You may not think about the need to declutter your bookshelf until you realize you ran out of room for books. At this point, your bookshelf can turn into a cluttered mess, where it’s impossible to find those books you want to read. Worse, stacks of books will pop up in a variety of places in your home and take up too much space. When this happens, it’s time to declutter; however, the question arises which books to keep and which books to donate.
Deciding Which Books to Donate
Many of us keep books for years. Some books represent treasured memories, some have sentimental value, and others are enjoyable to reread. Unfortunately, we also keep books that simply take up space. When you begin to declutter, remove all books from areas such as side tables, closets, nightstands, and anywhere else that has become a storage place for your book collection.
Consider which ones you tried and never finished. Ask yourself if you plan on reading this book or if it wasn’t a good fit for you. If you’ve tried reading a book at least a few times and didn’t enjoy it, it’s time to donate it.
Getting rid of unwanted books.
Books are unique in that just because you may have no interest or need in a particular book, it doesn’t mean someone else won’t see its value. So, as you compile the books, you wish to get rid of, consider donating to your local library. With COVID-19, many libraries might be restricted as to what they will accept from people, so contact them to find out if they are accepting donations. Many Goodwill stores are open around the country so that you can donate many of your books there.
Keeping your bookshelf clean.
Once you have decided which books to keep, and you have arranged them in your bookshelf, it’s important to also take good care of your books to protect them from damage. Make sure you keep them out of any direct sunlight. UV rays can increase fading and warping. Position your bookshelf so it doesn’t have any direct sun, or add curtains or blinds to your windows to block the rays. You will also want to limit the moisture in your home because humidity can cause pages to stick together and encourage mildew. Lastly, make sure you dust your books regularly with a soft duster.
It can be a complicated process to declutter your bookshelf. But by donating the books you don’t want to read, you are also making room for new books. Not to mention, it’s essential to take care of the books you do want, so you can ensure you have them for years to come. Contact Bellos Cleaning for more information about our cleaning services.
