Clutter is one of those incredibly annoying problems that we know the solution to but still can't quite kick it. It's like weight loss: Yes, everyone knows diet and exercise are the key but that doesn't mean there aren't a million programs that package it in different ways. So here's my take: Follow these simple tips for inspiration and remember: Even if you just try it for a week, you might find yourself pleasantly surprised.
Ah, a lovely, clutter-free home. Wonder how long it will stay this way... Photo: Getty Images
Decluttering Tip #1: Take 5
Getting rid of clutter may seem like a mammoth task, so break it down. Five minutes a day spent de-cluttering an area is surprisingly effective.
Decluttering Tip #2: Two For One Don't allow things into the house in the first place. If something new does make it's way in, make it a rule to give two things away in it's place.
Decluttering Tip #3: Donate Choose a local charity to donate all the items that you decide you no longer need, but would hate to throw away. Go a step further and sign up to volunteer at a shelter or a food pantry, seeing how much need there is in your town, may inspire you to pare down your belongings.
Decluttering Tip #4: Box It Up For all the items that you resist giving away, consider putting them in a box. Seal and date the box for six months or one year in the future. If at that time you haven't needed to break the seal, give the entire box away.
Decluttering Tip #5: Start With The Kitchen Sink A clean sink goes a long way in making your home feel more organized. Decide that you will always have a dish-free sink and that clean feeling will spill over to the rest of the house.
Decluttering Tip #6: Corner First Tackle a room by starting in the corner and working your way around. Taking two trips through each room will do wonders for the overall appearance. The first pass is for gathering up all the items that don't belong in that room. Place in a laundry basket for now, if you start returning each to the proper place there is a distinct possibility of getting distracted. The second time through wipe down surfaces and touch up the floor with a vacuum or broom.
Decluttering Tip #7: Less Storage That may seem like a backwards tip, but it's true: Having less baskets and bins and special storage containers reduces the amount of stuff in your home. Of course that will happen only if you let it.
Decluttering Tip #8: Old Is Not Always Gold Be realistic about the stuff you have been saving because it might be worth something someday. If that is the only reason you are hanging on to something -- meaning you don't love it or need it -- give it away. You can also find out exactly what something is worth with a little research. Check on ebay.com or ask a local antique dealer.
Decluttering Tip #9: Use The Buddy System An excellent way to spend time with your best friend is to bond over your clutter. Ask a friend if they would be willing to help de-clutter and organize your home one weekend, and then return the favor. Cleaning together eliminates distraction and helps keep you from saving ridiculous items.
Decluttering Tip #10: File don't Pile Be ruthless with paper clutter. Clear out the existing paper by simply tossing what you don't need and filing the rest. Taking a few minutes each day to contain this monster is the only way to control it.
Follow these ten tips for just a couple of minutes each and your home will soon have a lot more clean, clutter-free spaces.
Reader comments (Page 1 of 1)
Tip #3: We were raised with this (I am 65 yrs old). Mom always had a "Goodwill" bag for when we had things we no longer needed. It had to have value and not be junk ("Would someone want that?"). Additionally it kept us socially aware (1) how much we had to be thankful for and (2) our responsibility to help others. "There but for the grace of God go I," was often repeated when faced with others' misfortunes and our call to help others.
ReplyDid you take these tips from the Fly Lady? She has been posting these same tips for years - you should at least give her credit. Even the kitchen sink - that is exactly where she starts you when you go to her website flylady.net.
ReplyThat's exactly what I was thinking: these tips have been taken from the FlyLady.net. She even wrote a book called, "Sink Reflections" about shining the kitchen sink and more. Nothing original here....
EXACTLY. My daughter loves Flylady and passed along her clean-kitchen-sink tip years ago.
Again, you are getting these tips from the Fly Lady - you should give her credit these very much came from her website flylady.net.
Replynever been able to get rid of the paper, purchased a desk, file cabinet, book case and now all three have paper on them...
ReplyMy motto is everything has a place and should be in that place. When you get home put things where they belong and then you know where they are the next time and nothiing is cluttered. Now, does my family do the same? Hell no!!!! Hee Hee. Oh, such is motherhood.
ReplyIts hard to keep the house clutter free if your spouse is a hoarder. They are oblivious to clutter.
ReplyHow easy you make it all sound lol. I wish I could have my home decluttered. The sad reality is I work 60 plus hours a week. I have two small dogs that I keep sequestered in the hall (yes with food, water, toys and doggie bed) while I am at work and they unfortunately use the potty in the house and the boy dog uses the potty all over the house when let out but we don't get rid of our children now do we? I also used to run two businesses from this home, a clothing store on ebay and a tree service, so not only do I have several totes of stock around my home but also chainsaws, tools and tree equipement. My (hopefully) soon to be exhusband that I kicked out feb of 2010, stuff is still here (he only wants to take fun stuff to his girlfriends like big screen tvs, electronics and his clothing). I would say 50% off my personal items are still packed up in boxes in the living room and I cannot remember the last time I saw the top of my dining room table (I thought I was leaving the home in a fit of insanity) I feel like I live in a storage. Not to mention that my house is extremely old and is just breaking down and falling apart due to time and its under 1000 square feet. I feel like I am in a never ending cycle of hell. I can't get rid of the stock from the clothing store because i have about $8K invested in it and I work too much to do ebay properly, Can't get rid of his stuff until there is some kind of judgement with the divorce or I could get in trouble. He was a serious pack rat while living here. What kind of advice does the minute makeover have for me, lol.
ReplyGoodness...and REALITY is just REALITY..... Do what you can each day.....don't beat yourself up....and major CONGRATULATE yourself when a "spot" is cleaned!
Put his stuff in a storage unit, pay the first month's rent and send him the key along with a certified letter telling him what you've done and where he can find his belongings. You might also want to include a list of the items (keep a copy). After that HIS stuff AND the rent will be HIS responsibility. This way you can't get into trouble for destroying or disposing of his stuff, but it will be out of your way. And I have a feeling that seeing what a difference just having his things out of the house has made you will feel spurred on to deal with your own clutter. You don't have much free time but I'm reminded of that little riddle - "How do you eat an elephant?" "One bite at a time". Good luck.
make my wife and daughter move...lol
ReplyGreat ideas abound but please do edit before publishing! Case in point: it's (which really is 'it is') really needs to change to 'its' (the possessive one!) . So the sentence ends ". . . in its place" not ". . . in it's place".
ReplyI know the English language is a bear with its many idiosyncrasies but it is worth the hard work to do it right!
I follow this advice ALL THE TIME as I HATE clutter, but my husband is a pack rat and he will NOT throw out anything so my house is way too cluttered and there is nothing I can do about it.
ReplyI like this approach. Makes me hope that I may find a light at the end of my clutter tunnel
ReplyWe've lived in our home for over fifty years, I have always donated to shelters at least six times annually. I'm a retired teacher and I now write children's books. Music is my hobby. So thru the years I have collected books, papers and music and am now being burried in them. I am having a difficult time finding a manageable filing system. Any suggestions? Thanks, Jane
I had trouble getting rid of "perfectly good" things until I joind a group called Freecycle. Check on the internet for a group near you. Everything is offerd for free. You can give things away and also take things that ae offered. You can even ask for specific items to see if anyone has one to give to you. Now I feel like those semi-precious items are going to a good home where they will be apreciated AND it keeps them out of a landfill! People will even take broken things to fix.
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