Cleaning out a storage space might appear to be a simple process, but if you don’t go into it with the right plan of action, it could get messier than it already is. How you handle the items will vary depending on where the stuff came from and if there’s any sentimental value, or monetary value, attached to it. So, allow this article to guide you through the process by outlining all the steps you should take before and after the storage unit is cleaned.
Be Mentally Prepared
Going into the cleaning process requires the right attitude. A positive, proactive mindset will get a lot more finished in half the time than a negative, nonchalant one will. It’s imperative to avoid a pushover’s attitude who is fine with putting things off tomorrow, or not strategically approaching this.
Cleaning out a storage unit is a lot more than just tidying up or purging a bunch of stuff. There is an organizing process, the actual cleaning process, and then the donating, selling, or dumping process. Getting rid of the stuff at BinThereDumpThatUSA.com is the easy part of cleaning out a storage unit. However, everything else will take much more effort and thought. So first, mentally prepare for what you’re about to do.
Outline the Steps
Big projects typically go smoother if you’ve created a blueprint for how you want things to go. Outline each of the steps you want to take to clean out the storage space to give you a goal to reach each day. Give each goal a deadline to ensure you get it done in a reasonable amount of time, as it’s easy to get distracted and waste time. You’ll want to list down every detail regarding who you will recruit to help, how long you want to give yourself to inventory and sort the items, and where you will take the unwanted items or the things you will sell.
Inventory the Items
Keep a paper and pen on hand to keep a running list of what you have. If you have a lot of stuff that you’re trying to sell, then it would be best to keep the list in an excel spreadsheet where you can categorize and price the items.
The inventory can be as detailed or as general as you like, and you might want to save some of the pricing work for when you begin sorting. It might suit you to just go through boxes and give them a label, noting which ones have sentimental things.
Recruit Help
This step might be a little tricky. Make sure that whoever you hire is trustworthy and will honor your best interest.
Have a Set of Rules
Have a protocol for any items that look like they might be sentimental or expensive. It might be best if you were notified of this when it happens to avoid it getting sold or put in the toss pile.
Set a Schedule
Set a schedule of when you want to have everything done, and stick to it! This will keep you on track and motivated.
Recruit Unbiased Help
One of the reasons people hire experts to help clean out units is because they have no emotional attachment to the items. If you think you’ll have trouble giving things away because of their sentiment, then you might want to have an unbiased crew member to help you understand when you should let something go.
Assign Items to a Specific Pile
Make a keep, sell, or donate pile for all the items. This will give you direction and keep the items organized. Before you sell or donate, it might be a good idea to quickly look through the items again to make sure that nothing valuable or sentimental is getting tossed.
Donate as Much as You Can
One of the best parts about purging a bunch of things that are of no use to you is that you might get to help another family out. You would be surprised to find how many organizations will pick up your items for free and donate them to a family or individual in need. Remember that old clothes and plastic toys you throw away will end up in a landfill, so try to avoid throwing anything in your dumpster at home.
It’s easy to get overwhelmed or distracted when you have so many things piled up around you. Keep in mind that organization and structure are your best friend when sorting through your storage unit, and you should be done in no time!
