We’ve all been there. That moment when you look around your home and wonder how you’ve managed to accumulate so much stuff. You can’t find what you need, items are lost and forgotten, and it seems like you’re constantly battling clutter. But there’s a solution: storage bins. By emptying, sorting, and utilizing these bins, you can transform your space from chaotic to calm. In this post, I’ll share the 15 bins I emptied and organized to create a less chaotic home.
1. Kitchen Utensil Bin
The first bin that I tackled was the kitchen utensil bin. This was a veritable treasure trove of gadgets and gizmos that had been lost or forgotten in the depths of the drawer.
To start, I emptied everything out and gave the bin a good clean. Then, I sorted the items into three piles: keep, donate, and discard. I was ruthless in my sorting, and only kept items that I used regularly. Anything that was damaged, broken, or simply not used was either donated or discarded. The result was a neat and tidy drawer where I could easily find what I needed.
2. Children’s Toy Bin
Next up was the children’s toy bin. This was a daunting task, as it seemed like every time I turned my back, more toys magically appeared.
But I was determined. I followed the same process as before: empty, clean, sort. The key here was to involve my children in the process. I explained that by donating some of their unused toys, they could help other children who might not have as many. This helped them understand the importance of decluttering and they were more than happy to help.
3. Pantry Bin
The pantry bin was next on my hit list. This was a black hole of expired canned goods, half-used packets of pasta, and random ingredients that I’d bought for a recipe and never used again.
Again, the process was simple: empty, clean, sort. I discarded anything that was past its use-by date, and made a note to use up any ingredients that were nearing their expiration date. By organizing the pantry bin, meal planning became a breeze and I was able to reduce food waste.
4. Bathroom Bin
The bathroom bin was a cluttered mess of half-used bottles of shampoo, discarded razors, and old makeup.
I tackled this in the same way as the other bins: empty, clean, sort. I tossed any expired products and donated anything that was still good but that I simply didn’t use. This not only cleared up valuable space in the bathroom, but also helped me streamline my beauty routine.
5. Office Supply Bin
The office supply bin was next. This was filled with old pens that no longer worked, random pieces of paper, and other office supplies that had seen better days.
Using the same process, I managed to declutter this bin and create a more efficient workspace. I found that by having a clear and organized space, I was able to focus better and be more productive.
6. Linen Bin
The linen bin was overflowing with mismatched sheets, old blankets, and towels that had seen better days.
By sorting through this bin, I was able to donate any items that were still in good condition but no longer needed, and discard anything that was worn out. This freed up space in the linen closet and made it easier to find what I needed.
7. Cleaning Supply Bin
Next on my list was the cleaning supply bin. This was a mishmash of half-used bottles of cleaning products, old rags, and random cleaning tools.
By emptying and sorting this bin, I was able to streamline my cleaning routine. I kept only what I needed and used regularly, and discarded anything that was old or unused.
8. Craft Supply Bin
The craft supply bin was a chaotic mix of random bits of fabric, half-used tubes of paint, and other craft supplies.
By sorting through this bin, I was able to organize my craft supplies and make it easier to find what I needed for future projects. I also found that by decluttering this space, I was more inspired to get creative.
9. Garage Bin
The garage bin was next. This was filled with random tools, old paint cans, and other miscellaneous items.
By sorting through this bin, I was able to create a more organized and efficient workspace. I kept only the tools that I used regularly and discarded or donated anything that was no longer needed.
10. Holiday Decoration Bin
The holiday decoration bin was a jumbled mess of ornaments, lights, and decorations.
By sorting through this bin, I was able to get rid of any broken or unused items and organize the remaining decorations. This made decorating for the holidays much easier and more enjoyable.
11. Clothing Bin
The clothing bin was overflowing with clothes that no longer fit, were out of style, or simply weren’t worn.
By sorting through this bin, I was able to donate any items that were still in good condition but no longer needed, and discard anything that was worn out. This freed up space in my closet and made it easier to find what I wanted to wear.
12. Shoe Bin
Next on my list was the shoe bin. This was filled with old, worn-out shoes, and pairs that were no longer worn.
I sorted through this bin, discarding any shoes that were worn out and donating those that were still in good condition but no longer worn. This cleared up room in the closet and made it easier to find the pair I needed.
13. Junk Drawer Bin
The infamous junk drawer bin was a mix of random items that didn’t seem to have a home anywhere else.
By sorting through this bin, I was able to discard any items that were broken or no longer needed, and find a proper home for the remaining items. This created more space in the drawer and made it easier to find things.
14. Makeup Bin
The makeup bin was filled with old products, half-used items, and makeup that was no longer worn.
I sorted through this bin, discarding any expired or unused items, and organizing the remaining products. This not only cleared up space in the bathroom, but also made getting ready in the morning much easier.
15. Medicine Cabinet Bin
Lastly, the medicine cabinet bin was overflowing with expired medications, old band-aids, and other random health items.
By sorting through this bin, I was able to discard any expired or unused items, and organize the remaining products. This made it much easier to find what I needed when someone in the family was sick or injured.
There you have it – the 15 bins I emptied to create less chaos in my home. It was a big task, but the results were well worth it.