Got clutter? Got junk? Maybe it's time to ask a pro for help.
Professional organizer Christa Patchen and Nick Wood, owner of the Seattle franchise for 1-800-GOT-JUNK, are answering reader questions.
Read more about how to get organized.
I have an obsession with collecting magazines of all kinds. I have tens of thousands and I cannot bear to throw them out. There are piles everywhere. Recently I tripped on a pile and broke my toe. Just HOW can I get rid of them and feel 'good about it'?
— Ann, Bremerton
Christa Patchen: Ann: I would recommend starting in a key area of the home, like your living room and sorting all the magazines in that area. Sort items by name, people, Real Simple, Time, etc. Toss all magazines prior to 2005 to start. Although you may feel you will reference past information, it's too overwhelming and will probably be outdated information by the time you need it. Try and start a habit of four magazines per month, one each week and toss them after reading. You can also use magazine containers to manage your inventory. Keep in mind that most magazine articles can be reviewed online. Call 1-800-GOT-JUNK to pick up tossed magazines.
Probably the most disconcerting problem to me is too much paperwork and mail sitting around. I'm talking about bank statements, paystubs, insurance paperwork, credit card statements, etc. What can go and what do you have to keep? And what is a good way to manage all of this?
— Bob, Seattle
Christa: Paper is a giant issue in the home and office. You need to stay on top of your incoming paper everyday. Sort paper, separating action items and toss unneeded paper immediately. For your past papers, sort them keeping like items together; bank statements, paystubs, insurance paperwork, etc. Toss any paper that is not vital and you do not need for tax purposes. Keep in mind, 80% of paper is never referenced again so really ask yourself if you need the paper and how you will use it. Once you have the vital papers you need to keep or act on, organize them by action paper, active paper or archive paper. Place action items on top of your desk or where you need to deal with them in a vertical file container and others in a file cabinet. Good luck. Contact my company, Savvy Solution, for more information at
www.savvysolutionsllc.com.
Moderator: To find out what papers should be stored and for how long, go online to
www.bankrate.com/brm/news/bank/19990714a.asp.
How might I get my live-in lady friend to get rid of her junk? Mine is OK.
— Jeffrey, Seattle
Nick Wood: Jeffrey: The first thing to do is to try and sort all of the junk. Once it has been sorted, she can better determine what needs to stay and what can be thrown away, given away or recycled. Oftentimes a good solution is to highlight the positives that would happen from getting rid of the junk. The biggest benefit is the additional space
I have this closet that's full of miscellaneous stuff, and I keep trying to go through it to take inventory and clean it out as needed, but it's sort of "out of sight, out of mind" since it's behind a closed door. Any suggestions on how to actually get moving on it?
— Sara, Seattle
Christa: Sara: You and your family need to allocate some uninterrupted time to this closet. Take about three hours and pull items out, sorting like items together. Toss unneeded items asking yourself how often you use something, when you use it, how you plan to use it. Be honest -- if you do not need it and love it, let it go. Use containers to hold like items and label them for easy retrieval. As new things come into the closet, find a home for them in your existing system or create a new home.
The home of an older relative has more than it's share of well-intentioned but unneeded gifts and just general clutter. When we visit, we always try to help remove some of the clutter but there are some things she won't part with. Should we rent a storage unit? Or do we tell people to stop giving her stuff? How much notice does a company need to come haul away stuff?
— Judy, Seattle
Nick: Judy: Perhaps you could donate some of the gifts or give them to a charity. The Salvation Army is a great place to start and there are many more great charities in the phone book. Once you have sorted all the gifts and determined which to try and give away vs. which ones need to be thrown away, you could call the company I work for, 1-800-GOT-JUNK. We offer next-day service and can often be there the same day. Good Luck!
The dog's toys are scattered around our living room and foyer. What's a good way to quickly roundup and hide these necessities when unexpected guests come over?
— Scott, Seattle
Christa: Scott: I would train your dog to collect the toys for a treat. But if that's not possible, I would purchase an attractive container you are comfortable displaying in your living room (Storables has many options) and place all toys there at the end of the day. Good luck!
My husband and I share a home office, but he is very disorganized and the clutter is driving me crazy! I think his main problem is that he does not know where else to put his papers, gadgets, CDs, computer parts, etc. (I am beginning to understand the saying, "A place for everything, and everything in its place.") How can I help him clean up his act?
