1.6.17 11

Cleaning House and Giving Back

I always thought when people talked about “nesting” before they had a baby they were exaggerating. I didn’t think all of the sudden I would have the urge to clean and organize all the things! Then a couple of weeks ago it started. All of the sudden the fridge had to be cleaned out. I had to wipe down every single shelf and surface in it and throw out food. It didn’t stop there. I just felt like cleaning house needed to happen. But I didn’t just want to clean things. I wanted to simplify and get rid of clutter. I decided this would be a great time for cleaning house and giving back. I wanted to go through the house and get rid of anything we didn’t use, want, or need and donate it. Here is how I did it.

Cleaning House and Giving Back

Get tools together: Whenever it’s time to clean out a closet or a cabinet I am always struggling to find things to put items in. That’s where Glad came in. The Glad Products Company recognized the role its products play in giving around the country, and they’re proud to lend a hand in an even bigger way with Glad to Give. I used the Glad Force Flex yellow trash bags which were great for holding basically everything we wanted to donate. Having the right tools to help you is key! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve started cleaning out closets and realized I didn’t have anything to put stuff in. Glad bags are super sturdy, they hold a ton, and they don’t rip!

Go room by room: It can seem a bit overwhelming to git rid of things and organize so I try to just take it one room at a time. I started in our joint office which is also where I keep all items sent to me for blogging purposes. It really piles up over time. I get sent a lot of makeup and beauty products and they aren’t always things I can use or will use. Depending on what’s in them because I have super sensitive skin. I am also very pale so some colors just won’t work on me. I decided to donate all the excess products I either can’t or won’t ever use, as well as products I had doubles of. I had a surprising amount of doubles and felt like there were women out there who needed them far more than I did.


I next moved onto our linen closet which had SO MANY towels, sheets, bedding, etc we really don’t need. I needed to free up a few shelves for baby boy, so this was a great time.

Pick and choose: What I mean by this is pick and choose where to donate. I decided on the Genesis Women’s Shelter. It’s a shelter that helps women and children in abusive situations start their lives over. Knowing that these products would be able to help these women made me so unbelievably happy. Whatever place you choose just make sure it’s a cause you believe in. I am sharing this because Glad believes that sharing stories of what people are doing every day to help their communities, inspires others to get involved.

Through the unique voices of celebrity philanthropists Tyrese Gibson, Ayesha Curry, and Kid President, the Glad to Give program looks to inspire acts of giving ahead of the holiday season and asks everyone to share what they are glad to give to inspire similar actions from others. Would you give the shirt off your back, the food off your plate? Visit GladtoGive.com to see real stories from celebrities and everyday people who are doing just that. You can find out how to help and share your giving story too. Glad is also making giving SO MUCH easier. Visit GladtoGive.com to schedule a free pick-up through Donation Town to a local charity of your choice.

What do you do to give back? Do you donate items from around your house?

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Glad Products Company . The opinions and text are all mine.

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11 Comments

  1. What a great benefit of pregnancy! I never knew it would motivate you to clean. What a win-win situation, you can donate the old items too.

    Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
    http://charmainenyw.com

    Published 1.6.17
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  2. It’s a win-win! You get a de-cluttered house and then items are donated to people in need. I love it. I did this when we first moved back in June. It felt good to get rid of some things and know that they were going to a place that would be able to love them a little more!

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  3. Jackie wrote:

    I have two huge trash bags full of stuff to donate! It’s so great to go through things and purge. Feels good to start the New Year off this way!

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  4. Chelsea wrote:

    I’m doing a clothing donation right now! It feels so good to de-clutter.

    Published 1.6.17
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  5. I’m a crazy organizer and I’m not pregnant. Will be interesting to see what happens when I am! And yes, I usually give away everything to either my sisters, my friends, or a donation center.

    Published 1.6.17
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  6. Mistle wrote:

    Love this Neely!!! I try to clean out my closets,etc every few months to donate items I will/no longer use. It’s not only a great way to give back, but it’s also helpful in decluttering.

    Published 1.6.17
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  7. Jessy wrote:

    Such a great feeling to organize and declutter! I sorted through my beauty products last week and I feel so much more organized! Have a great weekend!

    xo, Jessy | http://www.currentbliss.com

    Published 1.6.17
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  8. This is so inspiring…thanks for motivating me today!! xoxo

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  9. Trish wrote:

    Thanks for posting about the Glad to Give program. It is wonderful that they offer free pickups! that makes donating so much easier.

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  10. I’m completely with you on this! I will often go through my personal belongings and donate to charity. It feels good twice! 🙂

    Published 1.7.17
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  11. I do this every 6 months. I can’t stand having things that we no longer need.

    Published 1.8.17
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