Cleaning out a home is a major undertaking.
The sheer amount ofstuffcan be overwhelming.
You might be up against a tight deadline because the house needs to be sold.
Not surehow to sell things online? Check out our complete guide for tips on writing item descriptions and taking the best photos.
Or maybe youve been putting this off for a long time but now youre ready to tackle it.
Heres how to get started.
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Where and how do you start?
First, create a plan of action and a realistic timeline.
Consider your resources and deadlines.
In fact, it will probably take days or even weeks or months to get everything organized.
Does the house need to be sold by a certain date?
Can your siblings fly in to help?
venture to account for breaks and moments with sentimental items as you plan your timeline.
Cleaning out a family home is more emotionally taxing than packing up for a normal move.
If you have help, assign everyone a task or a room to declutter prior to beginning.
Carefully read through it with a lawyer before you roll clearing out the house.
This legally binding document will decide who gets what and how to proceed with dividing the estate.
Asking yourself these questions can help you solidify your action plan and timeline.
If the house is large or you dont have family members who can assist, consider hiring professionals.
It may seem pricy, but you might sell items from the house to recoup some of the cost.
Hiring help is a smart idea if you should probably clear out a home in two weeks or less.
Its also hard to put a price on your mental health.
Professionals can alleviate stress by doing the heavy lifting and helping you get organized.
Dellaquila suggests tackling a spare bedroom first, especially if you arent sure where to start.
Attics, basements and garages.
Otherwise, you might discard important items and regret it later.
Step 3: Decide What to Keep
So what do you actuallydowith everything?
The answer depends on the pop in of items and how much time you have.
Sentimental items are invaluable, but sorting through them is incredibly emotional and time consuming.
Dont attempt to go through each photo or family memento now.
It will only slow you down and make an emotional task harder.
Deciding what to do with other, larger items can be trickier.
Remember, you dont have to be a curator of a museum of your mothers stuff, Dellaquila said.
Never assume you know what is important to other people.
Good first steps: Empty the wastebaskets and shred piles of unimportant papers.
Get rid of stacks of junk mail, old receipts and coupons.
The same goes for damaged, broken or stained items.
Your local Goodwill doesnt want that rusty, wobbly patio table any more than you do.
(You could try a curb alert though.)
Need to get rid of hazardous items or chemicals, like paint?
TheEnvironmental Protection Agencysuggests contacting your local health or solid waste agency for information about proper disposal.
You may be able to recycle those items.
Check the EPAslist of retailersand what they accept or use therecycling center locatorfrom the National Center for Electronics Recycling.
Theaverage national weekly rentalcosts around $360.
These companies usually provide yard cleanup, too.
To find the best rate, get at least two to three junk removal quotes before hiring a company.
They can also help with marketing efforts if you hold an estate sale.
you’ve got the option to find a collectibles appraiser in your area through theAppraisers Association of America.
However, thrift stores dont accept everything.
Here are ways to donate five things you might encounter while clearing out a house.
Old Magazines and Newspapers
you’re able to always put non-glossy magazines and newspapers in the recycling bin.
you could also reuse old newspapers to wrap fragile items as you pack up the house.
Some of it is worth a lot of money.
National organizations likeProject C.U.R.E.andMedShareaccept donated medical supplies from members of the public.
it’s possible for you to also search for medical equipment charities in your area on Google.
Theyll even send you a prepaid shipping label.
Nonprofit organizations focused on specific diseases or disabilities may also accept equipment donations.
They contract with durable medical equipment companies that can pick up items from the house.
you could find local food banks and pantries in your area throughFeeding AmericaorSecond Harvest Food Bank.
It also never hurts to Google food pantries near me.
Linens, Towels and Rags
Animal rescues and pet shelters are always in need of supplies.
Animal shelters can use these items to line beds and cages and after baths.
Give your local animal shelter a call and see if they need these items.
They can probably use trash bags, paper towels, gloves and other cleaning supplies, too.
Libraries usually sell these donations in a Friends of the Library bookstore or fundraiser.
Many libraries let you drop off one to four boxes of books at a specific location without an appointment.
However, they probably wont take hundreds of books, or you may need to make an appointment first.
TheLittle Free Libraryprogram is another option.
These small take a book, return a book exchange boxes have sprouted up all over the country.
you’re free to find a Little Free Library near you by using thismap finder.
How to Get Rid of Everything Else Without Leaving the House
Still have stuff to give away?
you might ask friends and neighbors if they want anything.
you’ve got the option to alsohold a garage saleto clear out smaller miscellaneous items.
Here are a few nonprofit organizations that accept donations, many of which offer pickup services.
Looking for other organizations that pick up donations?
Another option isPick Up My Donation, which either connects you to local nonprofits or a partner pickup provider.
you might also request priority pickup for an additional fee.
Rachel Christian is a Certified Educator in Personal Finance and a senior writer for The Penny Hoarder.
She focuses on retirement, investing, life insurance and taxes.
(Can you sense my millennial sarcasm there?)
You know which ones were talking about: rent, utilities, cell phone bill, insurance, groceries…
