Women’s Independent Press

Dottie Coll
dottiecoll@msn.com
412-881-1111

Spring is the season of new beginnings. But it can be hard to appreciate if you’re stuck in the house trying to sift through the accumulation of winter clutter.

Fortunately there are some easy techniques to help get a jumpstart on spring cleaning. The following steps will help get the house organized and allow you to enjoy the new season, clutter-free.

“Before you start, make sure you have proper supplies handy,” suggests Dottie Coll, President of the Pittsburgh TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® location. “Get sturdy cardboard boxes or plastic bins before sorting your belongings and avoid using produce boxes from the grocery store — they may contain bugs. For extra convenience, shop online to get packing supplies delivered to your door or stop by one of our locations.

The moving experts at TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® recommend the following tips to get organized this spring:
• Start by sorting and organizing closets. If there is limited closet space, consider storing winter clothing in the attic, basement or garage. Wardrobe boxes offer excellent space for hanging coats, sweaters and snow pants.
• Sort out items no longer used or worn. If it hasn’t been worn in more than a year, then it probably won’t be again. Set aside a couple empty boxes for donations or items to sell.
• Use sturdy boxes with dividers for packing breakables. Make sure cardboard boxes are structurally sound. Dish-pack boxes with adjustable inserts that form individual cells are a great option for fragile items.
• Once closets are organized, do the same in other storage areas like the attic or garage.
• Think green. Survey local recycling options to find the most convenient solution for recyclables. Many cities offer curbside pick-up or “sort and drop” depots. Visit Earth911.com for a list of local venues where all types of recyclable materials can be disposed of. Organize recyclables by category: plastic, glass, aluminum, paper, cardboard, etc.
• Care for hazardous materials. Be conscientious about the materials being disposed. Toxic items such as paint, batteries, house cleaning products, automobile oils, pesticides, and fertilizers are dangerous to transport and should not be thrown away with nontoxic garbage. These items should be taken to specialized depots.
• Concentrate on disinfecting spaces. Change air filters, rotate mattresses and vacuum under furniture.

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is the largest franchised moving company in North America. It includes more than 200 locations and more than 1,400 trucks on the road. Each location is independently owned and operated, and sells boxes and packing supplies. Locations complete both home and business moves, as well as packing and unpacking services.

For more information, call) TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® at 412.881.1111 or 412.259.8777 or visit www.twomenandatruck.com.