How to Get Rid of Clutter in your Home

I come from a family of certified pack-rats.

We had several junk drawers and even a whole junk room in my house when I was a kid!

Before my Mom reads this and gets mad, I should mention that my parents were hard working, frugal and their free-time was short.

So the vacuum cleaner that worked perfectly well except for the busted wheel would not be thrown away or fixed, but added to the growing pile of junk hidden behind closed doors…

So don’t feel bad if you have a monstrous pile of junk looking at you right now.

We’ve all been there (some more than others), but as one that has been there and that must be constantly vigilant to temptation and backsliding herself…

I’ll share my organizing and cleaning secrets to help you get rid of all that clutter.

Of course, cleaning up clutter takes time and it can be hard work. But stick with it and don’t get discouraged and tackle each item one by one.

Are you ready to clean up your clutter? Let’s get busy and organize it!

Make a Plan

Decluttering is much easier if you divide the job into sections and address each area separately and on its own. You’ll be more organized and each section will be completed more quickly. This helps to make some quick wins that will help to keep you motivated too.

Decide what area you will be tackling (drawers, cabinets, closet, or an entire room), and then take a few minutes to think about how you are going to go about cleaning it all up.

Do you need everyone in the house to leave you alone for the day, or do you need helpers to pitch in to get the job done? If you only have 2 hours free, don’t start a job that can’t be completed in less than 4.

Figure out how you work best and make the plans necessary to execute your plan. It can make a huge difference in how easy the job ultimately is.

Set a Date and a Time

Decide exactly when you are going to tackle the job and pencil it into your calendar or put a big note on the refrigerator. Otherwise other things can get in the way and prevent you from doing the job.

It’s important to stay on task and avoid becoming sidetracked as you get started going through the clutter. (I have to be careful and not get sidetracked too.)

Give yourself a realistic deadline for completion: an afternoon, a day, a weekend, a whole week. Then keep your time in mind and stick to it as you go through your belongings.

Gather your Supplies

Be sure to gather your cleaning and organizing supplies before you begin so you can stay focused on the job at hand!

This is worth mentioning to unorganized folks to make sure they have everything they need on hand and planned out in advance.

Nothing can stop a job faster than heading off to another part of the house looking for boxes, packing material, markers, trash bags, cleaning supplies, etc.

A job that can’t be completed will likely remain 1/2 finished until the messy piles grow back into their original size.

Decluttering Groups

It might take more than one pass to go through a large number of items, so the goal is to quickly identify most of the trash and put things into general groupings to free up space.

When you’re going through your things, be sure to look at them honestly as you evaluate them. Don’t get all sentimental. Be prepared and bring in some garbage bags for the trash and either make piles or use boxes for the items you will be keeping or donating.

Trash it

If something you come across hasn’t been seen in a long time; something you had completely forgotten about or didn’t even know you had or if it’s in need of repair, it may not be worth the time, effort, or money to keep or fix.

Do you have boxes of hair dye hanging out in the bathroom, a hair dryer that hasn’t worked in ages or damaged clothing? Throw these in the trash and take back some of the space.

Do you have boxes and bags of staples outdated rice, pancake mixes, an open sack of flour from five years ago? Oh boy, throw those away. While you are at it (and in the refrigerator, I presume) check the expiration dates of all your condiments and sauces too. If you can’t remember when you last had it, toss it.

Recycle it

Are you hanging on to old magazines, newspapers or other paper clutter? Maybe something like a home decorating magazine with an idea you want to try?

Be truthful now.

How many times did you think to get online first to look up a recipe or decorating idea before you picked up one of those magazines?

If this is the case, magazines and newspapers can be recycled and open up a ton of free space in a room.

Fix it

If the item in need of repair is valuable, then get it fixed and use it, sell it, or donate it. But don’t hang on to it if you honestly think it will just end up being stored for the next umpteen years.

Donate it

We are still being honest with ourselves for this part of the decluttering process although it is a little easier than deciding what is trash.

When you go through your shoes, clothes closet and drawers use a critical eye and try things on before making a final decision. If something doesn’t fit and is still in good condition, donate it.

Keep it

Before you decide to keep an item, think about where you want to put it.

If you can’t immediately think of a proper place to put it, maybe you don’t want it as much as you thought and you should donate it or give it away, ask yourself one more time whether you really need it.

When you have finished going through a room put things in your “keep” pile where they belong.

Avoiding Common Decluttering Pitfalls

If you are a clutter bug the odds are good that getting rid of your stuff isn’t going to be an easy task. You are going to find plenty of reasons not to throw something out or even give it away.

Here are just some of the pitfalls you will have to fight in order to reign in the chaos:

It cost a lot of money

Sure, all of those purses cluttering your closet probably cost a bundle, but what is the true cost of keeping them?

If their cost is keeping you from giving them away, try selling them through a local consignment shop or put them in your next garage sale.

Not only will you free up some space in your closet, you just might make a few extra bucks.

Someone gave it to me

Gifts are wonderful, but sometimes we simply do not need those particular items. Re-gift the item if possible. You’ll save money and reduce clutter all in one.

When you receive something you don’t want, don’t like or can’t use, either re-gift it to someone else who may enjoy it, donate it to someone who needs it, or consign it and get some cash to buy what you really want or need.

My kids made it

Keeping those special items your kids made is perfectly fine. But resist keeping it all. One good way to reduce the clutter of homemade art without throwing it away is to convert the artwork to a digital form. Just by taking a picture of the item and saving it in a digital form, means you’ll have it forever in a much smaller size.

Try limiting mementos to one medium sized box. That way you can enjoy your keepsakes from time to time without being overwhelmed. The rest can go.

I might need it (someday…)

Heck, we might need everything someday. That doesn’t mean we should hold onto everything until then.

Sometimes your clutter is just a part of something you might need. Disassemble the item to get to the part you want, and dispose of the rest.

An example going back to the vacuums with the busted wheels in our junk room (we had 3-4 in there). If wheels are the problems, then take the wheels off the the old ones and store them if you need them.

There’s no reason to keep an entire broken vacuum if you just need a few parts. Keep what you know you’ll need within the year and ditch the rest.

Great Job! It feels great to get rid of clutter and now it’s time for a little reward.

Two of my favorites are indulging in a hot bubble bath or going out to dinner. Big or small, a reward can help to keep you moving forward in your quest to get rid of your piles of clutter.

Getting control of your clutter is never easy, but with these basic tips, it is doable. So, stop procrastinating and get working on getting your clutter under control.

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How to Remove Clutter from Your Home

Where do you start?

If you are being buried in your own clutter, than it may be time to do the impossible – get rid of it!

Most experts (and housewives too) agree that getting rid of clutter is essential if you have any prayer of getting the job done quickly and effectively.

It may be easier said than done to get rid of all the clutter in your home but in reality making the big move to purge can be devastating for some people.

That’s why it’s important to start with one small space; even if it is just a desk, drawer or a corner of a room.

