Eliminate Clutter with the Bin Method

Part five of our Spring Cleaning series is here! If you missed any of the series, no worries, click here to see all of our spring cleaning articles. :)

Has clutter taken over your home? If you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed by clutter, then it is time to get rid of it. Removing big messes can be downright overwhelming. I am here to share some good news though!  There is a way to make it easier! How?

The Bin method.

It helps make eliminating clutter an easier process. Regardless of how bad the clutter is, the bin method can help you manage it.

Bin Method Explained

There are four bins with this method…Each with a purpose:

1. Keep
2. Sell
3. Donate
4. Trash

The keep bin will hold the items you want to keep. These should be items that you use frequently. You might also keep items that have true sentimental value. An item shouldn’t be in the keep bin unless you have a place to “keep” it.

The sell bin will hold items that are in good shape and can be sold. You might host a garage sale, take to a consignment shop or sell the items on eBay. If you don’t want to go through the trouble of selling items, you can donate them.

Which leads us to the donate bin. It is used to hold items that are in very good shape, and can help others. They really should be in nice shape. Only give what you would want to receive.

The trash bin is our final bin and pretty is self explanatory. If you have a real problem with clutter, then this bin is often the fullest container. You might divide your trash pile into two other piles: recycle and legitimate trash.

The Process

The best way to use the bin method to eliminate clutter is to tackle one room at a time. For example, you might tackle a linen closet, or a bedroom. Choose the size of your bin depending on the size of the job. For example, for a linen closet four laundry baskets might do the job. If you’re tackling a bedroom or family room you may need four tarps and some outdoor space.

Empty the space completely. Examine each item in the space and make an immediate decision. Keep it, toss it, donate it or sell it. Don’t linger on the decision. Trust your instincts. And don’t keep everything. That defeats the purpose.

Once you’ve gone through every item in the room, you are going to have four full bins. Hopefully, the keep bin is the smallest. Take out the trash. Call the donation truck to come pick up your items. Take photos of the items you want to sell, post an ad for a garage sale, or take a trip to the consignment shop. Put everything away that you’re going to keep. Make sure each keep item has a good place to go.

Be sure that everything is done properly and in order. – 1 Corinthians 14:40 (NLT)

Cleaning out clutter is much easier when you use the bin method. I am sure it will be a help in your spring cleaning endeavors and help you organize the home God blessed you with from top to bottom.