If you’re struggling to keep a clean house, make time to remove clutter and unwanted items. Having belongings you don’t need or use around the house only adds to the things you have to clean. Deciding to declutter your home can feel overwhelming. Here are some tips to make the process easier and your living spaces more relaxing.
Getting Ready to Declutter Your Home
Before you begin decluttering, gather a few supplies to make the job easier. Gather cardboard boxes, plastic bags, and storage bins to sort items into different categories. Buy some labels to mark your storage boxes and containers once you’ve decluttered. Keep a trash can nearby for garbage that you find during the process.
Start Small
So you’re not overwhelmed, choose smaller areas of your home to get started. An easy decluttering project will help you feel like you’ve accomplished something because you’ll begin to see results. Choose an area that needs to be cleaned. The entryway closet, an overflowing silverware drawer, or a shelf in the laundry room are all good places to start. Get to work organizing that one area and you’ll quickly see a difference.
Make Time for Decluttering
Make a plan and schedule time to work on your decluttering project. Be patient and allow plenty of time to do the work. It depends on the current condition of your home, but it’s normal for decluttering to take days.
Check your calendar and find blocks of free time you can spend on this project. You may only have 20 minutes one day but could spend a few hours on a different day. Choose projects that fit with your schedule. A two-hour time slot may be enough time to declutter your guest bathroom. If you only have 15 minutes, choose a single drawer to work through.
Sort Your Belongings to Declutter Your Home
Once you have a plan, it’s time to get to work. Choose the area you’ll work on and remove everything from the space. Take all of the clothes, shoes, and accessories out of the closet, or remove everything from the kitchen junk drawer. Thoroughly clean the area and then begin sorting.
Use three boxes and make sure you have a trash can handy. Sort the items from the space into categories: things to keep, items to donate or throw away, and stuff that belongs elsewhere in your house. Sorting can be the most challenging part.
If you’re uncertain whether to keep or get rid of an item, ask yourself if you’ve used it in the last 6 months. Clothing is the exception to this rule. Seasonal items may only be worn at certain times of the year. But if you haven’t worn a piece in over a year, it’s probably safe to let it go.
Once you’ve sorted your belongings, return items you’re keeping to the closet, drawer, or cabinet. Take the box of donations to your car so you can drop it off next time you run errands.
After you’ve spent so much time decluttering, you’ll want to keep your home tidy and organized. Talk to your family members and get them on board. When you want to buy something new, ask yourself where it will fit in your house. If you don’t have a plan, don’t bring it home from the store. Set regular times for decluttering. Sort your belongings more often so things don’t pile up.
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