KIM'S PICKS: Why Wait For Spring Cleaning?

I've noticed a big trend amongst my family and friends right now. They have tossed out spring cleaning with the trash in favor of winter cleaning.

So many folks I know right now are getting down and dirty with cleaning, organizing, recycling, donating, and purging their stuff.

Here's what a friend's recent Facebook post said:

I've given up spring cleaning in favor of winter cleaning. It's great to start of the new year with a more clean, uncluttered house. Besides, the weather is bad now and it's a good time to tackle stuff inside the house.

Good point. Who wants to be inside sorting through old boxes of junk and cleaning out messy drawers in the spring when the temperature outside is warmer, flowers are blooming and there's a chance that we might catch the giant orb in the sky known as the sun?

Not me.

There's another compelling reason to consider winter cleaning. In the traditonal stores' post-holiday season, when the last bits of holiday decoration leftovers are removed from the shelves, what do you usual see in it's place? Handy dandy storage totes, organizers and other tools to get your stuff in order.

See? I think we see a new movement happening!

Let's see how we can progress through the clutter with a little help from local resources.

Professional Organizers

Not sure where to start? How about consulting with one of the many South Sound professional organizing businesses? I found a gem of a site called FindMyOrganizer.com. This site lists numerous businesses that can help with homes, offices, garages, and more. You get descriptions of what each business can provide for your home or office along with their contact information and direct website. Interested? Simply click on the on the aforementioned link for the website and start scrolling. (Tip: if you scroll to the bottom of the page, you can click on your specific geographic area to whittle down the choices even more).

Recycling

These days, when you boil it down, there's so much of our unwanted things that can be recycled. Paper, glass, plastics and the like can all go into the recycling bin. However, if you have a large quantity of things to recycle, or your local recycling program doesn't handle certain items, here are some other resources:

University Place Refuse (University Place): You can recycle certain items on at their business site. Please see website for details.

Landfills/Transfer Stations (Tacoma, Puyallup, Anderson Island, Key Center, Purdy, South Prairie, and Graham): These landfills/transfer stations do accept recyclables in Pierce County. Click on the website link above to find out more information on things accepted, locations, and hours. (Tip: here's a handy dandy link provided by Pierce County that tells you where to recycle, dispose, and donate specific items).  

Recyling Tacoma Gig Harbor Lakewood : Serving a variety of cities in the South Sound, for businesses and large residential jobs, check this company out by clicking on the link above for more information and other great links.

Donating

Have some unwanted clothing that's in great shape but needs a new home? Perhaps a piece of furniture you are no longer using? There are so many items in our homes that can be donated for a good cause. The South Sound is loaded with  terrific organizations that would gladly take your items.

I discovered a cool website called donation town where you simply plug in your zip code and it gives you all the places that will come to your home or business to pick up your donated goods. Try it out!

For drop offs, the Goodwill and Salvation Army have multiple drop off sites. Click on their links above to get more specifics.

Click here for a comprehensive list of Pierce County Food Banks. Some food banks do accept non-food donations (for example, clothing, household goods, furnishings).

Garbage

Let's face it. Some of our stuff isn't stuff. It's junk. It's beyond repair and non-recyclable. Besides hauling your junk to the dump (see Pierce County Landfill listings above), did you know that you can rent dumpsters for maximize winter cleaning efforts?

Check with your garbage disposal providers to see if you can rent a dumpster directly from them. Or try these sites:

Dumpster Source

Hometown Dumpster Rental

Here's to starting 2012 with a fresh clean start!

Readers, do share your de-cluttering, cleaning, organizing, and donating/recycling tips with us in comments.