Start with a space you can handle. This way you will be able to feel the satisfaction of accomplishment when you are finished and that should give you the confidence to tackle the next area.

So if you’re ready to clean up your messy house and make some sense of the chaos – keep reading! Soon you won’t feel like you’re drowning in “all that stuff”.

We’ll begin the process by sorting every item in the chosen area into one of three piles. Keep in mind – you only want to keep the things that make sense for your space.

Oh, did I forget to mention that there is no shopping allowed. We don’t need to buy anything new and unnecessary. First things first!

The First Pile – Garbage

Trash is really a good thing. You’re taking a step towards seeing what’s under it all. It’s amazing how often we find real garbage shoved in our closets, drawers and cabinets.

Start every purge by getting rid of the garbage first. This includes outdated food, empty boxes, leftover packaging, broken items, half empty cartons, torn clothes, ratty shoes, etc.

Be pleased with the amount of stuff you’re tossing out. You can even make a game out of it if you’re working with other family members.
See who throws away the most garbage. The winner is awarded with a prize or dinner out at a place of their choice.

The Second Pile – Give Away

Many people avoid getting rid of items because they may come in handy some day. Stop living for someday; it’s just cluttering your home. Instead, send those items off where they may be needed now.

Just because an item has no further use in your home doesn’t mean they are useless. Maybe someone else could use them. Let’s get real here, that jumbled up pile of unused kid’s toys isn’t doing anyone any good.

If you don’t have family or friends to pass things on to, think about taking them to a local charity, shelter or even the thrift store where those who need them can find them.

When deciding when to keep or give an item away, ask yourself these important questions:

• Has it been used in the last 12 months?
• Are there any plans to use it in the next 30 days?
• Would you buy it again?
• Does anyone even like it?
• Is it really worth the space to hang on to it?

Don’t hem or haw over any of these questions, think FAST!

The Third Pile – The Keepers

The keep pile is everything that does not go into the first two piles. Sometimes, this pile can be much larger than the garbage and giveaway piles combined – at least at first.

Remember though, a good purge means getting rid of at least 50 percent of the clutter – maybe even more! Don’t waste your time; be honest about everything you’re doing, especially the keep pile (which could ultimately be the hardest pile to go through).

Once you’ve tossed the garbage and sorted everything into the giveaway and keep piles, it’s time to go through the keep pile again – this time with the goal of cutting it in half.

Sound impossible? It doesn’t have to be. If you have others helping out with the process, don’t argue. Be respectful of what others have to say.

If you come up against an item and you’re having a hard time deciding what to do with it – don’t spend too much time on it. Set it aside and come back to it when you’re done with the rest.

When you come back to it and you’ve decided it’s too valuable to part with – be glad you have it.

Evaluate – Tips for Deciding What to Keep

Trying to decide what items you should (and need) to keep isn’t easy at all for some people. That’s why you should think about these things when making your decisions:

• If an item just sits around your house going unused, the odds are good it is not needed.
• Sure, there are some things you need only seasonally, and they are okay to keep, as long as you use them at least once or twice a year.
• Would you bring it into your home if given another chance? This can be a hard one to admit, but if there are items in your home that you wouldn’t buy again (for whatever reasons), then get rid of it – it has outgrown its usefulness.
• Do you even like it? Just because you loved that picture or those knick-knacks 10 years ago doesn’t mean you have to like them today.
• Tastes change and so do our personal styles. Get rid of everything you don’t simply adore.
• Is it in your way? Some items seem great when we bring them home, only for us to realize a short time later that they are in our way.
• If you are constantly moving something to get what you really want and need; or bumping into it, it has to go.
• Is it worth the extra money to haul if you were moving? This is a great tip for deciding whether to keep an item.
• Pretend you are moving to another state and every box is going to cost $25 to move. Would you still keep it, or send it on its way?
• Will you miss it if it suddenly disappears? Maybe an item isn’t practical, but you love it nonetheless. Keep it! But, if you find that you wouldn’t even miss an item should it suddenly disappear than why let it continue to clutter your home?

Putting Things Back

Now that you’ve purged the clutter and you’re feeling the excitement of your accomplishments – it’s time to put the things you’re keeping back in the room.

You can use baskets and other decorative containers where necessary and appropriate. Now that you’ve got one room clutter free and organized under your belt, you can move on to the next room.

Congratulations are in Order!

After you’ve cleared out the clutter and uncluttered your mind, look around and acknowledge the room you have, the things that matter most. I’m sure you are feeling much lighter in your surroundings.

Congratulate yourself and the others that have helped for doing a job well done.

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How to Organize Clutter

No matter what your personal style or preferences are, we all have clutter (to some degree or another) in rooms throughout the house and we all want to get rid of it.

Clutter is a nuisance, not just because you can’t find anything, it can also lead you to feel anxious and a little depressed.

I remember a time when I was younger that I lived amongst the clutter and chaos. I know firsthand how difficult it can be and how it makes you feel.

The thought of going through everything in the house and getting it organized can be a bit overwhelming.

Don’t think you’re alone, because you’re not! There are many families just like yourself who are weighed down by the clutter problem.

It’s time to stop. Instead of the clutter controlling you, it’s time for you to control the clutter! Improve your mood and lifestyle with these simple steps to help you get started and to conquer that mountain of clutter.

Start with one Room

The key to organizing your clutter is to begin with a single room and finish it to completion. This will help keep you motivated and it can be easier especially if you have a lot of clutter.

Once you commit to one room and finish it, you’ll get the much needed rush of pride and adrenaline that will encourage you to keep going.

One thing to keep in mind – don’t let interruptions happen. I mean take a potty break when needed but you have to stay on task. It’s so easy to get sidetracked a simple phone call can set you back.

This is the day you’re going to start kicking the clutter to the curb. You go girl!

To Keep or Not to Keep

The best way to sort through the items you are keeping or not keeping is to separate them.

As you’re going through the clutter make one pile for the things that will stay in the room and one pile for the items you will be getting rid of.

Your goal is to establish what you need and what you don’t. It’is important you don’t second guess yourself at this stage.

You may also need another pile for the things you find that belong somewhere else in the house. These can be dispersed at a later time when you’re cleaning out one of those rooms.

Before you start the sorting process, go to your local grocery store or craft store and get yourself some free boxes.

These are perfect for the things you won’t be keeping, it will make it so much easier to move the stuff when you’re done sorting through the clutter.

Give it Away, Throw it Away, or Sell It

For the clutter you’ve removed from a room you don’t need, want, or is damaged, decide what can be given to charity and what is garbage then take the appropriate action.

I have friends who have placed good furniture items at the end of their driveway with a “Free” sign and it’s gone by the end of the day.

If you want to try and recoup some money, there are online options for selling stuff or if the weather is nice, you can have a garage sale.

Everything Has a Place

When you have completed the sorting process it’s time to put things back and get everything organized.