— JJ, Redmond
Christa: JJ: Your situation is very common and you need to let your husband know how the clutter is making you feel and that it's important that your home is organized, tidy, calm and a place in which you want to spend your time. I would suggest spending a rainy day in the office sorting all like items together: office supplies, paper, CDs, etc. Eliminate items that are not used or you no longer need. Be brutal -- we can create so much space if we allow ourselves to let go of items we no longer use or love. Assign a home to each remaining item based on how you intend to use the space and select containers to help you maintain. Keep in mind it takes just a few minutes each day to tidy your space. Good luck. If you're still having trouble, contact my company, Savvy Solution, for more information at
www.savvysolutionsllc.com.
Can you offer a suggestion for an organizational tool to sort incoming mail that needs to be seen by several household members?
— Mandi, Seattle
Christa: Mandi: There are so many wonderful tools out there to manage your incoming mail. First, be sure to toss unneeded mail immediately to avoid it backing up. Then I would suggest a vertical container where you open your mail; it could be your desk, office or kitchen. A mesh file container works nicely and each person can have his or her own hanging file folder, as well as a hanging folder for To File, To Read and To Pay. Label the folders and review them weekly. I have many solutions for mail -- you can reach me at
www.savvysolutionsllc.com. Good luck!
How does one sell used furniture, other than having garage sale or advertising?
— Jim, Renton
Nick: Jim, that's a hard question. You could perhaps call an auction house or used furniture store. Sometimes they will let you sell on consignment or even purchase from you and then they will re-sell it. They will usually require that you drop it off at their location. Check your local yellow pages under Furniture or Auction.
If that doesn't work or you can't get rid of it all, you can always call 1-800-GOT-JUNK and we will pick up whatever is leftover.
We've combined two households, and a year after moving in still have many boxes in the basement to go through and put away. Although we've gotten rid of a lot, it is getting old. I hate to just hide things away without first sorting through it (out of sight out of mind), but my partner doesn't want to look at it anymore, and would rather stash everything in a storage area to deal with later. If there was enough room to get to it all, I wouldn't mind, but things get piled and lost and aren't organized. Help! How can we deal with our differences and do you have any suggestions on how to proceed?
— S.M., Seattle
Nick: S.M.: You are definitely on the right track. You need to go through and sort everything before you decide what to keep and what to get rid of. Christa Patchen from Savvy Solutions says that she never recommends using a storage unit for household goods. I can speak from experience that with 1-800-GOT-JUNK? we often go to these storage units years after the stuff was put there and nobody can remember why they even put their boxes in the storage unit.
You need to decide what is important enough to store in the space that you have and then get rid of the stuff you cannot store. You could donate, give away or recycle some of your unwanted items and the rest can be taken away by the company I work for, 1-800-GOT-JUNK?
Good Luck!!
What's the best way to organize my CD collection? I have a constantly increasing number -- probably 500 or so by now... I've tossed most of the jewel cases and I'd like to organize them so I can find them easier.
— Juliet, Denver, Colo.
Christa: Juliet: Good for you to let go of the cases. Since you have many CDs I would suggest sorting them into categories. Toss ones you really don't listen to any longer. Purchase several CD wallets/albums and place the CDs into these according to category, labeling each case. There are many styles to choose from so choose one that reflects your style. Good luck!
Is there an efficient way, perhaps a Web site, to determine if your clutter may be valuable as antiques or collectibles? Thanks.
— Kevin, Seattle
Nick: Kevin: The only way to find that out is to try and find similar items and see if they have any value. The best resource I know of for that is eBay. If you search for an item similar to the ones you have, you will see how much they are selling for. Locally, you could check out some antique stores and even take some items in to see if they have value. Good luck!
What's the best way to deal with a kitchen counter that is continually dumped on every night with pocket contents, mail, paperwork, etc.?
— Colleen, Lynnwood
Christa: Colleen: Oh, the kitchen counter. Be sure to toss unneeded mail immediately to avoid it backing up. I would suggest a vertical container on the counter to collect papers that you need to act on. A mesh file container works nicely. You can create a hanging file folder for each month as well as To File, To Read and To Pay. Label the folders and review them weekly. I would also suggest taking a few minutes each night to tidy the counter so it's not so easy to pile up.
What can I do with old paint cans and artificial Christmas trees?
— Jenny, Bellevue
Nick: Jenny: If the paint cans have wet paint in them they need to be taken to a household hazardous goods location. The City of Bellevue will have some that should be listed in the phonebook. If the paint is all dried up, they can be disposed of as regular junk. If this doesn't work, you can call the company I work for, 1-800-GOT-JUNK, to take away the dried paint cans as well as the artificial Christmas tree.
I have letters and pictures of some historical value that I would like to see in libraries or museums. How do I find the right place to contact people to see if they would like them? A good example are pictures, etc., from Bryce and Zion National Park. My father managed the CCC camps there when they were built. Any suggestions would be helpful.
