13 Tips for Purging your Home

13 Tips for Purging your Home

SheIn $15 striped romper Rosemary Beach, FL angela lanter hello gorgeous

 

SheIn $15 striped romper Rosemary Beach, FL angela lanter hello gorgeous

SheIn $15 striped romper Rosemary Beach, FL angela lanter hello gorgeous

SheIn $15 striped romper Rosemary Beach, FL angela lanter hello gorgeous

SheIn $15 striped romper Rosemary Beach, FL angela lanter hello gorgeous

SheIn $15 striped romper Rosemary Beach, FL angela lanter hello gorgeous

SheIn $15 striped romper Rosemary Beach, FL angela lanter hello gorgeous

Y’all.  I’ve fallen down a deep dark hole.  That hole is called “Purging”.  My husband may never speak to me again (kidding).  I came home from the dermatologist yesterday with every intention of sitting down to write this blog post.  But something inside of my brain snapped and said, you need to clean out your kitchen cabinets.  NOW.  8 hours and one car full of donations later, my kitchen is unrecognizable.  It began a domino effect for me though…  I moved on to Matt’s office, and every other room in my house.  If it was in my path, it was in danger of being tossed or donated.  I’m now +2 car fulls of donations deep.  And it feels awesome.

I feel like a new woman with a new home.  I’m not sure how I accumulate so much stuff in such a short time because I’m a Grade A purger (is purger even a real word?).  Family and friends call me when they need motivation to organize or purge.  It’s like a secret talent (or weapon in Matt’s opinion).  Here are a few tips I can give for anyone who needs a good house or closet purge.

  1. Use my 3 month rule.  If I haven’t worn or used an item in 3 months and can’t see myself using it in the next 3 months, it’s gone.
  2. Throw out excess and duplicates.  Specifically, toss those extra linens and towels you don’t use.  Almost every linen closet I encounter has +3 sets of bed sheets for each bed.  Let’s be real for a second…  You use one set, maybe two, wash that set and put it back on, or rotate with your other favorite set.  For adult beds, anything over two sets is really unnecessary.
  3. Donate uncomfortable shoes, clothes, linens and more.  If you don’t enjoy wearing something, why keep it?  Just because a certain pair of shoes is to die for doesn’t mean you should feel like you’re dying every time you try to wear them.  Move on, girlfriend!
  4. Don’t forget your underwear, swimsuits and sock drawers.  Areas that most of us forget to clean out!  How many times have you put on a pair of undies and thought, “These are so uncomfortable”?  Or looked are your socks and realized they have -10 wears left in them.  This is the time to go out with the old and in with the new, if you need new.
  5. Organize.  Be sure to neatly organize the items you decide to keep.  After you empty shelves, cabinets and drawers, organize and categorize as you replace everything.
  6. Deep clean as you purge.  Sounds like a nightmare, I know.  But listen, if you are emptying a space, take an extra 60 seconds to clean and disinfect the shelf or drawer.
  7. Look at expiration dates and toss. it. OUT.  I’m not just talking about food but toiletries too.  Did you know sunscreen expires?
  8. Clean out that medicine cabinet.  Toss out expired medicines, supplements and ointments.  Make a list of items that need replaced as you purge.
  9. Toss mismatched Tupperware and dishes.  Most kitchens have about 150 plastic lids and 25 containers.  Match them up and toss out the rest.
  10. And while you’re in the kitchen, clean out that utensils drawer.  I just did this last week, and y’all, I couldn’t believe how many broken and melted kitchen tools that needed thrown out.
  11. Attack that junk drawer.  We all have one.  My junk drawer is the last drawer on the right in my kitchen.  One day, I completely emptied the drawer, cleaned and sanitized the drawer itself and began purging all the crud that lived there.  I put in two of these drawer dividers (love them!) and kept one side for keys, one side for pens and pencils and the largest middle section for everything else.
  12. Pace yourself.  If you undertake too big of a job, you’ll tucker out and throw in the towel.  Set attainable goals.  Aim for one room, area or even cabinet each day.  Remember, slow and steady wins the race.
  13. Recruit a friend.  Have a hard time parting with junk (be honest…)?  Ask a friend or family member to come over and help you decide what to keep, what to donate and what to trash.  Be willing to return the favor.

Purging is the best feeling when it’s all said and done.  If you need a little inspiration, check out the book, “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing“.  This book gives great tips and ideas for what to get rid of and why.  I don’t agree with every single suggestion or that you need to thank each item you own for it’s service (so silly) but I was very inspired to get off my toosh and get to tossin’!

What are some of your favorite purging or organizing tips and tricks?  Leave a comment and let me know!  I love to hear from my fellow organization junkies sisters!

Okay, okay…  My purging rant has come to an end.  Today’s look is from our time at 30A.  This striped romper is so cute, but the back is fully open, so I would suggest my go-to sticky bra with this look.  Let’s be honest though, my favorite part of this outfit are the donuts.  The Donut Hole is the most incredible donut shop I’ve ever been to in.my.LIFE.  Not joking.  If you’re ever in the Panhandle, this place is a MUST!

This post was originally posted on Aug 2, 2016.


What I’m Wearing:

Striped Backless Romper  |  Tory Burch Wedges  |  Stick-On Bra  |  Quay Sunnies  |  Accessory Concierge Earrings  |  Accessory Concierge Bracelet  |  Baublebar Ring  |

1300 867 Angela Lanter
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28 Comments
  • Angela! Great post, loved it. I am about to clean out my cabinets because I feel I have way too many cups and plates and only use a few. LOL. Also would love to hear about 30A a little more. I live in Florida and want to book a quick getaway. Where did you stay, restaurants, etc.
    Thanks!

