5 Ways to Organize and Declutter Your Apartment This Winter
The new year is quickly approaching which means many people are looking forward to a fresh start. There’s no better way to start fresh than with a clean and organized apartment! Keep on reading for our tips on organizing and decluttering your apartment this winter.
1. Pack away summer clothes
Our first tip to declutter and organize your apartment this winter is to pack away summer clothes. By doing this, you’ll have more closet space for your chunky-knit sweaters and boots.
We recommend keeping out any clothes you can layer (like tank tops) because they’re great for a super cold winter day. Find an empty cardboard or plastic box and fold up your summer clothes you don’t foresee yourself wearing this winter and pack them away in your closet. If you have a storage unit at your apartment, it would also be a good idea to store them there!
Don’t have a storage unit? Birgo Realty offers storage units at many of their Pittsburgh properties. If you’re in the market for a new spacious apartment, check out our available ones here.
Another good rule of thumb is to use the “one in, one out” method. If you’ve received clothes as a holiday gift, try going through your closet and donating one piece of clothing for every new one you received.
It’s nearly inevitable to go through your closet and find some items you don’t want or wear anymore. But don’t just throw those items away just yet. Check to see if local organizations or women’s shelters are needing any warmer clothing items.
2. Dust and vacuum
Cleaning your apartment doesn’t have to be an all-day ordeal. The holidays can be extremely draining so we have some quick tips for you to make cleaning a bit easier during the winter time.
Get rid of those dust bunnies
If you do one thing, make sure to dust your apartment. The combination of heat and old dust is a recipe for disaster for those with (and without) allergies. On that note, we also recommend vacuuming your apartment so it’s spic and span.
Don’t forget to dust in those hidden spaces, too!
Clean your bathroom well
Another area of your apartment to clean is your bathroom. The heat and moisture in your apartment bathroom can be a breeding ground for mold and mildew.
Make sure to use a heavy duty cleaner and get in all the cracks and crevices of your shower or bathtub. You can find inexpensive cleaning products at Dollar General or your local Walmart.
Doing these simple things every week will not only make your apartment cleaner this winter, but it will also make you feel healthier as well! As they say, a clean space leads to a clear mind.
3. Take 5 minutes to tidy up every day
Everyone has a quick 5 minutes to spare. Taking 5 minutes to tidy up is manageable and will make you feel more productive.
Whether it’s before you leave for work or right before you go to bed, take a short 5 minutes to tidy up your apartment. If there’s something laying on the floor or a blanket strewn on the couch, take time to put it away or fold it.
Try practicing this every day leading up to the new year. You’ll soon get in the habit of tidying up and will always have a clean space to come home or wake up to.
For more quick decluttering tips for your apartment, read best-selling author Gretchen Rubin’s advice for decluttering in less than 5 minutes here.
4. Organize your fridge and pantry
If you’re anything like my family, your fridge is probably packed to the brim with holiday leftovers. Now is the perfect time to clear it out and reorganize everything.
Start by taking everything out of your fridge. Condense takeaway boxes and other containers and throw away old or expired items.
Use a natural cleaner (we recommend a distilled white vinegar and water mixture) to scrub the inside of your fridge. Doing so will eliminate any food odors and disinfect all surfaces. Once you’re done, organize your food to fit your needs.
Repeat the same process with your pantry or food cabinets. Take out your food and throw away any expired items. Make a mental note of items you’ve never opened so that in future, you know what ingredients you have to use.
We recommend organizing your pantry in a way that puts similar food items together. For example, try grouping canned beans and other legumes together or have a separate cabinet for snacks.
Instead of throwing items in haphazardly, try putting food items in organizer boxes. You can purchase some from any dollar store at a budget friendly price! Or if you’re wanting to make your pantry look a little more aesthetically pleasing, you can purchase glass containers and a label maker.
5. Do laundry weekly
Having a consistent laundry schedule will make your life 10 times easier. As much as you may hate folding laundry, there’s no denying that it keeps a space clean and organized.
An overflowing basket of dirty laundry can be a sight for sore eyes. Why not take 5 minutes to put your load of laundry in the washer? It will instantly make your apartment more tidy; and who doesn’t love the smell of fresh laundry filling their apartment? We know we do!
Don’t have in-unit laundry in your apartment? Take a look at Birgo Realty properties that have on-site laundry. Stables Lofts, Birgo’s newest luxury apartment building in Pittsburgh’s North Side, also offers in-unit laundry. View our floor plans or schedule a tour here.
There’s no denying that putting away laundry makes you feel productive. It’s the small wins that count, especially when you just want to be cozying up in your warm bed.
Conclusion
We hope we were able to provide you with some quick tips for organizing and decluttering your apartment this winter. With these tips, your apartment will be spotless and you’ll be ready to take on the new year at full force.
A reminder: you don’t have to tackle this all at once. You can break each task into more manageable projects for yourself so you don’t feel overwhelmed. Stay warm and happy organizing!
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