— Carla, Maple Valley
Nick: This is a little outside of what we usually do in the organizing and junk businesses, but my best suggestion would be to talk to some antique collectors or even try to get in touch with the curator at a museum. If they can't help you, they should be able to point you in the right direction. Good luck!
My two teenage daughters and myself live in a very tiny bungalow style home in old Kirkland. Our biggest issue is what to do with ongoing projects such as crafts, sewing and school projects that we want to have handy so we can work on them. Every closet and storage area is full already with clothes, linens, cooking and cleaning supplies etc.
— Pam, Kirkland
Christa: Pam: Many of us have small spaces so we must be honest with how you want to use your space. I would walk around your home with your daughters and discuss what you want to do in each area. There is always space, but it's usually filled with items we no longer use, love or want. Dedicate some time to creating space in your storage area and closets for the crafts since that is a priority. Sort and toss unneeded craft items and then contain them in appropriate containers, which can be found at Target, Storables, The Container Store and
www.exposures.com. Good luck!
Whenever I make a larger purchase (such as a desk, computer, or other packed furniture), the product is stuffed with styrofoam. If I place it in my garbage can, I have no room for the garbage, and it is not recyclable. It just piles up in my garage until I can go to the Transfer Station (about once a year!). Any suggestions on getting rid of this stuff responsibly?
— Jules, Seattle
Nick: Jules: It sounds like you are doing a responsible job. 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, the company I work for, can come out and pick that up for you if you don't want to wait a whole year. Typically the more junk, the better value for you so if you can combine it with some other junk you no longer want, you will get more for your dollar. You could also just try and get rid of a little bit each week with your regular garbage and hopefully it will be gone before too long.
Clothes, clothes, clothes. I need to free up space, but it is hard to give away items that are in good condition, knowing you may wear them at some point. I always justify it by asking myself, "Why spend the money on something similar at a later date?" Thanks!
— Joan, Kent
Christa: Clothes are certainly a problem since we tend to bring more in than we let go of. Ask a friend, a style consultant (try
www.getlifestyled.com) or a professional organizer for help. They can help you let go as a neutral party. Take everything out of the closet and sort like items together. Toss, toss, toss. Ask yourself if you love the item and it makes you feel great. If not, let it go. When was the last time you wore it? Does it fit, and is it in style? Be honest -- these items are only taking up space for clothes that make you feel super! Use containers to manage small items like scarves, socks, etc. There are many great tools out there -- take advantage of them. Good luck!
Can you please recommend any installers or product brands for loft-style garage overhead storage & name your favorite garage storage/organization solutions. Signed, Desperately seeking inside space for the car [in Seattle].
Christa: I would recommend, after sorting and tossing the entire garage and letting go of unused items, using industrial post shelving as it holds a great deal of weight and you can adjust the shelves as your needs change. You can purchase IP Shelving at Storables. Also, Garage Tek offers a variety of products depending on your needs. Good luck!
I've lived in a one-room, 300 sq. ft. apartment for 10 years. I am overwhelmed with clutter. I can't afford a professional organizer. I also have clinical depression which makes this job appear insurmountable. I have not cleaned in over 4 years. What can I do to help myself?
— Laura, Los Angeles, Calif.
Laura: There is help out there and I would encourage you to take advantage of it. Go to
www.nsgcd.org or
www.clutterersanonymous.net for guidance and support. Start small, maybe on the surface area of your kitchen counter. Select an area that will motivate you and make you feel good. Getting started is half the battle and I would recommend working with a professional organizer who specializes in chronic disorganization. Although it's an expense, it could greatly affect your quality of life. I wish you the best.
Trying to tame the toy mountain in Seattle...Any advice for conquering our kindergartners' toys, games and puzzles, which are overtaking every room of the house? Toys keep escaping from their plastic bins, which are separated by size and category. We try to rotate toys & donate early-age/ no longer challenging games.
— Kindergarten mom, Seattle
Christa: It sounds like you have the bins organized, which is super. Congrats! Are the bins labeled so your young ones know where to put things? You can even label with photos if they are too young to read. Also I suggest a 10-minute tidy at the of the day where each person in the household (Dad, too!) tidies up for 10 minutes. This is a great habit for your children to get into, and you get all the toys in the bins at the end of the day.
I work two jobs and my partner is unemployed and suffering from clinical depression. Consequently, we've got lots of clutter and mess. This means problems related to lack of time, energy, motivation and money. I had some time off over the holidays but didn't get a thing done. I've bought declutter books and think, "Well, I'll just start with this one drawer" but am so overwhelmed with it all. My biggest problem is how to just get started without getting overwhelmed with the amount that needs to be done and the time it will take (as in weeks/months) to get it all cleaned up. We have two dogs and three cats (2 of whom are 18 years old) and so there is constant cleaning up after them as well. Thanks for any tips.
