More than 76 percent of Americans reported they engage in spring cleaning every year, according to a survey from the American Cleaning Institute.
Yet, clutter is a significant issue for the majority of Americans. This may be due to the fact that spaces that tend to get the most attention are bathrooms and kitchens. It makes sense – these are rooms people have high expectations for cleanliness.
Meanwhile, bedrooms, living rooms and garages get the least attention. And these are areas that can rapidly build up with clutter, whether it be clothing, children’s toys, sports equipment or a long list of other items.
Here’s why clearing out unused or outgrown items can be good for consumers’ emotional and mental health – and can help put money back in their pockets.
How Clutter Can Cause Stress
As opposed to a dirty sink or a ring around a tub, clutter may not always be front and center. However, it can have numerous negative consequences on people’s mental and emotional health. For example, an article for Psychology Today found that clutter can:
- Overload people with excessive stimuli
- Distract attention away from more important things
- Make it difficult to relax
- Negatively impact productivity and creativity
- Create a sense of a never-ending to-do list
So, it’s not surprising that two-thirds of Americans reported a dirty home causes stress or anxiety.
How Homes Become Cluttered
Understanding the detrimental effects of clutter, the next step is determining is how people’s homes become cluttered in the first place.
One of the most common sources of clutter is recreational shopping, and within that category, clothes shopping tends to overcrowd people’s closets.
The average family spends more than $1,800 on clothing every year, which varies based on the number and age of their children. Children’s clothing is relatively inexpensive compared to adult apparel; however, the volume of clothes can rapidly expand when parents are shopping for their kids.
Meanwhile, the average American female consumer has between $1,000 and $2,500 worth of clothing in their closets and dressers. Yet, half of them said they don’t wear 25 percent of their wardrobe. This not only creates a significant build-up of apparel-based clutter but also puts a sizable dent in their wallets.
In addition to clothing, families also spend a substantial amount of money on toys. In fact, the average American child gets more than $6,500 worth of toys between ages 2-12. Between action figures, dolls, playsets, toy cars, building blocks and a whole host of other items, toys are a common source of clutter in households across the country.
Finally, garages represent another source of spillover in many homes. Roughly 75 percent of garages in the U.S are too crammed full of items to fit a car. Many consumers use this space to hold sporting goods, big-ticket purchases and items meant to support a hobby.
Fortunately, there is a solution for clutter-related problems that countless American consumers face.
How Resale Franchises Can Solve Clutter Issues
Resale franchises, including Once Upon A Child®, Style Encore®, Plato’s Closet®, Play It Again Sports® and Music Go Round®, are each tailored to provide a solution for unique customer wants and needs – whether it be musical instruments, sports equipment or clothing for children, teens and adults.
Not only do these stores pay cash for gently used items, but they are also a great place to find any necessary items at a fraction of the regular retail price and declutter a home without contributing to wasteful practices like landfills or incinerators.
For example, when a family member outgrows an item and needs an upgrade, trading in the old equipment or clothing for a replacement is a great way to earn some extra money, get a great deal, avoid the buildup of clutter and reduce the amount of textile waste in the environment.
Once consumers identify the items they’d like to bring in, resale stores make it simple to exchange goods that meet the brand’s quality standards for cash on the spot. It’s this type of business model that makes resale stores such a durable investment.
Are you ready to become part of the rapidly growing resale franchise industry and help countless families relieve the burden of clutter in their homes? For over three decades, Winmark Corporation has been the premier name in resale/recycle retail franchising. Contact us today to learn more about the family of Winmark’s resale franchise opportunities.
