Living in a haunted house? If your home is filled with items that you’re holding on to only because they’re passed down, sentimental, or you think you may need one day, it may be time to declutter these ghosts. Here are some cleanout tips to help.

Haunted House Cleanout Tips

Look around your home. How many pieces of furniture were free because they previously belonged to family or friends? Are there shelves or boxes are filled with items meant to remind you of a trip or special memory? How many dark corners of the garage, attic, or basement are stacked with storage boxes of things you think you may need one day—even if it’s currently broken? How many of these items can you get rid of and probably forget was even there? (Hint: if you haven’t used it in a year or already forgot it was there until you stumbled across it, this answers the question).

If any of this sounds familiar, you may be living with ghosts—entities that affect the surroundings by cluttering the space. The reason for lingering could be sentimental or an inability to let go because of perceived usefulness. Here are some ways to help set the spirit free.

1. Mementos haunted by memories. Stacks of photos or albums that haven’t been cracked open for years can be transferred to digital files for more compact and searchable storage. If you can’t remember where you got a certain knick-knack, it’s lost its power and can be decluttered.
2. Free furniture from an ancestor. If you inherited a hutch, dishes, or a dining room set, it doesn’t mean you have to keep it if it no longer fits your lifestyle or matches your current design aesthetic.
3. Stuffed storage. Attics, garages, and basements full of boxes are only creating a wonderland for pests looking for a nesting place. If it’s stored and hasn’t been used in the past year, it’s time to let it go.
4. Broken or miscellaneous items. It’s easy to keep something and think you could find a use for it, even if it’s broken. You may start with the intention of fixing it, but if it’s only collecting dust in the “maybe one day” pile, it’s time to say so long.

Some of these items are easier to get rid of than others. Broken items are easily trashed or recycled. Furniture in decent shape can find a new home when it’s donated. Sentimental items are harder to give up, especially if it only holds meaning to you. While there may be no harm in holding on items that make you happy when you look at it everyday, once the piles become overwhelming and overlooked it’s a sign to start decluttering.

Need a professionals to help exorcise these ghosts? Call JDog Junk Removal & Hauling. From cleaning out one room to an entire home, we can help get rid of large or small items responsibly. Then notice the lightweight feeling of being freed from clutter.