Trying to clear up my basement , How can I do do that daunting task?

Don't over due it. Tackle bit by bit. Try to work on smaller spaces at one time so you can see the results.

It may take longer this way but you wont go crazy. I tried cleaning out my workshop once and decided to do it all in one day. The only thing I ended up doing was moving everything from inside the workshop to the backyard. By tackling smaller areas at a time you are able to go through everything and get rid of it or properly organize it.

I agree with Jacks Beta. If it is a lot of small items you could get approx. 10 boxes and go down and fill up those boxes. Then when you have emptied them you can return to load them again. It takes a while to figure out what to do with things you have stored for years. If you know what you are donating you could fill the boxes with only those things. Then move on from there.

Make 5 bins/boxes with handles...... dump, recycle, sell, donate, keep. Line the bins against the wall, keep paths open. Be realistic, if you haven't used it in a year chances are you won't. If you've got a tidy friend, get them to help you decide on items.

Organize what you keep by putting away in your home. You can use stacking bins.... but their going to have a home. Make sure you put like things together, and label the bins well so you can find stuff.

If there is a lot of furniture down there, create a temporary area to stage it, and call St. Vincent de Paul to pick up the items you won't be keeping.

At the end of a few days, I drive to the dump to recycle what I can and dump what I can't put in trash can. Then start again.

Thank you :)

The 3-bin or pile method might work. As you sort thru your "stuff," designate it as Keep, Trash or Donate. This gives you a road map for the task & when you're done, you have whittled down your "stuff" to a more manageable pile to figure out. Another option, instead of donate, is to have a yard sale so you make a bit of cash to apply to your refinishing project.

First thing is be sure to use boxes the size you can carry up those stairs. I.E. if you are packing heavy items, like books, it is tempting to cram them in a box and oops you can't pick them up. Copy paper boxes are a good size. Make evening time, even just an hour, if at all possible and more on weekends. Arm yourself with large markers and packing tape! I agree with make a box for different kinds of items. Keep; Trash; Donate; Tools, children clothes, adult clothes and shoes, etc. Don't make piles because you are wasting time handling it the second time. Once you start I think you will be amazed how fast it will go. Put boxes in your vehicle each time you will be going near where something needs to go. Have lots of willpower. I always tell myself, "If in doubt, throw it out." If you have things from when children were young it is difficult to decide what to keep. 100+ pages of drawing and coloring from age 2 to 10 is impossible to keep. Quickly go through them and pick a couple to frame and hang them somewhere you can see them often and smile. Don't start reading letters, old bills, cards, looking at picture albums, etc. If it has been in the basement for years you aren't seeing it so it has to go. I have to do the same thing you are doing after I finish decorating our basement office and organizing a room for sewing and crafts. Lots and lots of boxes will go up those stairs and I will think of you when I get started.

Thank -you :)

Some advice from someone without out lots of will power, lol. Once you have it in the to go box do not look at it again, tape the box shut, and put it in your vehicle. If you have items your unsure of get a second opinion, my teenage sons are ruthless. I have been working on a whole house purge so I know how overwhelming it can seem. Set daily goals such as number of boxes filled or smaller area done so you can feel a sense of accomplishment. This will go along way to keep you motivated.

Thank-you :)

Thank-you :)

call a company that will help you with that task