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One of the first steps you have to take when cleaning out any room in your house is de-cluttering. De-cluttering is necessary before you organize your home because it helps to free up space and also tells you which items you need to actually organize and which ones you need to get rid of. That way you know how many plastic storage bins and other organizational containers you need to buy to finish your organization job.

De-cluttering is a challenge for a lot of people. It is satisfying to free up space, but it is hard to part with items, even ones you do not really want or need. Not everyone knows what to do with their old stuff either. A lot of people throw it away, but this is wasteful. One of the best things you can do is donate what you don’t need to charity. Here are some quick tips for charity donations:

• Look up local charity shops and see what types of items they take (clothing, housewares, tools, etc.). Many thrift stores will accept a wide variety of items, while some have specific preferences for donations and no use for other types of items. Take the time to actually donate the right items to the right stores.

• Ask for receipts when you donate. One great thing about donating to charity is that it can get you a tax break. If you only make a few minor donations throughout the year, there is not much purpose in keeping track of this. But if you are donating in bulk, it may be worth your time to ask for a receipt for the donation. You also need to have a list of the items and their likely worth and condition.

• Comply with charity shop guidelines. Different shops have different guidelines as to the condition of the items they will take. Some for example are upscale charity shops which want only clothing in good condition, while others will take clothing with tears and re-sell it to people who can mend and enjoy it. Figure out the guidelines for the shops you are donating to, and donate accordingly. Do not assume an item is worthless because it has a tear or a hole or another flaw. Ask yourself it can reasonably be mended (by you or someone else). But also do not assume every thrift store will take every damaged item.

What next, after you finish de-cluttering and you take your unwanted items to the thrift store? After you are done with that project, you are ready to organize the items you do want to keep around. Plastic bins for storage are perfect for organizing your things and keeping them in great condition. They can be used in your attic or shed or other storage areas, but also in your bedroom, bathroom, and other main areas of your home. This time when you organize, keep a notebook which tells you where everything is. That way you will have an easy time finding anything you own again!