Hoarders Basement Tour & The Big Purge

Do you feel overwhelmed by clutter? Don’t fret because I am here to tell you that you are definitely not alone. Today, I’m going to completely humiliate myself by letting you peek inside the cluttered underbelly of my house and I’ll take you on my video hoarders basement tour purge! I’m exposing my basement shame for the world to see so I can hold myself accountable in reaching my goal which is world basement domination … otherwise known as clean and clutter free!

Studies show that clutter has negative effects on our mental and physical health and can leave us feeling anxious, stressed, or even depressed. I have been feeling completely overwhelmed with the amount of stuff I have and it’s time for a big change.

Take a Video Tour of My Basement Below (don’t judge)!

According to the National Association of Professional Organizers …

  • 80% of what we keep, we never use.
  • Getting rid of clutter eliminates 40% of housework in the average home.
  • The average American burns 55 minutes a day – roughly 12 days a year – looking for things they know they own but cannot find.
  • 50% of homeowners rate the garage as the most disorganized place in the house.
  • We wear 20% of the clothes we own 80% of the time. The rest just hangs there, just in case.
  • 80% of the clutter in most homes is a result of disorganization, not lack of space.
  • The average American spends one year of their life looking for lost or misplaced items at home and in the office.

I’ve cleaned out my basement before but like the hair on my chin, the clutter has come back with a vengeance! This time, I’m taking no prisoners and will ruthlessly weed out the things I don’t need, don’t use, don’t care about and that aren’t sparking joy!

Don’t let that smile fool you – he’s crying on the inside

Don't miss this video tour of this cluttered basement before and purging tips kellyelko.com #organize #organization #basement #purge

Decluttering Plan of Attack

Now I know how archaeologist Indiana Jones felt as he traversed his way through a maze of preying tarantulas, booby-traps, and collapsing caves, in his quest for the lost Ark of the Covenant!

My hubby and I fought our way through the underbelly of our home for two solid days and lived to tell the tale. My plan of attack …

  • Toss the trash (we filled up an entire carload and hauled it to the dump and have a second carload ready to go)
  • Post things of value for sale on Facebook Marketplace (I sold one thing within an hour of posting and counted a total of 14 pillows that will be soon be making an appearance on a thrift shop shelf)
  • Donate the rest (I like donating to the Vietnam Vets and the bonus is they pickup).

Overwhelmed by Clutter? Click here to read My 10 Tips to Clutter Free

I had to give myself some tough love and vowed that if whatever didn’t sell by the time the donation truck rolls up to my house, it gets donated.

We have a long way to go and will be spending much more quality time in our basement. Once the purge is complete, I can’t wait to organize everything so I can actually find what I need, when I need it. A girl needs a dream after all.

Purging and organizing tips kellyelko.com #purge #organize #organization #donate

No gnomes were harmed in this process of this purge and I made sure to move him before the donation truck pulled up.

In exchange for purging all the things that are weighing me down, I hope to be rewarded with a clean, clutter free, easy to navigate basement. The thought of being able to find exactly what I’m looking for is such an exhilarating thought!

I will keep you posted on my progress but I hope to complete this daunting task over the next few weeks.

If you are in the same cluttered boat, leave a comment so we can cheer each other on!

10 Tips to Clutter Free

Decluttering Tips for an Organized Home kellyelko.com #declutter #organize #organization #organizing #purge #tipsandtricks #cleaning #cleanhouse #cleaningtips

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59 Comments

  1. Its amazing how much stuff we accumulate! I’ve done my basement purge twice, the first time I found 50 cans of paint, whew….embarrsed to say. Anyhow, good luck it feels wonderful as you know to get rid of unwarranted stuff! Good job! Heading back home to do early spring cleaning!

    1. I need to do this so I can find the 2 cans of paint I bought for my living room – I actually had to go rebuy paint when I was prepped and ready to roll. Still haven’t found it three years later. 🤦🏻‍♀️

  2. Thanks for sharing your basement purge, You have inspired me to kick my clutter to the curb, going to try 40 bags in 40 days!

  3. Oh how you inspire me. I too am doing the exact same thing. I’m pretty sure I have spent more time being weighed down with guilt and shame than just changing my attitude and diving in. We all need encouraging in a daunting task. You go girl, I’m right here with you!

  4. Fellow hoarder here! Are you sure you weren’t videoing our garage? I’ve been whittling away at my hoard for a while but still have a lot to get rid of. Kudos to you for doing this as a team. I see a nice wine rack in there and would definitely be raiding that during the purge. A little wine makes saying goodbye to excess clutter so much easier, lol.

