7 tips for a productive pre-Christmas clear out

Christmas is just around the corner (only 45 days away to be exact!). A time for festivities, holidays, entertaining guests and spending quality time with family and friends.

Perhaps you have some relatives coming to stay and need to clear out the spare room. Maybe your kitchen needs a good clean in preparation for the big Christmas cook up. No matter the reason, it’s a great time to make a to-do list and get started on your big pre-Christmas clear out.

Here are our seven top tips to help you get on top of your pre-Christmas clear out.

1. Make a plan.

It’s important to put a plan in place before tackling your pre-Christmas clear out. Which rooms need the biggest clear out? How long should you allot to clearing and cleaning each room? What can stay and what needs to go? This will help you stay focused and prioritise tasks.

Think about potential problems before they happen. If you’re planning a big home clear out, consider hiring a skip bin. Skip bin hire will save you a lot of time and hassle when disposing of old and broken belongings.

2. Think green.

While clearing out your home consider the impact sending all your old belongings to landfill has the environment. Sort your waste into recyclables, non-recyclables, donations and green waste before disposing of it.

There are some great online resources to make your cleaning routine eco-friendly. Discover some more uses for everyday household items such as vinegar and baking soda rather than using expensive and toxic chemicals. Steam cleaners are also a great way to clean your home without the use of chemicals.

Consider the ways you can reuse and up-cycle your old belongings. For example, spray paint a pair of old boots to make quirky and colourful flower pots.

3. Donate to charity.

While you’re clearing out items from your home, think about how your old unused possessions could make a difference in someone else’s life this Christmas. Charities are always on the lookout for great gifts for people who are less fortunate. If you have toys, furniture, books, kitchenware or clothes in good condition that you no longer use, consider donating them to a local charity shop.

4. Call in backup.

Clearing out the house is a great family bonding opportunity. Make sure you get every member of the family involved, especially the children, with the reward of pocket-money, a BBQ or pizza night. Have some fun decluttering while teaching the kiddies teamwork, cleaning skills and how to keep an organised household.

5. Declutter & organise.

Before cleaning your house, it’s important to remove all old belongings that you no longer use that are taking up valuable space. Have a look at some handy ways you can declutter your home, closets, bedroom and kitchen. This will make it much easier and time efficient when it comes to cleaning as you don’t have to navigate around and reorganise disused belongings.

Clear out overflowing dresser draws, the kitchen pantry, bulging closets, bathroom cabinets, bookshelves, linen cupboards, the garage and junk rooms to get instant satisfaction with your pre-Christmas clear out progress.

6. Make room for new belongings.

Christmas is a great time to repurpose or donate old belongings in preparation for the influx of new gifts you’ll receive. If your children have old toys they no longer use, donate them to charity. Then you can get them some new toys as presents for them to open come Christmas morning. A good rule to follow to keep clutter at bay is for each new gift, toss two of their counterparts.

7. Don’t forget the outside of your home.

Once you’ve cleared out the inside of your home, don’t forget to look at ways you can clean up your outdoor areas. Dead plants and flowers should be removed, the lawn should be tended to and new seeds planted ready to grow during the warmer months. Also, check your outdoor furniture to ensure you’re ready to entertain your guests in your alfresco space.

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Remember that Christmas festivities are meant to be a time spent with friends and family. Preparing your home now will ensure you have a more relaxing, organised and stress-free holiday season.