Decluttering For Better Health

Columnist Kibkabe Araya
Posted on Tuesday 18th August 2009

As a frequent flea market visitor this summer, I noticed many people selling belongings that they found in their homes. With the economy in the shape it’s in, unwanted things can actually bring you money and make you breathe easier… literally.

I decided to gather clothes, books, toys, and other things that nobody in my family used anymore. Simply removing these revealed the dust and particles that triggered my household allergies.

Decluttering your space does not only help you breathe better, but it helps you sleep better, thus improving your overall health.

Also, getting rid of unused items is recycling. When someone else uses your things instead of buying new things, you are preventing landfill waste, which is a major conservation issue.

Sort.

It can be difficult to sort what you do and don’t want. You may not want to throw out that pair of jeans, but you haven’t worn them in months, so it’s time to let go.

Sell.

You can sell your old belongings for a little profit. Don’t sell anything that’s dirty, broken, or has an unreasonable price tag. Selling recalled items, especially children’s items, is against federal law.

Yard sales, flea markets, and websites like eBay are ideal places to sell your unwanted things. One downside, however, is all of the planning involved. For example, if you have a yard sale, you have to predict how much traffic will come through and plan around the time you expect the most customers.

Donate.

If selling things takes too much time and effort, consider donating to a local charity or organization. Even if you do sell some of your items, donate the rest.

Call these places before donating because they usually have schedules for accepting donations. Also, they might only want certain items—for example, some might not want winter clothing during the summer, etc.

Another great way to recycle your old items is to “freecycle." Freecycle is an online community in which people post items they want to give away, ranging from old couches to extra bubble wrap.

The site’s goal is to reduce the amount of waste headed for landfills. Whether you’re a donor or a recipient, all the items go for free; the recipient is responsible for pickup. Find a group now.

As the summer comes to an end, cleaning the house is a great activity to de-stress —and now’s the time—before school and work kick back into full gear.

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