Think about the types of items you’re keeping and organize them appropriately but don’t overdo it. Buy decorative baskets, purchase storage containers, wall shelves, or whatever is appropriate for the room you are organizing then start putting things back – in its proper place.

If you are going to be storing items in containers, label them all clearly enough so the rest of the family will know where to put things such as games, blankets, art supplies, etc.

Discuss with your family your ideas for keeping rooms clutter free. Now everyone is on the same page and keeping the house clutter free becomes a family affiar.

 Moving On

When you’ve finished with the first room, I’m sure you’re feeling pretty good about what you’ve done.

Now that you have completed it, you can move on to the next room and repeat the process.

With each room you clean and organize, this process will get easier and you will start to develop organizational skills you’ve come up with that best suits your family.

Once everything is organized and your clutter is at a manageable level, keeping things in their place will be much easier.

Follow the Six Month Rule

Hopefully you and your family have been able to keep your home clutter free.

For this process you need to walk through each room with small bins. With your bins in hand, start at one area of the room and assess everything that’s not nailed down.

The items you use daily will be easy to keep and the ones that you didn’t know you had will be easy to get rid of.

But what about the items in between? One easy rule of thumb is this – if you haven’t used it in six months, get rid of it. “But I just might need it someday!” you declare.

You may need a lot of things someday, but remember that what you definitely need right now is a clutter free home.

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Decluttering and Organizing your Home

The truth is that over time we can accumulate “stuff”.

Maybe you’re not a hoarder. Most of us aren’t…but there are a select few people, such as myself, that have quite a few things lying around, which can makes us look like borderline hoarders.

Some of our belongings have sentimental value; some are just interesting and some we just plain don’t know what to do with.

They are usually tucked away in “catch all” areas- bookshelves, cupboards and closets are the most messy and cluttered locations in a home because items are out of sight and out of mind.

Now, don’t get me wrong – of course there are things we should keep – but we can never find them because of all the clutter! You can’t throw out all of your bills and papers…but do they really need to be stacked in piles all around your house?

Decluttering doesn’t have to be intimidating and you don’t have to throw out Aunt Milly’s diamonds because they take up room in your jewelry box.

The key is to be objective, use common sense and take baby steps. After all, Rome wasn’t built in a day and your clutter didn’t magically appear overnight, either!

Your living space will feel much more open and inviting by using some of my helpful decluttering tips listed below.

Organizing Some of the Worst Areas

Do not get overwhelmed! Start in one room and then go from there.

Bookcases

Well, hold on now, bookcases are meant to hold stuff like books…right? Yes, they are, but have you ever taken a moment to think how many books are too many, and how many unused, non-sentimental items do you need?

I challenge you to critically evaluate the contents of your bookcases. The reason for this is that sometimes they are an easy place to put things that can’t go anywhere else, or you just don’t know what to do with it – whatever “it” is.

Unless you plan to read the book again, use it for reference, it’s an heirloom like the family Bible or it’s full of pictures of your kids – do you really need it?

If you don’t know what an item is or how it got there in the first place, toss it or give it away.

Can’t throw it out? Most libraries welcome book donations, as well as magazines. I bring my magazines to read at various appointments and like to leave them for the next patient to enjoy- just be sure to remove your name and address before leaving it in the office.

Cupboards

Cupboards have an uncanny resemblance to bookcases in that they hold quite a bit of miscellaneous stuff. This includes cupboards anywhere in your house.

• Bathroom cupboards are often a treasure trove of expired medicine bottles, old makeup, broken hair dryers, partially used toiletries and so on. Dispose of old medications properly and then throw the rest out.

• Kitchen cupboards are full of things that don’t get used. Do you have an entire cupboard of old mugs donning cheesy sayings? Or how about duplicate pots and pans (some that have never seen the light of day), mixed in with boxes upon boxes of expired Rice-A-Roni and stale crackers? Pack a box of usable items and take it to the Salvation Army. Toss expired food, as well as partially consumed food that has a questionable appearance, in the garbage.

Coat Closets

A closet can be a scary place – and not just because of the monsters your children think supposedly live in them. The scariest part just might be that you will never know what is lurking in your closet because it is stacked and packed full.

You definitely have too much “stuff” in your closet if:

• You dread opening the closet doors for fear of falling items,
• You have to pull everything out to find what you are looking for and then are left with a mess to pack up again,
• Or you know you have one “somewhere in there”, but can’t remember where you put it and don’t want to go on an all-out treasure to find it.

Save yourself time and energy by cleaning and organizing closets often. Disorganized closets have perfectly fine items in them that never get used because of all the junk they are buried under!

Bedroom Closets

Does your closet have clothing hanging in it that hasn’t fit you in years, you haven’t worn in a year, or is damaged and thrown on the pile of clothes in the corner?

If so, then there is a problem.

1. Start by trying on everything…and I mean everything. Now, just because it fits doesn’t mean you should keep it.

2. Take a look at yourself in each item of clothing and ask yourself “can I make an outfit with this?” or “will I realistically wear this to anything in the future?” If the answer is no, then put it in a separate pile.

3. Once you are done trying on your clothes, go through your “no” pile. Don’t lose your resolve! Those clothes are in the “no” pile for a reason. After all, do you need your old prom dress or that pair of shoes that were really expensive and cute, but one of the heels broke last year?

4. Donate what is still in good condition and throw out the clothes with no hope. Same goes for shoes and ties.

If you are hesitant because your closet is starting to look rather sparse after decluttering, just think of it this way- now there is more room for new clothes! 

Linen Closets

Sure, maybe you need a couple old towels to clean up unsightly messes and to dry your car after you’ve washed it, as well as a sheet to cover the back seat of your car for when you take the dog to the vet. What you don’t need is an entire shelf of single sheets when your bunk bed has been gone for years, or ten towels with holes in them.

Sometimes our linen closets serve as extra storage for bedspreads and blankets, some of which might be holey or have gone used because they have faded over time and you no longer like them.

If you hang on to any types of these things, it’s time to let them go.

Steps to Start De-cluttering

Grab some bags and boxes to start sorting through the items in your chosen location.

Label your sorting bins to suit your needs. Keep in mind that you can donate to organizations and get a tax break for your unwanted and unused items. You can also have a garage sale and make money on your dust collectors.

Whatever you do, your house will look cleaner and tidier and you save time cleaning.

Some label ideas to get you started are:

• Donation
• Recycle
• Keep
• Belongs Elsewhere
• Garage Sale
• Give Away
• School
• Garbage
• Etc.

