Basement cleanouts typically occur when a homeowner can no longer easily locate items. To make the process of cleaning out your basement easier, follow our six step basement cleaning checklist:

1. Start one section at a time. Be thorough and take your time. Rushing through will only amount to more work later on.
2. Be realistic with your time. Cleaning out a basement may take a few hours or it could take an entire weekend. Avoid self-imposed deadlines and do the job right the first time.
3. Separate items into four piles. Go through each item and organize it into either the junk pile, the keep pile, the sell/donate pile, or the relocate pile. Each pile serves a purpose to help you stay organized throughout your cleanout. The relocate pile is for items that you still want, but need to move to a more suitable room.
4. If the items haven’t been used in two years, toss them. This is an easy rule to follow when trying to decide if an item should stay or go. 
5. Reorganize the items you are keeping. Save time during your next basement clean up by using space-saving storage ideas like dividers, shelves, and organizers to keep things neat.
6. Wipe, wash, vacuum, and dust. When you’ve finished organizing your items into the four piles, the next step of the basement cleanout is the actual cleaning. Start high and systematically dust, wash, and wipe, knocking everything to the ground to be vacuumed or mopped later. This includes baseboards, windowsills, and walls.