How do I attack my basement?

Randy Farr
by Randy Farr

From “keepsakes” to empty boxes; I don’t know where nor how to approach it... I have tools for a workshop area; we have an area for the washer and dryer— where my wife would like to hang and fold clothes directly out of the dryer.Add to all this... the basement needs a good and thorough cleaning.The tightest part is determining what to keep, what to give away or sell and how to organize what is left... to make the basement user friendly.Too ashamed to take a picture😔Can you please help?PawFarr

  9 answers
  • Charlee Hunter Charlee Hunter on Apr 14, 2019

    Start in one corner.. take it one section at a time. It's up to you what you keep, but if it's been there for 2 years or more, and I haven't needed it , it goes. Whether I give it away , sell it or throw it away just depends on what it is. Make a keep pile and a 'go' pile. Get rid of the go pile. Buy shelving to organize your items and put the keep things in boxes or totes, and make sure to mark them. One area at a time is key. If you look at the whole thing it sometimes seems daunting. Just start somewhere, the rest will come along.

  • Linda Linda on Apr 14, 2019

    Donate it all. All at once.

  • KonMari Method. Watch it on Netflix to get inspired!

  • Lauren of Mom Home Guide Lauren of Mom Home Guide on Apr 14, 2019

    I have the same problem! I have been trying to spend at least a few minutes each day on it. I’d start out with a few garbage bags. Mark one for recycling, one for donations and one for trash. You also might want some empty storage containers. Try to go through one small section of your basement at a time. Sort out things to trash, recycle or donate. Then start sorting the items you want to keep into storage containers. You could stack large plastic containers or put up shelving. I’ve been trying to keep fewer things. I figure if I donate items, they could be of help to other people and can be used now instead of sitting in the basement for years. You could also try to sell your unwanted items on eBay, Craigslist, etc. Good luck!

  • Cherry Cherry on Apr 14, 2019

    We had a basement like that, stuff from the previous owners too. We hired a clean and green crew. Stayed with them, but they did all the work. They put the piles in the yard. Keep, toss and give. They swept everything and was definitely worth it.


    check internet for someone in your area.😁

    • See 1 previous
    • Cherry Cherry on Apr 15, 2019

      They cleaned for eight hours, ( dd the garage too) we paid $900.00 for two men . Would be less for just the basement. Totally worth it, no regrets,😊

  • Janice Janice on Apr 14, 2019

    Hyst start! Turn on some music you love and just start. Maybe set some boxes up that are labeled -- trash--donate--keep--store. Then work like crazy for a set amount of time and then start again another day. Keep doing and working through this on a scheduled basis and you can conquer it. Remove the donate and trash items as quickly as possible and then store items and date the box. If you don't miss the items after a year, donate or trash them too. Just get started!

  • Valleycat1 Valleycat1 on Apr 14, 2019

    I would start with tossing all trash and broken items and anything you know you want to get rid of. Then start at the door and work either clockwise or counterclockwise around the room. If it seems overwhelming, commit to 15-30 minutes at a time, or take a break every hour or so. Once you know what you are keeping you can organize by zones of like items.

  • Carol Carol on Apr 14, 2019

    Hello Randy.


    Stop where you are and really think about how important those keepsakes are! If you have children, grandchildren and so on you want to pass them on to than now is the time for most of them. Keep the most special ones to leave them when you're gone. Buy them a platic tote and write their names on them then start wrapping those treasures in paper to protect them and put them in the containers. The next part is easy and yet the hardest. Have them come and pick up their containers when your finished. Tell them you have saved the treasures for them but if it is something they really don't want, be sure to donate it to Goodwill or whatever. That really is the hardest part because they just might not feel the same way as you do. Now your keepsakes have gone to who you wanted them to go to and out of your house. You only are left with a very small amount of the mist special to put in small containers with their names on them to save.


    Now is the time to get rid of the rest and donate it. This is more simple. They say if you haven't used or wore it in the past year or two donate it. Lay it out and check it over. If its in good shape or it still works donate it. Even if you don't think someone else would use it or wear it. That's something we hever know. Be honest in this process too. Even if it's new but it's three sizes to small, donate it. It's hard but I did it! If you feel something is special and was ysed on special occasions, keep it for another year or two. You can't give up everything you love or special to you.


    Now you might run across something: say; Vintage even, in a box with the product still in it. Here is a good chance for you to make some money and investigate its value and then sell it on Facebook Marketplace.


    I hope I was in time to help out!

  • Randy Farr Randy Farr on Apr 14, 2019

    My “journey” begins tomorrow... thank you all for good approach... I realize it will be manageable 😊‼️