Some things to remember while decluttering your home:

• As you get started, keep in mind that throwing things away is part of the decluttering process.
• If you’re having a hard time getting rid of things because they are still in good condition, donate them so someone who needs them can use them. The Salvation Army has thousands of donation drop off locations across the country. They accept a multitude of items ranging from clothing, food, books and even household items such as furniture.
• Be really decisive (picky!). You can do it! Once you’ve made the decision to get rid of something, don’t second guess yourself.
• As you sort through the items, put small items that you will be keeping in a glass jar or box so they won’t be scattered about and can be easily identified.
• As you come across misplaced things, put them back where they “really” belong. You might have to think hard to get kind of creative, but trust me, it’s worth it. As an example, my family has collected a few rocks from various vacation spots. They don’t belong tucked away in a drawer or closet. We put them in our garden so we can reminisce when doing our spring planting and barbecuing.
• Picture your house clean and organized. Focusing on a clean space will help lessen the feeling that everything is something you can’t part with.
• Make sure to thoroughly clean the items you decide to keep as you go, as well as the space they were stored in. Wipe it down, dust it out and vacuum it up. This will help you feel accomplished at the end of the day because you won’t just have the same stuff lying around- it is now clean stuff!
• Don’t waste your movements (or time) as you put things in your sorting bins. It is easy to get distracted so try to stay on track or else you will never get anywhere.
• As you put things back in their rightful spot, make sure to group like items together. This will ensure you’ll have an easier time finding the things you need, when you need them.

A Clutter Free Home Feels Wonderful

Decluttering will save you time on cleaning and dusting, and you will actually be able to find the items you need….which will reduce your stress level.

I think you deserve to treat yourself with a new outfit for doing something that should have been done years ago.

If you want a freeing experience, start the decluttering process today!

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How to Conquer Clutter.

How to Conquer Clutter and Keep it Under Control

Most of us just have too much clutter and junk in our homes. Clutter allows dust, dirt, grime, germs and allergens to accumulate in our homes, creating a potentially unhealthy environment. It is also visually unappealing, and gives off negative vibes.

Congratulations on your new commitment to living a clutter free lifestyle. You’ll feel better, more relaxed and can enjoy your free time once everything has been put into its proper place.

Here are some of the practical steps for decluttering and getting organized:

• Define specific and achievable goals for decluttering. Break down the task into smaller, more manageable steps.
• Allocate dedicated time for decluttering in your schedule. Treat it as you would any other important commitment. This helps establish a routine and makes it more likely that you’ll follow through.
• If a decluttering task takes less than two minutes, do it immediately. Tackling small tasks can create momentum and make the overall process feel less overwhelming.
• Envision the benefits of a clutter-free and organized space. Whether it’s increased productivity, reduced stress, or a more visually appealing environment, keeping the end goal in mind can be motivating.
• Begin with a small, manageable areas. Completing a smaller task can boost your confidence and provide a sense of accomplishment, making it easier to tackle larger areas later.
• When you declutter and organize a space have garbage bags and containers labeled and ready for the Keep Pile, Donate Pile, Trash Pile, and Relocate Pile. As you go through items, place each into one of these categories. This will help you streamline decisions and keeps you focused.

Let’s get on reading about our 10 commandments of cleaning clutter.

1. Stop Procrastinating and Clear the Clutter

You must start by building good habits. Stop putting off until tomorrow what you can do today, especially when you know you probably will not do it tomorrow.

There is simply not enough time in the day to effectively keep the clutter at bay with work and family requirements. If you add the habit of procrastinating when dealing with your clutter into the equation, you will just create a larger problem.

Make the hard to make decisions today. Set aside 15 minutes each day to deal with 1 new area of your home.

Overcoming procrastination and clearing clutter can be a challenging but rewarding process. It’s okay to take baby steps.

2. Stop Making Excuses for Not Decluttering

No more excuses.

It has to be done and you know it. The clutter is not going to go away by itself. 15 minutes a day is all it takes to make a significant impact on clutter control.

Pick just one small area of your home, it could be just one kitchen counter, and tackle the problem.

You can do this and permanently keep the clutter away, have the confidence in yourself.

3. Use It or Get Rid Of It

When you’re not likely going to put an item to use or if an item has never been useful to you or the family, get rid of it.

If you are really not sure if you are going to use some items, try boxing them up in a clearly labeled box, and store it. If six months go by, and you still haven’t had a need for the item, you can recycle it or give it to a charity.

If an item does not enhance your life in some way and you can’t remember why you bought it move it, recycle it or give it away.

4. Learn How to Let Go of the Clutter

As our lives change, our needs change. Learn how to let it go.

Somehow though, things that you’ve used accumulate. Nick-knacks, do-dads, mementos and plain old junk clutter our living space with no regard to the changes we’ve made in our lives.

Clutter which takes up valuable space and gives us nothing in return; except stress and anxiety, should be tossed out or given away.

I know it’s hard.

If it hasn’t been used or touched in years, ask yourself if someone else can benefit from it. It makes it easier to let something go.

5. Give Unwanted Things Away

Give your unwanted and unneeded items away when they are not being used.

Friends, relatives and charities can all benefit from your unwanted clutter and someone else will appreciate them.

6. Set Limits for Storing Things, If You’re Over Limit, Redo #5

Limit the amount of space you are willing to allocate to clutter.

Just because one space fills up does not mean that you should find or buy more space. It means that it is time to weed out the clutter and reclaim the space you already have.

7. First In/First out (FIFO)

Manufacturing companies do this to reduce clutter and waste and you can too. If something new comes in, something old goes out. It keeps things fresh, new and reduces waste and stops clutter from accumulating.

Use FIFO for everything from clothes and toys to books, magazines and other clutter. Remember the limits you have set and stick to them. The whole family will benefit.

8. Less is Really More

The less clutter you have means more time, money and energy for yourself and other family members. Remember not everything has to go, be realistic.

After you have organized and de-cluttered your home, reassess your space a couple times a year.

9. Everything Has A Proper Place, Find It

Once you have decided where things will go, keep everything in its place. Don’t bring new items into your home without having a very clear idea of where the item’s home will be.

If you don’t have a specific need, don’t bring it home at all. Find a place for the things you are keeping and that you use, and keep them there.

10. Stay on Top Of the Organization

Now that you have organized all your clutter and you’ve vowed to keep everything in its place, don’t compromise when it comes to keeping your home clutter free. Stay strong, and keep on top of it.

If you need help, don’t be afraid to ask.

Most family members or good friends are more than willing to pitch in if you need them to.

Conclusion

Remember that decluttering is an ongoing process. Consistency and perseverance are key to maintaining a clutter-free environment. Start with small steps, and over time, you’ll see significant improvements in your living space and overall well-being.

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The Basics of Decluttering and Organizing Rooms.

How to Organize Your Clutter

We’ve all had the experience of walking into a home (ours or someone else’s) and feeling like chaos reigns. All of us have some junk lying around here and there but some of us have our share of more than just a little.

When we have more clutter around the house than we can manage, it can feel like we’ve lost control of the situation and leave us feeling stressed out, hopeless and not even knowing where to begin the process of decluttering.

What is clutter?, things we keep that don’t get used or add any kind of value to our lives. When is clutter not clutter?, when it’s organized and making room for the things that do matter. Why should you organize and declutter?, because it can relieve stress, make you feel in control, make you feel a sense of accomplishment, and free up extra space.