— Melody, Austin, Texas
Christa: Melody: I would strongly suggest working with a professional organizer who focuses on chronic disorganization and depression. You can search for one at
www.napo.net. Organizing is difficult for everyone and this person can help you get motivated, keep you on track and offer the support you need. I wish you the best.
Where can I find out more about recycling stuff like electronics and furniture? I don't want it to go in the dump.
— N, Seattle
Nick: N: One of the resources we at 1-800-GOT-JUNK? often use is 1-800-RECYCLE. It is a Washington state recycling hotline. There are also some good resources in the yellow pages or online yellow pages under recycling. Charities are a good last resort for furniture. If they won't take it, you will have to give it away to someone or call 1-800-GOT-JUNK to come and take it away.
I am self employed at home....a desk, file cabinet and book shelf....work with 50+ file folders and a dozen resource books...a lot of telephone work and drive 2-3 days a week....any GENERAL suggestions for organizing.......Thank you.....
— Frank, Tacoma
Christa: Frank: Unless you are planning to work with a professional organizer, I would suggest breaking the office project down into smaller projects focusing on your priority area first. I suggest sorting each area, tossing unneeded items (asking yourself if you really need it, use it and love it), assigning a home to what's left based on how you want to use the space and using containers to help you in your busy lifestyle.
For your papers, I would suggest a mobile container like an accordion file container for action items: to do, to pay, to read, to file (or whatever your action items are). For the files that should remain in your office, I would break them down by active files or archive so you do not have to search all of them every time. Label your files using a black marker, labelmaker or computer. On the bookshelf, be honest about the books you really need -- books can certainly take up a lot of space which could be housing more important items. Good luck!
I file documents that I need to occasionally retrieve. The problem is, those files are so big, things get lost. What should I do?
— Oscar, Kent
Christa: Oscar: You need to purge your paper. About 80 percent of paper is never referenced again, therefore you are probably storing more paper than necessary. Go through each file and ask yourself if the information is vital and if you must hold onto it. Ask yourself how long you've had the paper and when the last time you needed it was. Hopefully that will pare things back a little. There will be paper you need to hold onto -- taxes, medical records, etc. -- place that paper into an archive file box separate from your file cabinet. If they are still too thick, then sort the paper and try to create two files based on that sort.
I am trying my best to install a new organizational system for my team at work. I have tried it myself and it works wonders. What is your best advice to really getting everybody onboard during a difficult transition process and making things work?
— Christopher, Seattle
Christa: Christopher: Office organizing can be challenging because everyone thinks in a different way. I would suggest a team brainstorm to really identify what is working and not working at the office and what the goals are so everyone is on the same page. Then you recommend your system that has worked really well for you. Keep in mind everyone organizes differently and it may take some time to get everyone on board. My company, Savvy Solutions, does seminars which help employees understand the organizing basics; let me know if we can help.
Is it okay to discard broken stereo equipment (like an old receiver) into the garbage, or is there some special place I would need to take an item like this?
— Helen, Seattle
Nick: Helen: Yes, it is OK to discard broken stereo equipment. There are special places that need to be used for TVs and computers but stereos are OK. There are lots of computer recycling stores popping up and they can be found in the yellow pages. One of the big places that takes computers and TVs is Total Reclaim. They are located at 2200 6th Ave S. In Seattle.
I have huge boxes of toys that weren't cheap when we bought them for the boys (Brio, Legos, KNex, etc.). -- I can't part with items such as these that I feel have a price ...thanks!
— Kim, Bellevue
Christa: Kim: This is a good question and one I deal with often. Toys are expensive, but you have to ask yourself how are you going to use the toys and are they supporting you in your life today. Otherwise, they are taking up space for something that you do use and does support your life. As the boys grow older, there will be so many items that are important and I would work with them to discover what is truly important. If you do need to hold onto items, I suggest a mementos box (a reasonable sized one) that you can place items into and review on a regular basis. These items are also great donations to someone who can use them or pass them along to someone in your family. Good luck!
My aunt is beyond cluttered -- we think she has an obsessive compulsive disorder like hoarding. How can we know the difference between clutter and a real problem? (And how might we proceed to help her? She's a functioning adult.)
— Laura, Seattle
Christa: Laura: Great question and I am glad you are helping your aunt. Visit the
www.nsgcd.org Web site; there is a great deal of information on the stages of chronic disorganization and hoarding. There is a fact sheet that will help you decide how to best help your aunt. I would suggest she work with a professional organizer. You can find one at
www.napo.net. They will best be able to support her.
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