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Declutter Storage Containers & Storage Boxes {Mission}

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Today's mission is to declutter storage containers and storage boxes.


It makes sense to put this mission on the Declutter 365 calendar now, after three weeks of decluttering the main storage spaces and areas in our home.

#Declutter365 mission to get rid of empty storage containers and storage boxes that you accumulate as you declutter the items held in them from your home {on Home Storage Solutions 101}use this Pin it button to save to Pinterest
These include decluttering your:After doing these missions if you still have storage boxes and other containers that you need to sort and go through, go ahead and do this as part of today's mission. Empty them by working through one box at a time, 15 minutes at a time.

Decide What To Do With Excess Empty Storage Containers

However, the main point of this mission is really to deal with all of the now empty storage bins, tubs, boxes and containers you've got now that you've decluttered a lot of the junk inside of them.

Obviously I think you should save as many of these empty containers as you think is reasonable for use later, because you don't want to have to go out and buy new ones if you decide to store something in the future.

On the other hand, lots of people have found after working through the Declutter 365 program that they actually don't need as many bins and boxes as they've currently purchased for themselves, and all of the excess containers themselves become clutter.

Keeping one or two (or whatever number you find reasonable) for later use is perfectly legitimate. Planning to re-accumulate as much clutter as you used to have, and therefore assuming you'll refill all
those storage containers completely up again is not something we should aspire to!

So today assess, for yourself, what you think is a reasonable number of these containers to keep and then decide how you'll get rid of the rest of them.

Remember, if you use nesting containers, that stack easily, one inside the other, they don't take up as much room, but don't use that as an excuse to save too many.

I would love to hear from you, in the comments, telling me what you think is a reasonable number of empty containers for you to keep for later use. I'd also love to hear your ideas for what to do with the empty bins you decide to get rid of.

Possible ideas for these containers include selling them, such as in a garage or yard sale, or through Craigslist or something similar, or donating them to a charity or similar organization that could use them.

Below I've gathered quite a few pictures sent in by readers who've been very proud (and rightly so!) to show off all their empty storage bins and boxes they've now been able to get rid of when the clutter left their home by working through the Declutter 365 daily missions.

I hope these photos will inspire you, and also show you that small daily actions can yield dramatic results over time!

And special thanks to a reader, Amber, who sent in several photos of all the empty containers she got rid of over the course of several months, several of which you'll see below, but also that you see above in the mission photos.

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More Of Amber's Empty Storage Containers & What She Did With Them

One side effect of decluttering a lot as part of the #Declutter365 daily missions is that you'll end up with lots of empty storage containers and bins, that you'll then have to declutter. Hey, that's the kind of decluttering I like having to do! {featured on Home Storage Solutions 101}use this Pin it button to save to Pinterest

As I mentioned above, Amber sent in quite a few photos of her empty storage bins and boxes, to show how much stuff she decluttered from her home. Above is a collage of more of those photos.

This is what she said about the photos, which were sent in one at a time over the course of a several month period.

First, she said, "We just moved and these all got sold today. The contents mostly are going to garage sale and donate. :) woohoo."

Next, she said, "Sold another set of bins. Everything in them dealt with, donated, trashed, recycled or reused thank all goodness. I will probably only be purging one more set of bins."

Finally, she said about the empty storage drawers, "Selling these bin drawers. Great for storage (a.k.a for us that means hoarding). I thought about using them in my sewing room, but just couldn't do it. They are not something I want permanently, and are too flimsy (they all stack and come apart) to be accessing much in the top ones. Will I regret it? Maybe short term, but I am loving having to purge everything that doesn't fit in what we have (that isn't bins). As you can see from all the bins I've already sold, we had a bin problem! I told myself if we ever move again, I want it to be less than we came with :) We are loving just having all of our favourite things around."

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Getting Rid Of Excess Storage Bins & Containers Shows Your Progress

Empty storage bins and containers are evidence of your progress when it comes to decluttering your home {featured on Home Storage Solutions 101}


Think of those empty containers and boxes as badges of honor, or a last symbol of all the hard work you put in to get your storage spaces cleared out of excess junk and clutter.

Be proud of those empty bins, and then get rid of them! :)

Here's just a few more photos from readers who did just that, so we can cheer them on. The photo above is from a reader, Ammi. She said, "These empties show my progress so far! Most were filled with my mom's things. Many will be filled with my adult kids things and either given to them or stored here but ready to go go go! So much has been done here! Thanks for the motivation."

Use your empty boxes and bins from decluttering and use to take things for donation or to sell {featured on Home Storage Solutions 101}


Similarly, Linda sent in the photo above of her empty containers, stating, "My stack of empty boxes. Already used some of the cardboard boxes to take stuff to flea market and Goodwill. I will keep the empties until the rehab is done, then decide on their fate."

Want To Do More Decluttering Missions? Get Started With Declutter 365 Today!