We’ll help you get started with the basics of how to declutter around the house with these organizational ideas and decluttering tips.

Planning to Declutter and Organize

Before you get started, make a list of what needs to be done in each room then plan the day and what you hope to accomplish on that day. Try to tackle one room, the garage, or a few closets on that day.

Make sure to have garbage bags or boxes where you can put the things that you will get rid of, what you will keep, what will be stored and what will be donated. For the things that will go in storage, make sure you have appropriate containers and labels. For the items to be donated, try and drop those off that day or at the very least put them in the car so no one can take something back – “out of sight, out of mind” kind of thing. And of course, take the trash out.

When you put things back, there are many storage options; containers, baskets, shelving, bookcases and so on. To help you keep track of things, keep like items together. For instance, cleaning supplies, keep these together so you can find what you need when you need it. If you don’t have an office, keep all office supplies together (like paperclips, envelopes, stamps, notepads, etc), maybe in a kitchen drawer, so the next time you pay a bill you aren’t hunting around for stamps.

A Place for Everything

We can’t say it often enough: A place for everything and everything in its place.

If it’s out of place, whether it’s your watch, your retainer, or your favorite magazine and not where it belongs, it’s clutter. Obviously, these are valuable and useable items and you aren’t going to trash them. But you can keep them organized by keeping them where they belong. You are the one who determines that.

Organizing your clutter transforms it from being useless junk into its proper role in your life. Watches and rings are not like empty cans of soda. Your jewelry needs to be consistently returned to a proper place where you can find it when you want it. But if it’s laying on an end table next to the empty soda can, you may lose it in the trash.

How to Declutter the Kids Room

The scenario is the same – all over the world. A home with children can often times be chaotic and leave a room feeling like a clutter-zone. It doesn’t seem to matter how old the kids are because sometimes, teenagers can be more work than toddlers when it comes to clutter.

Kids are the ultimate clutter machines. They’ll attach themselves to the grimiest, tackiest toy in the box and refuse to give it up even if it’s falling apart. I’ve seen rooms that are so cluttered and messy, there’s scarcely room to walk. Clutter like that can be a hazardous room to walk into.

Get the Kids Involved

When it comes to decluttering a young child’s room, it’s important to get them involved. Have them go through the room with you and ask them what should stay that are some of their favorites and things that do get played with and what should go – give things a new home that can be donated to another child that may not have all the things you have.

With older kids, have them go through their room and create piles for items that don’t work and can be thrown away, a pile for items that are rarely or never used that can be given to another family member or donated, a pile for the things they just aren’t sure about, and then the things they want to keep that can be organized in a better way.

After deciding what is going to stay, then it’s time to decide on what storage ideas will work best when putting things away. For young kids, you’ll want to think about easy access containers where they can take toys out and put them away. Older kids may want baskets and containers that can fit under the bed to store seasonal clothes in, crafts, games, etc.

Regardless of age, you may want to think about closet organizers and maybe shelving as well.

More Organizing Tips

Here are a few more organizing tips that can help keep things tidy.

• In the living room, you can use baskets for keeping magazines and books, an ottoman with storage for movies and games.
• In the kitchen, keep daily used appliances and utensils on the counters, if you have the room. If you don’t have the room, then make sure they are in a cabinet where they can easily be taken out.
• In the bathroom, you can also use baskets or bins to help keep makeup, hair care items and the like from messily taking up drawer or cabinet space.
• When you are done using something, put it back where it goes.

These are just some basic ideas that can help you out. Don’t forget that you are not the only one responsible for keeping clutter at bay. Get the whole family involved.

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The Basics of Organizing and Removing Clutter Around the House.

Tips for Organizing and De Cluttering Around the House

Let’s face it – “clutter happens” and clutter is one of the biggest time-wasters of your house keeping duties.

Usually clutter is a result of not taking care of a task at the point of origin – i.e., tossing junk mail, filing important documents such as bank and billing statements, personal correspondence, kids not putting toys away, and not keeping rooms clean.

Clutter also accumulates in the kitchen by not putting things away or where they belong, wrappers left on the counter, craft projects left on the table and so on.

No room of your house is immune to clutter – especially if you have a family. Let’s see how we can help you keep more organized and clutter at bay.

Basic Organizing Tips

When you’ve finished with something, put it away – where ever it belongs. If it’s dishes, glassware, dessert bowls – when you are finished bring them back to the kitchen, rinse them and put them in the dishwasher.

If it’s trash, throw it away; don’t leave wrappers, soda cans or empty potato chip bags lying around for days on end. If it’s important mail or documents put them in a basket in the kitchen, office or wherever you customarily keep important papers. If you have magazine subscriptions, stack them nicely on a bookshelf, side table or put them in a magazine rack.

Don’t leave clothes, coats, shoes and towels lying around on the floor or hanging over the banister, put them where they belong – in a coat closet, the dirty laundry basket, a bedroom closet.

When organizing some things will need to be thrown out, some things can be donated, you will keep many things, maybe you can sell some things or give them away.

These are just a few basic organizing tips but now when you want to dust, vacuum or clean the furniture, there isn’t a bunch of stuff in your way.

Organizing the Kitchen

Gather all dirty dishes and either put them in the sink where you will wash, dry and put them away or put them in your dishwasher.

Organizing Counters

Look at the kitchen counters. Pick up every item that doesn’t belong there and organize by putting misplaced items in its proper place. Put boxes of cereal in the pantry, if you have a lot of small appliances on the counters but don’t necessarily need them there; put them in a cabinet or on a pantry shelf. Kitchen counters are an attractive place to put stuff.

Organize the Pantry

Make the pantry more organized. Arrange can and jar goods by type – so vegetables together, gravy together, soups, sauces, etc. Stack like items. Keep rice and noodles together in a basket, breakfast cereals together, snacks and so forth. Keep tall items in the back and smaller items in the front.

How to Organize Cabinets

Keep drinking glasses and coffee cups in a cabinet and dishes, bowls and serving plates organized by size in another cupboard.

If you have cabinet space for things like spices and vitamins, arrange spices in alphabetical order and arrange vitamins by who takes what.

Keep fry pans, pots and pans and things like a rice cooker and crock pot together.

Organizing Kitchen Drawers

Kitchen drawers can be organized by putting cooking utensils in one (or they can be kept on the counter in a utensil holder), silverware in another, foil paper, wax paper and lunch baggies in another.

And we can’t forget the all important junk drawer where you can keep scratch paper, pens, batteries, etc.

Having the countertops clear and items put in their proper place, it makes cleaning so much easier.

Organizing the Family Room/Living Room

The family room or living room is where we spend much of our time; watching TV, playing games, doing homework and more so it’s bound to get cluttered.

Storage Options

• Baskets
• Furniture with storage
• Bookshelves
• End tables

What Should you Store Away?

