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    10-Day Declutter Challenge

    Spring has sprung, which means 2 things: the Spring real estate market is here, and it's time to clean! If you’re anything...

    • Stewart Woodward
    • April 6th, 2021
    • 5 min read

     

     

    Spring has sprung, which means 2 things: the Spring real estate market is here, and it's time to clean!

    If you’re anything like us, the words “spring” and “cleaning” in the same sentence usually make you turn the other way, but when you can break intimidating tasks down into bite-sized pieces and turn them into a challenge, they are that much easier to complete. Introducing the 10-Day Declutter Challenge! 

    You've probably heard how hot the real estate market is right now, and with spring typically being the busy season, a lot is going on. Whether you're thinking about selling your home but know that some spring cleaning is necessary before a photographer comes by or you simply need to do a bit of a refresh, this challenge is for you! 

    Before you deep clean everything, you need to declutter. The less stuff you have, the less stuff you need to clean. During the 10-Day Declutter Challenge, you'll slowly tackle decluttering your home to make it a little less daunting and a little more fun, especially if you’re the type of person who likes to cross things off a to-do list every day. 

    Happy decluttering!

    The Kitchen

    DAY ONE

    Junk Drawers & Countertops

    Before diving too deep into grandma’s china, we’ll start small. Everyone has at least one (or two) junk drawers in their kitchen. Clean these out first, throw away any actual “junk,” and organize the rest.

    DAY TWO

     Pantry, Refrigerator, and Freezer

    Remember those frozen pretzels you bought last year when you were craving them? They’ve probably expired or will stay in there for another year, so it’s probably best to toss them. Go through your pantry, fridge, and freezer to get rid of all expired and unwanted food items.

    DAY THREE

     Kitchen Cabinets

    Now we can dive into the good stuff. If you’re the type of person, who loves getting free cups at every event you go to or has way too many plates, it may be time to part ways. You can donate anything you don’t need or toss anything that’s been used too much.

    The Living Room

    DAY FOUR

     Books, Movies, and the Mail Pile

    Unless you’re stuck in the ’90s or like to collect DVD’s there’s no reason to keep piles of them. You can toss them out, give them away, or put them in a box tucked away.

    DAY FIVE

     Toys, Games, and/or Office Supplies

    If you have kids, you likely have a lot of toys lying around. Today, you'll go through the toys and games they’ve outgrown and set them aside to donate.

    After decluttering your living room, it may be time to update some of the design as well. Take a look at the blog below to get some inspiration! 

    The Closets

    DAY SIX

     Clothes

    This one may be a doozy, but you have a whole day to tackle it! Start by taking everything out of your closet and off of the floor so that you can really see what you have. Then start a pile for Keep, one for Donate, and one for Toss. 

    If you haven’t heard of Maire Kondo yet, she has great tips on sorting through your clothes that actually work. Check them out here.

    DAY SEVEN

     Shoes and Accessories

    Just like with your clothes, sort through your shoes, belts, bags, hats, and anything else that may be hiding in your closet. Throw out or donate things that don’t fit or are not used anymore.

    The Bedrooms

    DAY EIGHT

     Nightstands and Tops of Dressers

    Today let's clear off your nightstands and the top of your dressers and first give them a good dusting. These areas are often neglected and tend to collect a lot of dust. Then, re-evaluate what you have on top of these spaces - is everything functional? Do the remote batteries need to be replaced? Can you get rid of anything here?

    The Bathrooms

    DAY NINE

     Under the Sink

    The space under your sink is probably filled with a couple of things... cleaning products, old lotions, and a few half-used bottles of shampoo. Take some time to go through which products you'll actually use and toss the ones you know you won't or those that have expired. 

    DAY TEN

     Linen Closets and Medicine Cabinets

    Did you know that medicine expires? Well, it does. So those old prescriptions and cough medicine should probably get tossed out. For the last day of the 10-Day Declutter Challenge, we're going to finish strong by tackling the linen closets and medicine cabinets. This would be a great time to put old towels in the garage for chores and to refold all the towels in that one perfect way. 

    You've Reached the End of the Challenge! 

    If you're feeling ready to get your home on the market this spring, the next step is to schedule some time to chat with us.

    Start Here

    Author Photo
    About the author

    Stewart Woodward

    781-647-1552
    I believe real estate is about more than just transactions—it's about helping people find their place in the world while building community. After 40+ years as an entrepreneur, including running a successful commercial photography business based in Waltham for two decades, I've brought my eye for detail and passion for service to the real estate industry. My background in visual arts gives me a unique perspective on showcasing properties, while my experience as a business owner taught me the value of meticulous precision and unwavering client advocacy. With my Metro West Home Team brand, I provide personalized, one-on-one service to every client. My approach combines savvy negotiation skills with local knowledge and a customer-first philosophy. My track record speaks for itself—in recent years, my seller clients' properties have sold for an average of 98.58% of original listing price, typically with offers accepted within 12 days. But what truly matters to me is guiding clients through what can often be an overwhelming process with flexibility, creativity, and personal warmth. Before joining REAL Broker, I managed my own boutique real estate brokerage, Central Square Realty Group, in downtown Waltham for four years. This entrepreneurial experience deepened my understanding of the local market and allowed me to develop a hands-on approach to real estate that continues to benefit my clients today. I'm proud to now be part of REAL Broker, a publicly-traded, technology-powered brokerage operating throughout the U.S. and Canada. Their innovative platform and agent-centric approach perfectly align with my commitment to excellent client service and their motto: "Work Hard, Be Kind." I'm a licensed Real Estate Broker in Massachusetts, a member of both the Massachusetts and National Associations of Realtors, and hold Seller Representative Specialist (SRS) and Military Relocation Professional (MRP) certifications. With over 90 clients served and more than $39 million in sales volume over my 12+ years in real estate, I've developed the expertise to handle any situation—but I've never lost sight of the human element that makes this profession so rewarding. Beyond my professional life, I remain deeply connected to my community. I'm active in the Rotary Club, where I served as president and currently serve as treasurer of the Waltham Club. I also participate in the Chambers of Commerce across Waltham, Watertown, and Newton. My civic engagement includes serving as a trustee of historic Gore Place, where I lead the Buildings and Grounds committee and contribute as an active member of the development committee. I'm also proud to serve on the City of Waltham's Affordable Housing committee, working to ensure our community remains accessible for all residents. I believe in giving back to the community that has supported me. Both personally and through my Metro West HOME Team business, I actively support important local non-profits. We've been a Community Partner of Gore Place for many years, helping to preserve this historic landmark through ongoing sponsorship. With my background in the arts, I'm also passionate about supporting local creativity. Each November, my business and I sponsor the Waltham Mills Artist Association's annual open studios event, creating opportunities for visitors to experience art being created firsthand and to connect directly with talented local artists.

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