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Spring Cleaning
Spring
cleaning for most households is a family tradition. According to the
contributors to
Wikipedia, evidence of spring cleaning can be seen in ancient
civilizations - from the Jewish tradition of cleaning the house before
Passover to the Iranian "khooneh tekouni" or "shaking the
house." Many Americans grew up in households where there was a
yearly purge of dust and "bad air" from the winter months. This too
comes from earlier times when fires of coal and wood were the primary
source of heat and rural households sometimes bundled down with the
livestock indoors. For this reason, some argue that spring cleaning is
not a necessity with our modern furnaces, solid windows and cleaner
spaces. Consider this a time then to do the very best cleaning of all
your living spaces, appliances and work areas. We all skimp on cleaning
out the fridge or stove, now is the time to hit these areas thoroughly. Below we
have listed some common items to clean during this sweep. For a more
detailed list to help on your cleaning, we have also provided a "Spring
Cleaning Checklist."
Common Spring Cleaning Tasks:
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Dust ceilings, walls, corners, light fixtures, base boards, vents,
and furniture
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Wipe down walls, light-switches, outlets, doorknobs and handles
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Clean blinds, curtains, drapes, window sills and windows
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Clean doormats, bathmats, and area rugs
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Shampoo the carpets
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Clean the hardwoods and vinyl
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Dust and wipe down furniture, cabinets, shelves and countertops
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Clear the clutter and get items back where they belong
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Consider items for a garage sale, charity run, or dare to think it -
re-gift it!
Remember to click here for a detailed Spring Cleaning
Checklist!
WORD | PDF
Other important items (while your at it):
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Update important documents in safe or safety deposit box
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Update emergency plans and phone trees
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Review emergency plans with family members
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Review all medications in your household for expirations
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Review first aid kits - these don't last forever and you may need to
replace some items or the whole kit
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Test and change batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
Garage Sale
Now that you have cleaned your house, you have gathered "stuff" that you
no longer use, need or want. Your gathered hoard of goodies will
probably include:
Now what?
Getting ready for a garage sale can be a daunting task
and should be handled with the same planning and care you would give to
a major event - just try to keep it fun - you're planning for a big
block party where you get to meet your neighbors and make some money!
Here are some basic guidelines:
- Take inventory of your gathered hoard:
:Literally list the items as you place them in boxes/bags until the
weather is nice for the sale. This will help you organize items. It
is very helpful if you begin this process during your spring
cleaning.
- Consider items for charity:
If you have some highly valued items, such as gently warn winter
coats or clothing, consider giving some of these items to charity.
You may try to sell most items and then give the leftovers to
charity. However, don't use your local charity as a dump - be
realistic and keep only usable items for these organizations.
- Set a date: Choose a
day where you can rest well the night before and commit your full
energy the day of the event. Keep the big day reasonable - if you
are not a morning person - don't open a garage sale at 8am. With the
right advertising you should be able to set your hours and stick to
them.
- Be firm on your choices:
If you haven't used an item in a year, then it is a
very good chance you won't use it again. Let go of any emotional
attachments to items - even if you mother gave you that clock you
never use you can let it go. Instead, keep the more
personalized items like photos or something handmade. Every gift is
not a treasure! Remember - it was the thought that counted - not the
unworn tie!
- Know the going rate:
Review other garage sales in your area to see how
similar items are being priced. Check online for prices on trade
sites such as eBay.
- Showcase your items:
Hang clothes, put small items in baggies, etc. Keeping your
selection clean and neat will help buyers decide quickly. Also,
label all of your prices. One box of "10 cents each" may be okay,
but try to keep most items clearly priced and labeled.
- Advertise and make signs:
These days advertising a garage sale is not only done in the paper.
You can post announcements to online localized sites such as
Craigslist and even most Penny Savers have an online option as well.
When you make your signs keep them clear, big and simple. Make
certain to take them down as soon as your sale is over.
- Change from the bank:
Before the big day make sure to get some change for the cashbox.
Decide beforehand if you will accept a checks and under what
conditions or for which particular items.
- Prep your sale table:
Besides your cashbox, prep your sale table with bags, newspaper to
wrap fragile items, paper and pens, maybe a few good munchies and
some items for you to do during any slow lulls.
Online Garage Sale
Now perhaps you have items left over from your garage
sale or prefer to sell from the comfort at your computer desk at your
own pace. Just keep in mind that selling items online will require
more time as you write descriptions, place photos and run to the post
office. If you have the patience or enjoy the idea of a virtual
garage sale, these sites will help you get your unwanted items moving
out the door!
Amazon Marketplace:
If you are a bit of a bibliophile and need to thin your collection,
the Amazon Marketplace can be a great option to sell used books,
CDs, DVDs and more. Keep in mind that to list is free, but there are
fees when an item sells. Considered more user-friendly than similar
sites, it is worthwhile to check it out.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=1161232
BarterBee.com: A site
specifically geared towards recycling CDs, DVDs and computer or
consol games between households. Once you sign up for a membership,
you list your used items for sale. Sell items to get points. You can
then use those points to buy other CDs, DVDs or games that you want
to try out. Of course you wouldn't use this site to make cash -
points are used for like items.
http://www.barterbee.com/
Craigslist: An online
mismatch of services, used goods and announcements by city location.
Here you may be able to find used items cheap. It can be the
ordinary like used furniture to the not so common. For example, I
once found someone who had new pavers left over from a patio project
that they were willing to sell at a discount just to get them off
their lawn. You may also be able to find cheap services such as yard
work. However, users beware, there are no regulations on this site
and you should take precautions when working with anyone on this
list. This site definitely has a mixed history of great successes
and terrible wrongs. Be careful.
http://www.craigslist.org/about/sites
eBAY: One of the most
popular and well known online auction stops, eBay has been around
since 1995. Users have the ability to rank other users for the ease
of trade transactions. Probably the biggest garage sale on the
internet.
http://www.ebay.com/
Etsy: Buy and sell
handmade items - a great source for crafters and home artisans of
all medias. This site allows you to sell your talented pieces or
purchase others for less than gallery prices.
http://www.etsy.com/
JunkDepot: An online
clearing house where you can list your items for sale. To list is
$.99 per item and there is a 6 month limit to your posting.
http://www.junkdepot.com/
Oodle Classifieds: An
online classified search machine that searches 80,000 sources. You
can also post your classified adds as well.
http://www.oodle.com/
Sell.com: Another
online classified site that allows you to list items for sale - a
basic add is free and there are no transaction fees once an item
sells. You can get a few more bells and whistles for a cost.
http://www.sell.com/
Silkfair: Another
online trade site that strives to make your life easier with fewer
fees and an easy to use interface. A good alternative to check out
if interested in selling or buying items online.
http://www.silkfair.com/
SwapThing: This site
allows for consumers to trade and barter items or services. There is
also the option to do flat out sales. Unlike an auction site, you
can barter privately and do not have to list items for auction. You
enter what you want and it will match you with others who have it
available.
http://www.swapthing.com/home/index.jsp
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