Atlanta news outlets and the Self Storage Association are reminding residents of the importance of cleaning your home after the holidays.

Since the holidays bring new gifts and home appliances, it is important to eliminate clutter and get rid of any old items that you now have replaced with a new one, of go through all of your old clothes in order to hang up your new ones.

Cutting down on home clutter can help save you money, and here’s how: the majority of Americans will not get rid of items that they feel they may use again someday, so they put it in storage. If you figure out the total cost that storing unused belongings will cost you, you will find that the total cost of storage is more expensive than getting rid of the items and buying a new one if you decide to finally use that record-player 5 years from now.

Rule of thumb for cleaning your home from clutter after the holidays: if you have not used something within the past year, chances are you will not be using it anytime soon.

Tips when purchasing new items with your holiday gift cards:

• If it is clothing: will the new item replace an old item or is it just going to be an addition? How often will you wear the new item? Is it an item that you see yourself getting good use out of and keeping? Is it worth the money?

• When it comes to technology: Are you replacing an old television or buying a new one for a room that does not have one? Is there a newer version that you should wait for?

If you are planning on moving during 2015, go through all of your belongings and decide what you really need and use frequently. Consider selling or donating anything that you have not used in over a year. Atlanta moving company All My Sons can help package, store, and move your belongings, but the less belongings you have to move and store, the less expensive moving will be.