A basement can be a great extra space in a home – for storage, a playroom, a home gym, or more. However, it can quickly become musty and cluttered if you don’t properly clean and maintain it. It can also be a breeding ground for mold, mildew, and dust mites, especially if you own a home in Austin, TX or Tampa, FL where there is a lot of humidity. If you’re not vigilant about keeping your basement clean, it can quickly become an unhealthy place to be.
To help you achieve your cleaning goals, we asked experts for their best basement cleaning tips. Read on to learn more.
Why is it important to clean and declutter your basement?
Maintaining a clean and well-organized basement has other benefits aside from aesthetics. “If your water heater breaks or your basement floods, it’s much easier to navigate a clean and organized basement,” notes Tina Curtis from Curtis E Organizing. “Also, because emergency technicians bill by the hour, a cluttered basement can cause delays and cost you a lot of money.”
With everything else taken care of, it’s time to start cleaning.
1. Decide on a purpose or two for your space
Ask yourself a few questions before tackling your basement. The team at B Organized Today suggests these questions:
- How will you use your basement?
- What do you want it to look like?
- Is your basement a finished room or a storage area?
Having a purpose makes it easier to identify what you can keep and what you can throw away.
2. Start decluttering by targeting items you want to get rid of
If you’re overwhelmed about where to begin, you can slowly build momentum by starting small and working your way up. “For especially cluttered areas, start small and target the items you know you want to get rid of or donate,” says Brennan Reid from Aristotle Organizing. “This way, once you work up to the other areas, you’ll have an easier time letting go.”
3. Use different color bags for trash, donations, and recycling
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