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Anxious to have a successful spring cleaning, but not sure where to start? Start with a little decluttering first. Overwhelmed with where to start?
Try these 5 tips for Decluttering:
Determine how many bags you want to fill up, grab that number of bags, and start clearing out drawers, shelves, counters….don’t stop until you’ve filled those bags. Have 15 minutes and want to fill two bags? Grab two bags and get to work.
Move fast – don’t think more than a few seconds about whether you want to keep a sweater that you haven’t worn in 2 years, donate it to someone that can use it now. Haven’t used that pan since you moved in to your house over three years ago? That pan has to go.
Start where the decluttering will help you the most – cluttered kitchen got you down? Start there. Too many clothes that don’t fit or aren’t your style anymore? Start with your closet. Stepped on a lego for the last time? Start with the kids’ toys. Successful decluttering will lead you to declutter more areas.
Toss – Keep – Donate – Sell
Separate everything into these four categories – once you’ve accomplished a successful purge, keep a basket, bag or box handy to add items to these categories in the future to keep the clutter at bay. Consider selling items on Ebay or Craigslist for some extra cash.
Use what you have to organize your spaces so you aren’t buying new stuff to replace the stuff you’ve just decluttered. Re-purpose a basket or box to organize your magazines in lieu of buying a new magazine basket.
So tell us, what’s your best tip for decluttering?
Jess Says...
These are some great tips! I recently set up a donation bag for this exact purpose! There are so many things my husband refuses to throw away, and I’ve finally convinced him to use this bag, because he could just go back and get it if he needs it before we donate it. Which he never will so it is FINALLY out of my hair.
-Jess
http://www.thatssewcrafty.blogspot.com
MrsDez Says...
Our family has just returned from a massive 5 month road trip/holiday through Western Australia and the Northern Territory (we live in Perth, Australia). We took our Jayco camper trailer and lived in that the whole time. When we came home, we realized there was a whole lot of stuff that we hadn’t missed during that 5 months, sitting at home collecting dust. So I was ruthless when we moved back into our house. I threw out HUNDREDS of CD’s for starters. Half a rubbish bin full. And then continued on through every room and cupboard in the house. I think your tip, “Move fast” was my mantra. I threw it out before I could stop to think about out. Everything feels so much better now that I have space to organize properly.
Nina von Ordnungsliebe Says...
Such a great idea. Thank you so much for this. Nina von Ordnungsliebe/Germany
jmmonroe Says...
I am a big believer in the one in one out rule. If I get one new thing or receive a gift then I release one item into the universe usually gifting someone or donating
Sarah Says...
We’re getting ready to move and want to get rid of some of the extra stuff. These tips are a huge help, thanks!
#1Nana Says...
I follow what I call the Rule of 5. Once a day I put five items in the donate bag. It always has to be a multiple of five. If I have six items, then I need to find four more for a total of 10. It’s an easy task for the first few days…then it gets a little harder once the obvious give aways are in the bag. I set a goal of following the rule for a week or two weeks. Sometimes I use the rule for a specific room and clean out the spare bedroom (clutter central.)
Suze Says...
I am trying hard to not let the stuff in the first place. Not easy as I love to shop etc but need not greed is my motto for most purchases.
Craig Sedoris Says...
I think a lot of people don’t even realize how much clutter they have lying around until they take a good hard look at it. There are great tips just in time for spring cleaning!
Nichole Says...
I always love your tips. I sell most of the stuff I don’t use anymore, and if I can’t sell it I donate it.
Kelster Says...
After the obvious donation items are removed, take a picture of the space – look at it on my computer and see what I missed.
Keep one empty shelf, drawer, space in each room/area so when you do purchase something there is a home for it. Of course that means once an item is purchased than a new space needs to be cleared. This is great for when a sale comes on the bulk version of a product you normally buy.
Freelancer On Fly - Charlot Says...
This tips are indeed helpful and informative. Many supermoms are great in organizing things and do almost everything to properly keep their valuables. Thanks for sharing this wonderful hints.
Cha of Vacuum Food Storage Bags
T Says...
I set up a small donation box right over my dryer I just toss what I don’t love in there. Also I set up too small bins in each kids bedroom. It works so good. The kids toss stuff in there all the time to get rid of. My best declutering trip for my family is figure out what your clutter is. My brother showed me this. Why so your kids need 20 (no exaggeration ) pairs of pants and shirts when you have full access to a washer. Kids have 10 of everything now. It’s great there drawer close and I can keep up with the laundry.
Tracy Says...
I am helping out a client with declutering her house and I uped the chalange for her. If she brings anything into the home she has to remove 2 things of equal size. So if she buys a night stand something has to leave like a plant stand or a dresser. It make them think um do I have a “night stand” at home that I am not using to its full potential. And it is amazing what can happen to your house in 15 mins. You didn’t collect the stuff in one day it’s going to take time. If you try and do it all at one time you get tiered and stop.