Step By Step Guide To Decluttering And Cleaning Your Basement

Basements are an essential part of your home, ideal for storing a wide range of items, including old furniture, seasonal decorations, empty boxes, and sports gear. It plays a pivotal role in keeping the rest of your home organised and clutter free. But, have you ever thought of resetting your storage jungle, the basement? Tackling the mess that has accumulated over the years can be challenging and time consuming. But fret no!

With proper planning, effective decluttering tactics and a cleaning checklist, you can easily transform your chaotic basement into an organised space. What’s the best part? Regular upkeep helps you prevent mould infestation, musty odours and allergy triggers. Here is a step by step guide to make basement decluttering and cleaning easy. Whether you’re conducting a spring cleaning session or undertaking a meticulous bond cleaning Ipswich, the basement needs the same level of care and attention to maintain a healthy and hygienic indoor environment. So, pull up your socks and give your best without feeling overwhelmed or stressed.

Let’s Get Started!

1. Categorise Items For Easy Decluttering

It is obvious to feel anxious when you see piles of clutter overcrowding your basement. It becomes difficult to decide where to begin and how. Worry not! Professionals typically begin by categorising items into different groups. This helps you navigate the process more efficiently and carefully without a hint of stress.

Start from any corner of the basement and go through the entire space step by step. Inspect and evaluate each belonging, categorising them into groups based on their usage and nature. For instance, keep all clothes together, be it seasonal or unused. Similarly, put all decorative items in a specific area and sports gear in another. This makes it easy to decide what to keep and what to toss.

Tip: Start the process at least eight weeks before the final rental inspection to avoid last minute chaos.

2. Create Piles for Trash, Donate, Recycle and Keep

In the next step, ruthlessly declutter and get rid of items you no longer need. This becomes even more essential when moving out of your rental properly. Remember that determining the fate of each item is under your control. So, take your time and separate items into four categories, including:

• Keep: This includes the items you want to keep in your basement. This includes seasonal decor, clothes, boxes, and other stuff you may need in different scenarios.
• Donate or Sell: Decide the fate of treasure troves that you no longer need but can bring joy to other’s lives. You can either donate pre loved items or sell it through a garage sale.
• Recycling: A basement tends to collect unwanted items that may affect the environment if not disposed of properly. This includes broken electronics, appliances, portals, plastic containers, and other similar items. You can drop these items off at the local recycling centre to help protect the precious planet.
• Toss the Trash: The fourth pile is dedicated to the trash that can easily be disposed of. Say goodbye to items that have no use in your life. This will help you make more space in your basement.

Tip: Empty your basement to access nooks and crannies for thorough cleaning easily.

3. Wipe Clean Ceilings, Shelves and Hard Surfaces

Once your basement is free of clutter, use this opportunity to clean every inch of the space meticulously. Start from the top and clean the ceilings, shelves and surfaces. You’ll need a microfibre cloth and an extendable handle to reach these spots. Ensure you pay special attention to shelves, furniture tops, light fixtures, fittings and other dust magnets. Using a damp cloth can help remove layers of dirt and debris from hard to reach surfaces. Don’t forget the sides and crannies of shelves, as allergens tend to collect there, causing indoor air pollution.

4. Remove Stains From Basement Walls

Over time, basement walls accumulate a thick layer of dust, pollen, grime and stubborn stains, making the space look dull and dingy. However, using strong cleaners or abrasive scrubbing may cause damage to your delicate wall finish. Therefore, use a gentle cleaning agent and soft tools to remove adhesive stains, grease, grime, and smudges.

Start from the top to remove dust and cobwebs from the surface using a microfibre duster. You can use mild dish soap, warm water and vinegar to wash your windows. For scrubbing, use a damp sponge and work in a circular motion. You can also hire for reliable bond cleaning Ipswich experts for the entire rental property. They can help you refund full bond money without any dispute.

5. Combat Mould and Mildew Stains

Identify the potential signs of mould and mildew infestation in your basement. This unwanted invader can cause structural damage, affect the indoor air environment and deteriorate your health. Since mould tends to grow in dark and humid areas, properly check the walls, crannies and storage units. Additionally, inspect for water damage issues and make any necessary repairs.

To treat mould spores, prepare a DIY cleaning agent with hydrogen peroxide. Spray the solution onto the pesky areas and leave it for a few minutes. Next, scrub the surface with a brush. Rinse and dry the walls to prevent further growth. You can also use baking soda to kill mould and mildew stains without causing any damage to the surface.

6. Sweep and Mop the Floors

Grab a microfibre broom or a HEPA filtered vacuum to eliminate dust, loose debris and grime from the floors. Cover nooks and crannies under heavy items to achieve spotless results.

Next, fill a bucket with a pH neutral cleaner and warm water and dampen a microfibre mop into the solution. Make sure you wring out excess solution and mop the floors from inch to inch. Professional bond cleaners Ipswich recommends a patch test before apply any cleaner on the floor to prevent further damage.

Tip: Here is the right way to clean wood floors without causing any damage

7. Re Organise your Basement

Once you’ve spruced up your basement, reset it by organising items in the most streamlined manner. Maximise the space by installing shelving units for vertical space. You can store bins, big boxes and other bulky items easily.

You can also use containers and bins to store items in an organised way. Labelling is another great way to organise items if you have piles in the room. Installing hooks on walls and doors can help you easily hand ladders and other items, freeing up floor space.

How to Declutter and Clean your Basement

Wrapping Up

Creating an organised, spotless and mould free basement becomes easy with this ultimate guide. You can categorise items for sorting, separate items into different piles and get rid of unwanted items. Moreover, regular dusting, wiping, sweeping and mopping can do wonders in keeping your basement sparkling clean all year round.