Feeling overwhelmed with your “stuff” and looking for ways to throw “things” away? Follow the tips below in de-cluttering from The Cleaning Authority.

Sort it out

Begin by sorting, room by room, into the following piles: keep, donate, sell, trash, and recycle. (Label a box or laundry basket for each category.) Focus on the end result and go with your gut when deciding what to do with an item.

Get rid of it!

Purge items in the recycle and trash piles so they no longer take up space in your home. Consumers spend one year of their lives looking for lost items, according to the National Association of Professional Organizers. Having more space in your home makes it easier to organize and find the things you keep.

Make a little cash.

List items for sale on Craigslist or eBay, or take them to a resale store. Give yourself a deadline to sell everything. Whatever has not sold by that date, donate.

Give back to the community.

Goodwill, Purple Heart, and Habitat for Humanity are just a few options to consider when donating your household goods. Not all items may be accepted, so check with your local charity if you are planning on donating furniture or any larger items. Many will send a truck if you call them to schedule a pickup.