1. Remote controls – there’s a remote for the TV, there’s a remote for the sound bar, there’s a remote for the DVD player, cable box and so on.
2. Movies, games, remote controls. Do you have a Play Station, Oculus, Nintendo, Wii. Then you know how much stuff comes with them and that is bought for them.
3. Whether there are kids in the house or not. Games are a great way to pass the time.
4. Books, magazines and paperwork (maybe you pay your bills in the living room)
5. Kids toys. If you have kids then you know that toys can be everywhere. So while you are watching TV and they are playing, have a place for them to put their toys away when done.

If, at the end of the night, things are put away where they belong, your space will be more inviting.

Organizing Bedrooms

To organize bedrooms, start by picking up all articles of clothing; sort according to action needed – hanging up, put in a drawer or if dirty, take them to the laundry room or put them in the hamper.

Organize the Closet

Organize closets by hanging like items together: dresses, skirts, blouses, tops, pants, etc. If you need floor space for storage containers, use a shoe rack for slippers and shoes. Over the door organizing options can be used for ties, scarves, belts, etc.

Organizing Dresser Drawers

Dresser drawers can be organized by keeping seasonal clothes in them as well as intimate items. Under the bed storage options are many and can be used for the seasonal clothes not in season.

Organizational Ideas

So you don’t lose jewelry, you can buy a jewelry organizer and keep that on the dresser as well as a decorative mirror to put perfumes on.

If you have a ton of blankets, use baskets or get creative and use an old ladder to hang them from, extra pillows can go in a basket as well.

Keeping the Nightstand Organized

Nightstands are a great place for reading materials, homework, phones, electronic devices, etc. Hampers and garbage cans come in handy as well.

Organizing the Bathroom

Pick up and throw away trash, put dirty clothes and towels in the laundry basket. Keep toothbrushes in a holder and pump hand soap is much cleaner than bar soap.

Under Sink Storage

Under the sink organize shampoo, conditioners, and hair gel together. Keep body wash, loofahs, and razors together. If you don’t have drawers – toilet paper, bandages, and makeup can be kept under the sink as well – there are many nice stackable containers that can be utilized.

Medicine Cabinet Organization

If you have a medicine cabinet on the wall you can keep things like bandages, toothpaste, clippers, cologne and other items in there.

Organize the Linen Closet

If you have a linen closet in the bathroom but no medicine cabinet, not only can you keep towels in the closet but toilet paper, makeup, etc.

Organizing Bathroom Drawers

If you have drawer space and kids, give each child a drawer for their own personal items.

Conclusion

De-cluttering and organizing your home does not have to be an all day chore. As you have the time, pick an area and concentrate your efforts. Do that one area but do it well. Then, in a few days, pick another area to De-clutter, and so on.

The trick to keeping your home organized and decluttered is to practice regular maintenance. Get in the habit of throwing away things you don’t need, keeping dirty clothes out of sight (in the laundry room or in a dirty clothes hamper), keeping dirty dishes corralled in the kitchen, not allowing empty pop cans to be left sitting on end tables, etc.

Keep after the family to help in this process. The earlier children are taught to pick up after themselves the better – better for you and better for them.

Related Articles:

Organizing Clutter in Your Home

Tips for Decluttering and Organizing

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Tips to Help Reduce Clutter

Did you know that clutter is scientifically proven to raise stress levels? I, for one, don’t need more stress in my life.

Clutter is defined as “a collection of things lying about in an untidy mass” and it’s something we don’t need to live with – but clutter seems to be a by-product of living. Why? How?

We buy things on impulse, without a list, it’s on sale, can’t live without, it’s sentimental, my kids gave it to me and so on. Clutter comes in many ways, and if it’s in your home, you just need to learn to take control and make some decisions.

Fortunately, some clutter is recyclable – and all is disposable in one way or another. Learning to recycle and dispose of unnecessary and unusable items is an admirable character quality.

Learn To Recycle Clutter

A good time to make choices between trash and treasures is bi-annually during your early spring and late fall deep cleanings. If you remember that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, it’s easier to make the choice between things that actually do have some life left and those that are hopelessly beyond repair.

“Pack up all your cares and woes,” oops. We mean, evaluate and eliminate what can be donated and what is trash. As you’re going through the clutter make piles for donations (whether it’s to a donation center or family member or friend), trash (if it can’t be repaired or used), and a keep pile (to be examined more closely after you’ve donated and tossed stuff out).

Heck, if you’re in the mood, have a garage sale and make a little extra cash then donate what’s left.

Go Room by Room

So you don’t get so overwhelmed at the idea of cleaning out the clutter, go room by room. No one said it needs to be done in a day.

Go through kitchen drawers, your office, the garage, bedrooms, closets, laundry room, pantry, and every cubby where you naturally stick stuff to get it out of sight.

I’m willing to bet if you open one of your kitchen drawers right now, you’ll no doubt find a spatula with a melted handle or one that is scarred and rusted beyond belief. What in the world are they still doing in there?

Eliminate Hidden Clutter

Just because you can’t see it, doesn’t mean the clutter isn’t there. We put things in the back of a closet, pack in the groceries on the pantry shelf, and toss things in a box in the garage. Then forget about them.

Make sure to go through bathroom cabinets, under the kitchen sink, drawers and so forth. It’s there, the clutter is there believe me.

Make Tough Choices

1. Make the tough choices. There’s very little justification for clinging to broken or worn out tools for “sentimental” reasons. (If it was your dad’s old hand drill with a crank, mount it on a wall of your garage as an antique display.)
2. Go through your clothes closets and dispose of outworn, outgrown and outdated garments – even though you just loved that dress. If they are still stylish and wearable, either donate them to a needy shelter or recycle through a consignment shop.
3. Go through kitchen drawers; throw out utensils that are bent of out shape, have melted handles or are otherwise damaged.
4. Go through your pantry. Check opened and unopened packages of food products for pull dates. If the date expired months ago, you’re probably better off to throw it out. Certainly, you can conclude it’s not a product you eat all that often.
5. Check opened boxes of cereal, grains and pasta. Be sure they aren’t supporting alien life-forms.
6. Go through your garage. If the recycle containers are full to over-flowing, don’t procrastinate any longer. Set them on the curb if you have garbage service or make the trip to the recycle center. Be sure to take along any old tools or appliances that are not repairable.

Quell Your Sentimental Instincts

Quell your sentimental instincts; be unrelenting and unrepentant in throwing away or donating each and every item that cannot be used by anybody. The goal is clutter-free and organized storage space where you can actually find necessary items when you need them.

Are you hanging on to your mom’s first teapot she received as a wedding gift, old clothes the kids wore, that tree stump side table your parents got you that you never really liked?

Maybe there are other family members that want and have room for those sentimental things you have that you don’t want. Don’t burden yourself with hanging on to them if there isn’t room.

