds if not thousands of photographs lying around cluttering up your home. To ensure your precious memories remain safe and all in one place, you can scan them and upload them to the cloud. Once they're uploaded, you can easily access them through your web browser.  Also check out www.thephotomanagers.com to find a local photo organizing expert who can help you with your collection.

Cleaner, Greener Cleaning Products

When choosing your cleaning products, remember not everything on the store shelf is created equally. Choosing the right product is essential, but it can sometimes be a minefield. Here are some tips to make it easier:

•             Ingredients: If a product doesn't state its ingredients, put it back on the shelf. Transparency is essential when choosing safe cleaning products.

•             What to look out for: Avoid products containing ammonia, which is toxic if inhaled. Other harmful ingredients to look out for include butyl glycol, ethylene glycol, and monobutyl, which are dangerous to the nervous system and phosphates harmful to marine life.

•             Listen to the label: If you see the words danger, toxic, corrosive, irritant, or poisonous on the label, avoid the product.

More eco-friendly products for cleaning, many of which you can find in your kitchen cupboards, include:

•             Baking soda

•             Distilled white vinegar

•             Castile soap

•             Lemon juice

•             Washing soda

•             Dish soap

•             Salt

A Cleaner Home, a Quicker Sale

If you ever decide to sell your property, decluttering and cleaning are essential to staging your home and possibly adding value. Just make sure you keep track of any significant improvements you make by retaining receipts and taking before and after photos to quantify your home's increase in value.

Less Clutter and More Eco-Friendliness

Following the tips outlined above will help you declutter your home, giving you more space and energy to focus. Not only that, but your unwanted items will also be in the hands of others who can either recycle them or gratefully put them to good use!  

Susie's Organization Solutions has helped many clients over the years find their peace with their “stuff” and make their homes functional and inviting spaces. I have always enjoyed helping others. Call 616-554-3175. SOSOrganizeU@gmail.com

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