Life happens. And unfortunately, one of the realities of life is the loss of your parents and grandparents. It is a traumatic time filled with many decisions…including “what do we do with grandma’s stuff?” At 123JUNK, we’re here to help make at least that decision easier.
We understand, and are sympathetic to, the emotions that go along with the loss of a loved one, whether it be a parent, grandparent, or any other family member. It something nobody wants to go through, but it is an inevitability of life. That’s why we make sure that when you call, you speak to someone in person…every time. We don’t believe your call should go through an automated answering service.
Emotions not only surround the loss of the person, they emerge again when it’s time to deal with their belongings. And after a lifetime of raising a family, a house can be filled. Having a good way to clean out grandma’s stuff is essential. Here are some tips that can help you navigate that process.
7 Tips for Clearing out Grandma’s Stuff
Look for Legal and Financial Documents
Find and preserve any papers or documents that relate to legal, financial or insurance matters. Look in filing cabinets, the office, drawers, and even hidden places. Put these in a safe place where they won’t get tossed out.
Preserve Photographs and Memorabilia
Photographs and items with special memories can’t be replaced. Pack these items up separately and remove them from the sorting areas. Keep them for yourself, or divide these items up among family members as cherished keepsakes. If you no longer want to keep the memorabilia later, you can always take digital photographs and donate the items.
Ask for Help
Going through grandma’s stuff on your own is a huge and stressful tasks. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from family and friends. They’re probably looking for ways to help you navigate through the grief and will be glad to lend a hand. Assign them limited-time shifts to prevent burnout, and remember to take it easy yourself. Emotions will be on high alert.
Sort into Piles
Create a sorting system, and place items into piles marked “Keep,” “Donate,” “Sell,” and “Toss.” For larger items like furniture, use color-coded tags. If items are designated for specific family members, attach a name tag to them and place them aside.
Related: 21 Useful Tips for Cleaning Out Your Elderly Parent’s House
Go Through Everything
People tend to hide valuables in safe spaces, so as you are sorting, open every drawer and box, and check through clothing pockets. Be careful not to get bogged down or stalled in the memories. Keep to the task of sorting and clearing out. You can always set items or boxes aside and go through them later if you need to. A professional organizer can assist you with the overwhelming task of going through everything while keeping on task.
Get Appraisals
If grandma’s stuff includes high-value items like jewelry or artwork that you’d like to sell, hire an appraiser to give you an estimate of its value.
Contact 123JUNK to Donate, Recycle or Dispose of Grandma’s Stuff
From your first call to 123JUNK, you’ll notice is our exemplary customer service. Since everyone’s stuff has memories attached—including grandma’s stuff—we make it a point to treat you and your loved one’s belongings with the utmost courtesy and respect. We’ll listen to what you need and provide you with an easy-to-manage all-inclusive price quote.
You’ll love our 1-2-3 Process of Donate-Recycle-Dispose. We’ll take items that can be reused or repurposed and donate them to our charity partners, who will use them for families in need or sell them to raise money for their causes. We’ll separate out items that can be recycled, like papers, magazines, electronics, and metals, and deliver those to the area recycling station. And since it’s our mission to keep as much out of landfills as possible, we’ll take only what’s left over to the dump.
If you’ve taken the time to sort into “donate” and “toss” piles, simply point us to them. But don’t worry if you haven’t. Our team members are well-trained in sorting items on the spot. Our job is to remove as much stress as possible out of the job of clearing out grandma’s stuff.
When you need to clear out a home in Northern Virginia, Maryland or Washington DC that is filled with a lifetime of memories, contact 123JUNK.