  5. Oh my-our garage is a huge embarrassment!!! My goal is get everything out,go through it,PURGE and find a place for what we keep.AND get all things out of the pull down attic area,an area noone needs to venture(unsafe)
    Thanks for the inspo!!

  6. You are inspiring me! This has been on my to do list for a couple of months and I’ve yet to begin! I have such trouble with “what if” I want it later??

  7. Here’s the deal that makes parting with our stuff so hard: it’s not “junk”. Not the stuff you see in so many thrift stores/garage sales — tons of plastic flowers, cheap figurines, etc. Your stuff, and mine, was not cheap, we paid a nice price for our things, and I even travelled Europe extensively shopping all the way! I am talking rocking horses from England, Wedgewood, Blue Willow, exquisite Dresden Angels, etc. – These treasures are of little use to me now – but parting is still hard on my ego. But purge I must and I feel better knowing you are going through the same thing.

    1. I get it Mary! But even though I have good stuff, if it’s buried in the basement, what good is it doing me? I would rather part with it and feel good and free! Purging is hard – I hope you can keep on keeping on!

  8. I so needed this Kelly. I get so mad at myself because I legit save everything. You have inspired me to do some decluttering. Those statistics really scared me and put it into a good perspective. Thank you so much! We got this! 😉

  9. Oh my goodness! THANK YOU! My basement looks the same – it’s so overwhelming that I don’t know where to start! But I feel somewhat ‘normal’ now knowing that there are other wonderful people out there with the same issues 😉 Thanks for the motivation!

  10. I did a lot of that last year but i could still rid myself of a few more things out in my garage. Lots of work but, felt so good. I give my stuff to the VVA also. Just play some good music and get to work but, have a little bit of fun!!!

  11. You TOTALLY MADE MY DAY!!!
    My basement is probably worse than yours (my husband calls me “the stacker”), but you’ve given me hope!
    Problem is all of my junk brings me joy!
    Thanks for sharing!!!

  12. I have saved a ton of things under my house and garage. I feel overwhelmed just thinking about going through it all.
    I know it would feel amazing to have it cleaned out.
    Thank you for your inspiration

  13. OMG, this is just like our garage! I was feeling pretty good because I cleaned out a mere 3 shelves, with too many more to count. Your goals are an inspiration to keep going on mine!! Thank you!

  14. Oh…this so hits home!!! I have a three car garage that can not hold a vehicle…My husband is a builder so all the excess stuff comes back here, plus my grown childrens crap, and elder parents crap, not to mention my own crap!! There is not enough wine in your basement to help me deal with all this …babysteps…

  15. Yes, that is my goal this spring as well. I can feel the clutter overwhelming me and keeping me trapped. Thank you for sharing. That was very brave of you and yes, it has motivated me! I will look forward to you progress.

  16. My basement looked just like that. Then we decided to convert 3/4 of basement to living space. (Purge #1). Feeling good. Then we decided to move south where there are no basements. (Purge #2). Feeling real good! Now I have a slight mess in my attic but I never have to see it except on holidays!

      1. I feel your pain. I do not have a basement. wish I did. BUT I feel bad because I spotted alot of lovely treasures. can’t wait to see part two.

        Angela
        a fan and follower from NJ, down the shore

  17. I was working in our basement today…which btw, looks very similar to your “before” video. It’s so time consuming and definitely tough to let some things go, but I always feel better after purging! I need the kids gone for a few days straight to be really productive though! You’ve given me another bout of motivation! Thank you! Great job and keep going!

  18. I have lived in my house 34 years and am moving. I have laid eyes on things out of the very back depths of the kitchen cupboard that were obviously NOT used , needed or wanted……….. out they went ! Next house will have drawers and not cupboards so stuff will have a harder time “hiding ” ……. ha ha. I am still working on the purge , too. It does feel quite liberating to see some things head on down the road. Good job !

  19. Good for you! Once it starts it just can get out of hand so easy.
    The emotional attachments have been in my way due to family losses yet I am in the process of doing the same thing. It will take me months due to my back condition that is causing more pain. I am not giving up though because it has caused such stress for too long. Until I moved into this house I never hoarded in any way. Parent caregiving and closing out two estates took its toll. I will get back to my beautiful surrounding again and look forward to seeing you reach your goals too.

    1. You can do it Christine! I had back surgery 8 months ago and was not able to do much for the longest time. I’m taking things slow and steady and it’s looking so much better already! Good luck in reaching your goal!

  20. Oh my goodness. My husband is a massive hoarder! Your basement is nothing compared to our basement and garage. We have been trying to get to going thru our cave of clutter. But with 2 small children it’s hard to find the time. Good luck with the purge.

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