You can get creative and do a photo shoot and frame a picture of the things you’re getting rid of, you can make a blanket out of some of the clothes you have been keeping – turn something that is not useful into something useful.

Also, get the kids involved. Have you been saving baby clothes, stuffed animals, school work because you think they will want it when they move out – chances are they don’t. In the end, you’ll have had a good time going through these things with them.

Moving Forward, Stay Clutter Free

Bad habits are easy to make and hard to break. Good habits are hard to make, but easy to break.

The truth is, you don’t have to work hard at making bad habits – they are usually formed quite easily – by procrastinating, sloughing off, being careless, and (dare I say it?) irresponsible.

On the other hand, good habits are hard to come by because they require a sense of responsibility and a four letter word – WORK.

However, after you’ve mastered good habits that reduce clutter in your life and your home, you become free – with more spare time, less stress, less waste and a healthy and clean home environment.

Donate or Sell Regularly

Keep a container handy where you can easily put items that can be donated, when it’s full drop it off at a local thrift shop (and don’t forget your tax receipt).

If you want to take the time, there are places like Facebook Marketplace or Offer Up where you can sell your items (much easier than a garage sale) and make extra cash for a movie night and ice cream.

Make a List and Check it Twice

When you need to shop for items, food or otherwise, make a list and stick to it. If you see something on a store shelf or hanging on display, check your list, if it isn’t on the list, don’t get it. You don’t need it if it’s not on the list.

Repurpose What you Already Have

I know coming home to the same ol thing can sometimes be boring and make you feel like you need to buy a new piece of furniture but wait! Think to repurpose the room. Switch things up, paint a wall, a table, change things around on shelves. Get creative.

Out with the Old, In with the New

If you do buy something new – a new toy for the kids, a new outfit, a new blender, etc. Something has to go. If you give in and keep an item, you’ll fall right back into the trap of clutter.

All you need is a gentle push in the right direction. These are just some ways to help you get clutter under control and help you stay clutter free.

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How to Control your Paper Clutter

When my children were young, I was absolutely amazed at the amount of clutter that grew everywhere in my home.

Not only were their toys and books scattered about but another culprit, PAPER! All kinds of paper too. Newspapers, ads, coupons, flyers, magazines, junk mail, good mail, bills and pages printed from the internet.

I was always saving coupons and putting them in a pile for “later”. Well, later never seemed to come around as the coupons always seemed to expire before I had a chance to use them…and then the new coupons would get stacked on top and mixed in.

I also saved magazines. The recipes, home and garden ideas, fashion and other things that caught my eye collected in a shelf until I forgot why I was saving the magazine!

I was almost afraid to get rid of my piles of paper because I might need it (some day). Finally, after looking at stacks and piles lying around, I realized that clutter was controlling me.

If this sounds like you, don’t stress.

Many people, including myself, have created new habits by following these helpful tips that will help you control the piles of clutter around your home and tame the paper tiger.

Are you ready then? Let’s clean up the paper clutter!

Taking Control of your Paper Piles

Paper clutter falls into a different category than general household clutter which is created by kids, pets, adults, and lack of time.

An effective and time-saving habit to start is to look at the paper once and determine if it is: Junk, Action, or Non-Action. The more times you stack it, then move it, then pile it up again, the more of your time is wasted.

Junk

If it’s junk, touch it once and then throw it away now! This may sound easy, but I know of people that open their mail and then leave junk mail and the envelopes in the same stack as important bills.

Action

If it requires an action (reply, unpaid bill, etc.), put it in a “to-do” file on your desk.

Non-Action

If it’s valuable (for taxes, medical records, etc.,) and needs to be retained but requires no specific action, place it in an appropriate file right away.

Organizing Mail

With all the coupon books, bills and sweepstakes notifications that you receive, it’s no wonder you have a pile of paper that is ready to fall over at any minute!

Think about it: how many times do you have to go through the piles to find the important bill at the bottom? There is a better way:

If you receive your mail at the post office:

• Go through your mail before you walk out the door.
• Get rid of Junk Mail: Unless you are seriously interested in that ad for computer hardware or a digital camera, throw the flyer away in the recycle bin can that is thoughtfully provided by the USPS. Do the same with circulars, slick ads, pamphlets, catalogs and all junk mail.
• Open all envelopes and separate junk from bills.
• Throw the junk mail and all opened envelopes in the recycle bin.
• Now the only pieces of mail you should be taking home are important correspondence, bills, and other information that is vital to your interests.

If you receive your mail at home:

1. Find an empty counter
2. Have a recycle bin and/or shredder handy

Separate your mail into three categories:

1. Junk: Goes directly into the recycle. I like to shred all credit card offers because they have my name and address on it. In the past, someone filled one out using my information….so now I shred!
2. Action: Bills and other things that need to be taken care of or replied to go in this temporary pile.
3. Non-Action: Receipts or other documents that need to be filed can be placed in this stack.

Now that your mail is initially sorted, take the paper into your home office, or wherever you organize your documents.

1. File the non-action items you need to save in appropriately labeled folders
2. Place the action items in a prominent place (I put them in from of my keyboard) so that you take care of these things and won’t forget about them.

Organizing Coupons

For some of us, coupons are not junk mail.

They are useful and can save your hard earned cash if you are organized and actually use them. To do this, you can either purchase a coupon organizer from the dollar store or an online retailer. Personally, I don’t like spending money on something that is supposed to save me money so I made my own.

Here is what you do:

1. Take a letter size envelope and fold the flap in. I use an envelope because it easily fits in my purse.
2. Use note cards as separators and label: Meats, Frozen foods, Condiments, Cleaning supplies, Paper goods, Pizza, Snacks etc.
3. Place coupons in the appropriate section.
4. Put closest expiration date in front of each section.
5. Keep coupon folder handy, in your purse or car so you will have them when you need them.

You can organize your coupon’s categories alphabetically, according to where they are located in your store or any way that makes the most sense to you.

Before heading out, I create a shopping list and place a “C” by the items I have a coupon for. It helps me decide what brand I want to purchase and helps me stay organized. I don’t mind the extra work because that fifty cents savings can be better spent in the future!

Great Job!

There are many ways you can organize, but without a system you will always have piles of pesky, pointless paper clutter!

So don’t let your clutter control you. Take the first step and get organized, that way you can get rid of your paper piles for good!

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Clearing and Decluttering Your Home

Do you “live” in your house? Or does the clutter “live” in your house?

Sometimes you might have a hard time trying to figure this one out.

Maybe it’s been so long it has become a lifestyle. Maybe you’re thinking it may haunt you forever?

Do you have family that “live” with you and they dump the junk where ever they want because they don’t know anything else? Do you ever feel like you want to rent a hotel room to get away from it all?

Living in a cluttered home can make you feel tired and hopeless – like you’re not in control of your life.

Well if you’re thinking the clutter is too much in control, get yourself back in the driver’s seat and take control back!

Just imagine what a sense of calm you’ll feel when there is no mess scattered around. It will be liberating. Let’s us help you kick the clutter habit.