Declutter 365 missions: 15 minute missions for your entire home

Once you declutter one type of item in your home I bet you'll want to declutter some more. After all, decluttering gives you a great reward for even a small investment of time and energy.

The Declutter 365 system is designed to help you declutter, over the course of a year, your entire house, with just 15 minutes of decluttering each day!

Hundreds of thousands of people use this proven system to get rid of their clutter, and bring peace and calm back to their homes.

Declutter 365 works to guide you to clear the clutter without overwhelm, focusing on just one small area at a time, and without making a huge mess in the process, so you see consistent forward progress without all that "messy middle" that makes it even harder to function in your home than before you started.

In addition to building a daily decluttering habit, the Declutter 365 program, along with the accompanying 52 Week Organized Home Challenge, teaches you the skills, habits, routines, and mindsets necessary to maintain the clutter free and organized state of your home from now on, so it'll never be as messy and cluttered as it is right now, ever again.

If you haven't already, make sure to get your copy of this year's Declutter 365 annual calendar here (it's FREE!), find today's date, and do 15 minutes of decluttering on the day's mission. Then, repeat again tomorrow, and again and again. Over the course of the next year, if you do this 15 minutes per day, you'll declutter your whole house!


Click here to take me to this year's Declutter 365 calendar



You might also be interested in this article, which explains a simple clutter solution to keep your online purchases, and the shipping boxes they come in, from overfilling your home.

Simple clutter solution so your online purchases don't overfill your home


Related Pages You May Enjoy

Getting Clutter Free 15 Minutes At A Time Hall Of Fame

Getting Rid Of Garage & Storage Spaces Clutter Hall Of Fame

Go From How To Declutter Storage Containers & Boxes To Home Page

Comments for Getting Rid Of Excess Storage Bins & Containers Shows Your Progress

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My Own Personal Container Store
by: Kim

I keep all my (currently) unused containers, baskets, boxes, cubbies, etc., in a very small tidy corner of my basement. I call the area my "Container Store." When I rearrange something or condense something (or the opposite: start a new hobby, etc.), I shop there first for just the right size and type of container.

Flooding or hurricane areas need to have them on hand
by: Anonymous

I learned the importance of having at least a few empty totes on hand. I live in Florida and if you have ever experienced a hurricane or had to evacuate you will know that it's not always the wind but the tidal surge that causes flooding that can be heartbreaking. Having the empty totes on hand enables you to use them to pack in the event of an evacuation. You can use them to pack things in that you are taking with you (especially if you are loading up in the rain!). You can also use them to pack things in that you have to leave behind. Moving things from downstairs to upstairs or simply leaving the tote on top of your furniture so it's off of the floor can help save precious belongings. If you have the room to store them it's great idea to keep at least a few.

Large Plastic bins with lids
by: Debbie

Large plastic bins make excellent nesting/hiding/over-wintering boxes for feral cats. In my neighborhood, there used to be a giant population of ferals and strays. We got designated a feral colony and got TNR surgeries at a very low cost. The colony has decreased significantly over the years due to attrition. There are lots of pins with instructions to make a cat cubby with empty plastic bins.

Shelter
by: Suzy

I think donating clean, usable totes to a Women's shelter or Food bank would be a great idea. I am sure they can always use them. If you are able, maybe even fill one a month with diapers and wipes or non perishable food.

Chalk marker labeling
by: Anonymous

Clear stackable containers are the best; fold-up ones are useful but don't keep things clean or dry. Opaque ones okay, but use erasable chalk markers in bright colors to write detailed contents much faster and bigger than labels. If contents are not changing, just put clear tape over the chalk info. Without detailed info, no one remembers that they put the old baseball glove in with the family photo albums at the last minute, so label everything inside.

Use As Moving Boxes
by: Karen

My husband works in college athletics, which means we move frequently. Because of that I keep all my storage containers that are in good shape. They are much better than cardboard boxes because they're sturdier, making them better at protecting your stuff. Also, if you always get the same type of tub they are easily stackable, making packing the truck much easier.

Clutter or Needed
by: Anonymous

Storage containers that you purchased need to be saved if possible. Cardboard is one type of container I would not save. Cockroaches and other pests are attracted to the paper and glue. I am so grateful for my containers, they are very useful.

What I decluttered!
by: Angela

Decluttered a rather large container yesterday. A long dresser housed my fabric stash for the last 5 or six years. The fabric has been donated, trashed and reduced to 1 small bin for later use and the dresser has been sold. Such a nice empty space in our garage!!

Congratulations
by: Judy

I know the wonderful feeling of purging the excess and having favorites around. You’ve done a great job.

Community Theater
by: Anonymous

Donate the storage containers to your local theater for prop storage! Call first, but usually they can use them.

Selling containers
by: Anne

Where would one sell large containers? I assume not on eBay due to the prohibitive size for shipping.

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