    • Angela Lanter

      It’s such a great feeling getting rid of things you don’t use or need! Good luck! 🙂

      I’ll put together a 30A travel guide! xo

  • I’m guilty of holding onto clothing items that I NEVER wear. I just get this “sad’ feeling of the thought of getting rid of it….even though I haven’t worn it in a couple of years….how pathetic is that!? Btw love your romper. It’s adorable!
    -kate
    Katekoutures.blogspot.com

    • Angela Lanter

      Think about all that space you could have for new pieces that actually excite you though! 🙂

  • Alexandra

    Now after reading this post, I realized that having seasons change helps a lot. Every six month we move clothes around the closet, and get rid of things we don’t wear. The hard part is to throw away expired make up products. Almost broke my heart couple of times. It’s like a voice of a “full makeup” lover inside: “you should have tried harder”????

    And poor Matt! I bet you’re like a little tornado around the house (same thing here, ha).

    • Angela Lanter

      Season changes really do help. It’s kind of like God’s way to remind us, out with the old and in with new!

      Ugh I feel you on the makeup. I never want to throw any beauty products away!!

  • Jada Nicola

    That romper is really cute!

    http://thegirlfromconnecticut.com/

  • Maura gripp

    I love this blog post! I just did a major purge because I seem to accumulate five thousand of everything.

    • Angela Lanter

      Thanks Maura! It feels so good to get your closet and house cleaned out and organized!

  • Girl! Once you’re back in Vancouver you have to go to Cartems Donutrie. Get the London fog donut or the earl grey. They are incredible!

    • Angela Lanter

      I’ve never heard of that before! I gotta check it out!

  • Love this post! I had read other articles and pinterest items on how to purge and declutter. I had gotten rid of several items in past few months. Donated, sold some, and threw away the really bad junk. I love that you have made a post about this too. Other people who need items and it is nice to give back. One man’s garbage or old items is another person’s treasure. Something along those lines…heard it long ago. With moving, always nice to purge items no longer need and want. Less packing and items to take with you. Best of wishes with move to Vancouver and look forward to Matt’s show Timeless. New chapter in your lives. Love you guys!!

    • Angela Lanter

      Absolutely!! I love to bless others with something that they need! If I have a higher priced item, I like to put it on Poshmark. It’s a great way to make some of your money back. 🙂
      Timeless is such a great show. I can’t wait for you to see it!! xoxo

  • What great timing because I just told my husband yesterday I wanted to purge our house again and planning to start today! Thanks for the tips!

    • Angela Lanter

      Yay!! It’s like a fresh new start! I just reorganized all of my photos into matching photo boxes ($2 at Michael’s!) last night. I’m donating all of my mismatched photo albums. I’m planning to get the majority of photos back in albums once I find some I like that all match. That way they can be neatly displayed in my living room cabinets. 🙂

  • Love these tips!! I’d call this a talent haha, because I don’t have it. And the back of that romper is to die for!

    http://www.maggiealamode.com

    • Angela Lanter

      Thanks Maggie! Enlist a friend or family member that doesn’t live with you to come help you purge. Often, a new set of eyeballs that has no emotional connection to your belongings, will really help give you the encouragement to toss out the stuff you don’t want or need. Also, read the book I recommended! It’s a great way to light a fire under your toosh to get started!! 🙂

  • Jillian Burroughs

    Angela,

    I just organized my closet a few weeks ago, thankfully didn’t have to get rid of a ton of clothes. Whenever I shop I ask myself “will I wear this more than once?” If not then I put it back on the shelves and invest in something I will wear a lot of like flannels for the fall season, ankle booties, maxi dresses. Cocktail dresses are gorgeous but not always worn a ton unless on cruises.

    It’s such a terrific feeling having a clean organized closet though, I discovered I have so many sweaters definitely don’t need anymore of them ????

    I LOVE your romper it’s adorable!!

    • Angela Lanter

      Such a great way to shop! It is such an amazing feeling opening your well organized closet! 🙂

  • Brittany Blackburn

    I did this last year. I absolutely love everything organizing, planning, time management! My spiritual gift is administration. I spent 1 week spending a little time each day going through every single spot in my apartment. My dad calls me a minimalist, and I’m okay with that, lol!

  • I instantly recognized the location! It is about time to book a beach trip….

    • Angela Lanter

      Girl, I hear ya. My heart is crying for some 30A time!

  • Really great tips. I did a major purge before reading this and I second every single tip. It has become a bit of an addiction, I now seem to be purging my boyfriend’s and my mom’s things as well (sorry not sorry). My additional tip for motivating yourself to purge is to think about who you can give it to (charity/friends such as battered women’s shelter, goodwill, Big Sunday, Habitat for Humanity etc.). I feel a lot less wasteful when I know that someone else can really cherish an item that I never use/wear. Spread the love and give! Also if you’re a skincare junkie like me, just think about the expired makeup and skincare that you put on your skin and how that can cause skin problems (everyone’s nightmare).

  • Tracy Meldrum

    The three month rule for clothes can work wonders in your kitchen to. I have so many pots, pans, muffin tins of various sizes, brownie tins, loaf pans, lasagna pans, cake pans…. Just so much!! And so many appliances that stay in cupboards. Maybe it’sa one year rule. Haven’t used it for one year won’t be using it for another……. Why keep it?

    • Angela Lanter

      That’s a GENIUS idea!! I never even thought about that for the kitchen!!

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