Organize Your Home like a Pro with Help from Goodwill

Did you know that April 26th is Get Organized Day? It’s a perfect time to clear out the clutter and start fresh. Thankfully, you don’t have to hire a professional organizer to get your home into tip-top shape! At Ohio Valley Goodwill, we have the tips and tricks to help you organize your space like a pro!

Whether you’re organizing a closet, a junk drawer, your garage, kitchen, or another part of your home, here are five basic steps to follow:

Donate to Goodwill and make a difference in your community

#1: Get the big picture

First things first: take a look at the space or room and decide how you want to use it. What belongs in that space? What doesn’t? It can help to take a ” before” photo and compare it to the ” after” photo when you’re done organizing!

#2: Purge your ” stuff”

We all acquire things throughout the year: paperwork, clothes, accessories, books, gifts, and more! Streamlining all this ” stuff” can make your home feel like the peaceful, organized dwelling you deserve. Go room-by-room, closet-by-closet, and drawer-by-drawer to clear out any unnecessary clutter.

Organizing expert Marie Kondo recommends removing every item from a closet and putting it on the floor or bed. When everything is out in the open, it’s a lot easier to move onto the next step and make decisions!

Tidy up and donate to Goodwill!

#3: Decide what to keep, store, and donate

Next, it’s time to make decisions about what belongs in your home. If you’re like many people, this is the hardest step! It helps to separate your stuff into three piles, using cardboard boxes, bags, or plastic storage containers. Here’s how to decide what stays and what goes:

What to Keep

As you sort through each item, take time to consider if you really want to keep it or not. Be honest: does it make you happy? Do you use it or wear it? Do you have room for it in your home? If so, keep it! If not, consider donating it to Goodwill.

What to Store

You’ll likely come across clothing items or decorations that you want to keep, but it’s not the right season. Store these items in a box or bin to protect them from dust and moisture. Be sure to label the container, so you know what’s inside! When the next season arrives, and you find you don’t want or need those items anymore, you can always donate them.

What to Donate

Any items that you no longer want, need, or use can likely be donated. Ohio Valley Goodwill gladly accepts donations of clothing, accessories, shoes, jewelry, books, home décor, small electronics and appliances, kids’ toys, games, and so much more. We even accept car donations for our weekly auto auction!

When you’re ready, bring the items you want to donate to your nearest Ohio Valley Goodwill donation center, and we’ll take care of the rest. It’s that easy!

Wicker basket from Goodwill

#4: Find creative storage solutions

Once you decide what to keep, it’s time to give each item a ” home.” You don’t have to purchase fancy organizing products, either! For example, you can repurpose cardboard shoe boxes for paperwork, photos, and office supplies. Use smaller boxes or trays for cosmetics, hair accessories, and jewelry.

You can also use some unconventional storage solutions to keep your things organized. A vintage suitcase makes stylish décor and can be used to store out-of-season clothing. Wicker baskets can hold blankets, magazines, and throw pillows. Think outside the box, and you’ll see there are many practical ways to stay clutter-free!

#5: Keep up the great work!

Spring is a fun time to get organized, but the truth is, decluttering isn’t a once-a-year activity! To keep your home looking its best, it’s a good idea to declutter at least every season.

When you declutter a little bit at a time throughout the year, it won’t be such a big chore when Spring rolls around again! We recommend keeping a box or bag in the corner of your closet for items you want to donate. When it’s full, simply bring the box or bag straight to your nearest Goodwill donation center!

Donations box

Why donate to Goodwill?

Ohio Valley Goodwill is more than a thrift store; we’re a non-profit with over 100 years of service in Greater Cincinnati! Your donations help support vocational programs and services for individuals with disabilities and others facing barriers to employment. Through our innovative donation-resale model, we turn gently-used items into revenue that fuels our mission to change lives through the power of work.

Donate to Goodwill and change a life!

So, just by donating your ” stuff,” you’re helping people in your community receive skills training and other employment services so they can obtain meaningful employment! Thank you for your support!