Many people use the start of the new year as an opportunity to thoroughly clean and clear out their own four walls. But what’s the best way to go about it – and what to do with the discarded items?
A lot of things accumulate over the course of the year: magazines, books, clothes and maybe one or two unwanted gifts. Clothes, books, pieces of furniture, but also technical devices that are lying unused in cupboards, drawers and cluttered corners can now go and make room for something new. But: what to do with the old things?
Used items don’t always have to end up in the trash. At online flea markets like Ebay, items of clothing, used smartphones, children’s toys, etc. can still be turned into cash. This can be particularly worthwhile for private sellers, because on Ebay they do not pay any fees on items sold.
Private sellers should still keep one thing in mind when selling on Ebay, Vinted, Momox & Co.: Since last year, these platforms have had to report particularly active sellers to the tax office. This also applies to private individuals. Anyone who sells more than 30 items per year or generates income totaling 2,000 euros or more must pay taxes on them. However, anyone who only sells something now and then or stays below the stated limit is exempt from tax liability.
Create cleaning plan
Before starting the big cleaning, it is advisable to make a plan and provide all the necessary things. Should the entire apartment shine fresh and clean or should just individual rooms such as the kitchen, bathroom or living room be scrubbed and cleaned out? A good tip: start with rough work such as cleaning windows. To ensure that the work is completed quickly and thoroughly, the right equipment, such as a window vacuum, is essential.
Once the windows are clean, it’s time to do the finer work such as dusting. In addition to furniture and surfaces, door frames, lamps or technology such as the television or music system and the leaves of houseplants should not be forgotten. Only at the very end is it time to clean the floor with vacuuming and mopping.
For bathroom and kitchen: Use ecological cleaning products
There is also a lot to do in the bathroom and kitchen when cleaning your home for the first time. Wiping, sorting out old food, cleaning surfaces, cleaning the refrigerator and descaling are just a few of the tasks that need to be done. Since many surfaces in the kitchen come into contact with food, it is better not to use chemical or highly caustic cleaning agents. Better: Use natural home remedies such as vinegar, baking soda or citric acid. They can also deal with stubborn dirt such as burnt-in items in the oven or limescale stains.
If you prefer ready-made cleaners, you can find ecological alternatives online or in drugstores. Incidentally, irritating cleaning products should also be avoided in the bathroom. In addition to scrubbing the tub, shower, toilet and mirror, cleaning the apartment is also a good opportunity to look through cosmetics and creams in the bathroom for expired products and dispose of them.
Cleaning your apartment: Don’t do too much at once
If you want to clean, scrub and sort things out now, you shouldn’t take on too much at once. Cleaning the entire apartment in one weekend can quickly become overwhelming and cause you to lose interest. It’s better to go step by step and take your time. As soon as the first drawer is cleared out or the bookshelf is freed from dust, the motivation to continue increases and the rest almost takes care of itself.
Source: Stern
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