Be Prepared for Clutter Removal

Yes, it is a bit of an art, and it does take practice and patience. Starting the process may not be the easiest thing to do but as time goes by – the journey does come to fruition.

If you take it one step at a time you will make mounds of progress. You will see the act of removing clutter as an enhancement to your home decor and living environment.

The first thing to be done is to prepare to clear the clutter so you can put everything back in a way that makes sense, is organized and clean. You will most likely need some of the following items:

• Garbage bags – not only for garbage but the items you will be giving away.
• Boxes – these can be used for things you’ll be donating or giving away and for the items you find that belong in other rooms in the house.
• Clear storage containers and labels – These will be used for storing seasonal items (clothes, decorations, etc.), the memorabilia from your kids, toys, they’re great for the things that only come out occasionally and label them accordingly.
• Cleaning supplies – because when you’re down to the ground, you’ll want to clean and tidy up.

A cluttered home is visually and physically draining. Get ready to un-stuff the stuff and bring back the order to your home.

Evaluate Your Home

Take a moment to look around your home and assess its appearance. Rearranging your living environment will do a lot for reducing a cluttered appearance. It will also make your home more inviting to you and your guests.

Use your most critical artist’s eye. Go room by room, look at the overall picture and visually assess how the room greets the eye.

Display Items

Look at the items you have on display, do you still like them or are they dated and you really haven’t seen them sitting there for years? Have they become an eyesore on your shelf collecting dust? If you don’t have any special attachments to them – get rid of them.

Furniture

Use the same critical eye for furnishings and other accessories in a room. The arrangement of chairs, sofas, dining table, coffee tables, end or casual tables, table tops, lighting, fireplace, beds, and so on.

Too often we hang on to furniture just because it’s there. Get rid of worn out chairs and other items by either donating to thrift stores if it’s still useable, or trashing it if it’s in bad shape.

This kind of evaluation process can be a big step when decluttering your home and make it more attractive.

Fewer things are easier to maintain and makes cleaning quicker and easier too! Sometimes this can be the major culprit in rooms looking and feeling cluttered.

Making a new and Comfortable Layout

It might help if you have some graph paper – the kind with faded blue lines so that you can sketch your rooms to scale. If you don’t have graph paper, use plain or ruled paper and “guesstimate” the layout.

After you’ve sketched the outline of the room, cut out squares and rectangles for the furniture, lamps, coffee tables, beds, dressers, etc. Rearrange them to come up with a better layout, and then try it out for real!

If one designed layout doesn’t work, rearrange or remove a piece or two to get the desired uncluttered appearance you’re looking for.

There are also some very good computer programs for designing room layouts. If you are computer savvy and comfortable with purchasing a program written for this application, you might want to give it a try.

Pick up the Junk

When you are clearing the clutter from the room you are working in – be cold and calculating.

Ok, there are some obvious things you don’t need to hang on to:

• Moldy foods.
• Broken knick knacks.
• Old papers, books, and magazines that are ripped, stained, smelling of mold.
• Old furniture and accessories.
• Clothes that are stained, ripped, don’t fit, not your style.
• Anything you regret having and don’t remember why you got it in the first place.

We’ve said it once and we’ll say it again: if an item is not ripped, stained, and in good condition – donate it to charity. Someone will appreciate the effort you made to clean your house.

Set your boxes out so you can easily put donation items in one, things that go in another part of the house in another (don’t put these away until the room they belong in has been gone through and cleaned), one for the things you’re keeping in the room, and one for items that need to be stored.

Use garbage bags to put everything that is just plain clutter and trash in them. These items need to be scooped up and disposed of – never to grace your home again.

Don’t hesitate to enlist the assistance of another family member – especially if moving furniture is included in your plan of action. It saves wear and tear on your back plus encourages the rest of the family to “buy in” to the idea of clearing clutter from your home.

When you’re done, give the room a good cleaning before you put things back (vacuum furniture, clean counters, etc.) – now clutter is a thing of the past. Hurray!

Dust your hands off and give yourself a pat on the back.

Are You Having a Hard Time Deciding What Stays and What Doesn’t?

Everyone has family memories. If this is one of your tough decisions, put items safely in a storage container and store it.

If something hasn’t been seen, used, worn, etc. ask yourself if it be anytime soon. Chances are if you haven’t done anything with it in a long time – you most likely won’t in the future either.

Do you have a mess of papers but can’t seem to rid yourself of old paystubs, bills, credit card bills and statements? Do yourself a favor and toss them out. Most of these you only need to keep for one year.

If you have kids and you’re having a hard time deciding which toys to keep – look at what is truly important to them and what they actually play with. The rest can be donated to other kids that would love to play with the things your kids don’t.

Let’s be honest, some of us have way too many clothes. If you can’t part with things that you actually wear but you really don’t have the room for them, buy space saver bags or storage bins that store nicely under the bed or in a closet.

What Can I Do with the Stuff I Don’t Want?

If you have gifts you’ve received and don’t like – either give them to charity or regift them (just make sure you know who gave it to you so you don’t regift it back). Don’t feel bad about not keeping them; someone else will love what you don’t. Spread the joy!

If some of the things you are getting rid of are in good condition, have a garage sale. Take your stack of books to a store that will buy them back from you. Why not try and make a little money from all the effort you’ve put into cleaning your house up?

Share with family and friends. What you don’t want might be another’s treasure.

It’s Time to Start Fresh!

Don’t try and fill every nook and cranny. Keep it simple.

After cleaning the room, it’s time to start fresh and put only the things back you want, are important to you, you need, you will use for holidays, etc.

Think about the plan you created above for furniture your layout and accessories. Everything will have a home.

If someone takes a game down, when they’re done, make sure they know to put it back where it came from.

Organize like with like. If you don’t want your DVD collection on a shelf, buy a footstool that is also a storage place. These are also great for magazines, books, etc. Just be sure when you have finished the magazine or book you don’t hang on to them longer than necessary.

Storage Ideas

Over the years I have learned some things from friends and others that are actually really good ideas. Here’s a few:

• This is one of my favorites. Store sheet sets inside their matching pillowcase. Clever isn’t it?
• My girls have always loved their jewelry, a neat idea for bracelets and rings – a paper towel holder. You can use the counter kind or the kind that attaches to a wall. If you use the stand up kind with a small tube, the small tube can be used for rings.
• Get a cable organizer for the office or entertainment area.
• Another of my favorites and so creative is using spring rods to divide cupboards for items like cookie sheets, serving platters, etc. Ingenious!

Keep it Fresh

Do regular declutterings every so often so you don’t find your home overly stuffed again. Put a reminder on a calendar and stick to it. After all – less is more. More doesn’t always make you happier, right?

Clean as you go. After a time this will become a habit so your house is never a mess again.

If you do have an inkling to buy more, ask yourself if you really need it or if you have a place for it before you swipe the credit card.

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