Decluttering the Kids' Rooms

In December, I like to go through my kids' rooms and clear out outgrown or damaged clothes and toys, making room for the Christmas presents. This past weekend, I filled six trash bags and created some semblance of space and order in their rooms. I also donated about 12 bags and boxes of usable items to the Goodwill.

I'm really not much of cleaner or organizer, and I like to get this project over with as quickly as possible. With that in mind, here are my tips for how to get the job done without losing your mind.

One: enlist the kids, or get them out of the way

With kids that are in preschool or younger, it's easiest to sort through their things when they aren't watching. Yes, I feel a bit guilty throwing out their stuff while they're watching cartoons, and not giving them a say. But it's a bit traumatic for kids to see Mom and Dad throwing their stuff away anyways.

With older kids, get them involved and interested by asking them what they'd like to be able to do in their room. My daughter told me she wanted to use her desk, which was full of doll clothes, for art. She was willing to get rid of three bags of stuffed animals, two bags of broken toys, and three more bags of other outgrown things to make this happen.

Two: set aside a block of time, and grab some trash bags

Yes, I know time is precious, and you might only have half an hour. But in half an hour, you can clean out one or two shelves of a closet. Blast that music on your iPod, grab a trash bag, and let everyone know that nobody is to bother you while you're cleaning. If the kids are helping, let them pick the music. If not, enjoy the solitude.

Designate one bag for trash (hopefully, you'll fill more than one). Set aside another bag or box for charity, or a yard sale. That way, you'll be able to sort items quickly, tossing them into the appropriate bag.

Three: don't think too hard

There's no need to agonize over the decision. Pick up an item and ask your kid these questions (or guess what their answer would be):

1) Do you know what this item is?

2) Do you use it?

3) Does it fit you?

4) Does it work?

5) Do you like it?

If the answer to any of these questions is "no," get rid of it! If you would buy it at a yard sale or second-hand store for your kid, it goes in the charity/yard sale box. Otherwise, throw it out.

Four: don't bite off more than you can chew.

Don't try to clean the whole room in half an hour. It's impossible. If that's all the time you have, just do one shelf. Any more, and you'll just drive yourself crazy.

Five: get things out of the house as quickly as possible.

Kids forget about things that used to be in their rooms quickly: out of sight, out of mind. So bag everything up and get the purged items to the trash bin outside, or in the trunk of your car to go to the Goodwill or Salvation Army, as soon as you have finished with the purge.

Six: think twice about yard sales

If you're so busy you can't find time to purge toys and clothes your kids outgrew from their rooms, why would you try to have a yard sale? Think of all the time you'll be spending cleaning items, tagging items, and sitting in your driveway haggling with people who want to save $0.25. Is that really how you want to spend your time off work?

I didn't think so.

Drive those things over to the Goodwill or the Salvation Army.

Seven: take the tax deduction

This is why I do the purge in December-that, and because the kids are more willing to let go when they know that more toys (presents!) are coming soon. You can deduct the fair market value of the things you donate when you do your taxes a few months down the road.

To estimate fair market value, which is very different from the price you paid to buy an item new, think about how much you would pay for it at a garage sale. You can also use the Salvation Army's valuation guide. Of course, to know how much your items are worth, you have to track what you are donating. I keep a piece of paper next to the donation bin and use tally marks to count the number of shirts or stuffed animals. When I put something in the donation box, I write it down.

You can also use a digital camera to photograph your donations. This serves as further documentation, and is especially useful for large or valuable items.