There are numerous smart ways to maximize basement storage space by decluttering and cleaning your basement. What often happens is that these convenient storage spaces turn into a dumping ground for unused household items like Christmas decorations, old clothes, and sentimental gifts. This can lead to uncontrolled chaos, which can take a lot of effort to clear up over time. In addition, neglected cleanliness and clutter can cause musty smells and mold growth. Fortunately, all of this can be prevented quickly and easily with a well-thought-out strategy and an organized approach. Here are some practical tips that can help you complete this household task.
Where should you start when decluttering and cleaning basements?
Many people wonder where to start when cleaning out the basement. Some might call this place a dungeon, others a black hole, but either way you probably hope to one day climb this mountain of clutter and stuff piled on top of each otherlike Marie Kondo. It's no problem to store a few extra items in the basement. However, when boxes start disappearing into the shadows of other packages, a clutter problem can arise. Luckily, it doesn't have to take weeks to clear out the depths of your home. In order to defeat the forces of dirt and clean up the basement once and for all to save space, a few steps are required.
The key is to implement the right basement organization ideas that maximize the space you already have. When you're trying to figure out how to clean and organize a basement full of stuff, it's pretty easy to become overwhelmed, perplexed, or discouraged before you even get started. However, creating and personalizing your own organization plan can help ward off the stressful side effects of the dark magic of clutter.
Before you start, design an action plan to be prepared, stay focused, and track your progress. Additionally, you should also take a “before” picture to use later when comparing the beginning to your finished basement. Ready to get started? You can consider the following steps as an example of an organizational plan.
Evaluate the items in the basement and dispose of them if necessary
The essential step in this task is to initially empty your basement so that you can inspect it for problems such as mold, water damage, or pests. Hire a professional home inspection if you're not sure what to look for. Make sure you fix any problems before returning your belongings. The one thing you definitely don't want to find in your basement is any form of puddles or moisture. It's important to recognize the obvious signs that yourBasement room waterproofedmust be checked before you start work.
In addition, there may be things in it that you have long forgotten about. So if you want to declutter and clean your basement, it's best to first classify items into three categories: keep, donate, and throw away. If you find that you don't use an item often, you can quickly decide what to do with it. If your belongings are in poor condition, it may be time for the dumpster. You may also find it difficult to let go of nostalgic things. Overcome this by thanking each object for its service and letting it go. Alternatively, you might just find that tool or board game you've been looking for forever while cleaning up.
Also read:Decluttering your closet: What makes reverse decluttering such an effective method
Adjust storage options based on available space
First, make sure your basement can accommodate your storage ideas. Basements are often damp and susceptible to mildew and mold, particularly due to their underground location. This can make storing sensitive items such as antiques, collectibles and other items challenging. If, after separating your inventory, you decide that you want this kind of stuff to stay there, it is important to make sure the space is suitable for such storage. Eliminate excess moisture with a dehumidifier, clean and paint areas prone to flooding.
After you've sorted your items and prepared your basement for storage, the next thing you need to decide is what type of shelving you want to use. Overall, metal shelving is a great way to utilize vertical space and wall storage, optimizing the load-bearing capacity and organization of a basement. There are generally two types of metal shelves: individual shelves and built-up shelves. Each of these types has its own advantages and disadvantages, which are listed below:
- Standalone shelves can hold more weight and require no assembly. However, you need more space and have to assemble the individual units.
- Mounted shelves maximize otherwise unused vertical wall space, but have limited capacity. Such units also need to be stable and require careful assembly.
So, depending on the design of your garage or basement and the items you need to store, each type of shelf may be more helpful than the other. If you want to store heavier items, you should opt for a freestanding shelf, while to utilize unused wall space you could use a mounted shelf.
Categorize items before decluttering and cleaning your basement
Once you've decided on the right shelves, it's time to categorize your items. You should store similar things together and next to each other. A great way to organize your items effectively is to store them by season or use. For example, you can store decorations and extra clothing by season, then store sports gear and camping gear in the same area. Achieving this level of organization not only helps you store more, but also makes it easier to locate and retrieve items when needed. Consider purchasing plastic containers and storage containers to make it easier to organize similar items next to each other.
Then choose a location on your shelves, clothing racks, or hooks to place each category. Consider putting labels on each shelf and box so you can quickly assess what you'll be storing there. If you need to store smaller items that aren't easily identified quickly, place them in sealable plastic bags. Then label them clearly using a label maker or painter's tape and a marker. This is handy for extra cables or other small items. If you are undecided about what type of storage container to purchase, clear, durable plastic containers are recommended. This makes it easier for you to find items. However, if you're decluttering and cleaning your basement on a budget, boxes or other containers you have lying around the house can also work. However, these are more susceptible to damage from moisture.
Example checklist for basement cleaning
If you've already completely cleaned out your basement, that's probably where most of your home storage is located. Basements are ideal places to store things you only need to access occasionally. However, basement rooms can quickly become confusing and dirty. Here are some weekly, monthly, and annual cleaning tasks you can complete to stay on top of the overall cleanliness of your basement.
- Weekly cleaning work– If you finally have time to devote to cleaning your basement on the weekend, this could save you the extra time. Clean up the area every week to keep it tidy. Weekly chores include: throwing out trash, putting away non-essential items such as toys, stray cups, etc., dusting and wiping surfaces, and sweeping and/or vacuuming, depending on the surface.
- Monthly basement cleaning tasks– Every now and then, basements need more than just tidying up. Wash your clothes, curtains or curtains and other textiles stored there every month or sooner. If your basement also serves as a living space, this may include carpets and upholstery. Also tackle the following tasks each month: clean windows inside and out, clean/wipe down furniture, clean vents and blinds (if applicable).
- Annual cleaning of the basement– While there are some cleaning tasks you should do regularly to keep your basement sparkling clean, some are only needed occasionally. You can put off these specific jobs until your annual spring cleaning nears: removing and washing lamps, replacing light bulbs as needed, wiping down walls, baseboards, and doors.
Even though the basement isn't an area that everyone will see, you should still follow the steps above regularly. This makes this area easier to keep clean. Also have some simple cleaning products on hand. Take a little time to wipe down surfaces and sweep the basement. This will also go a long way in making your entire home feel tidy.
