We all want to keep our homes as clean and organized as possible right? It’s always relaxing to come home to a clutter free home. However, we all have different lifestyles and priorities, clutter problems seem to congregate almost everywhere. It has a way of sneaking up on us… Now is the time to reduce clutter and enjoy your home the way you want it to be!
Here are some simple STEPS to go about decluttering:
1- Toss: Probably the most difficult part of decluttering is removing what you don’t need. This can mean throwing it in the trash, giving it away or selling it. You need to be brutal with this otherwise you will only be rearranging the clutter. You can’t organize clutter! Decide if these items are important to you. Really important to you. And how many of each item do you really need?
Begin decluttering your home one room at a time. Start at the entrance of the room and work your way around in a clockwise manner. Try not to skip around and make sure you tackle all areas in the room.
Once your “give away” box is full, you can take it to a donation center. You can also earn a little cash from your “give away” box if you sell them on place like KSL, eBay, or Craigslist. When you find the right place to get rid of your excess it feels great, makes letting go easier, and reduces the embarrassment of over consumption.
2- Sort: Once you have your stays here pile group similar items together. This is very basic organizing. It helps you locate everything you need for a particular task in one place. Mail items should be together, craft supplies in the same area, etc. Imagine if your cookware was all over the house, how much do you think that would slow down your cooking?
3- Placement: You need to have easy access to the things you use in your house. This means thinking about the work flow of the space and where you want things to be placed. If you use something often, then it will need to be in the space that you use it and be as close to at hand as possible. If something is hardly used, then it can be placed further away; on a high shelf, in the back of a cabinet or even in the garage.
Quick Decluttering Methods:
1. Box it up- Pick a box for this project. (not a shoebox) ? The goal is to find enough stuff to fill the box, just fill the box, once you’re done you can stop unless you decide that it was fun and you are ready for more!
2. Set a timer- If decluttering seems overwhelming for you or you know there are several places that need attention then just try setting a timer. Set that timer for 30 minutes or so and get going! When the timer goes off you can be done but as always you can continue, either way, if you are consistent with this method the job will get done.
3. Pack it up- If you are worried about letting go of all this stuff you could pack up those things that you aren’t sure about, then store them away instead. Don’t torture yourself about the boxes. Don’t try to remember what’s in there for remembering sake! Just let them sit there. If you find after a couple months that you have not needed anything in there then allow yourself to get rid of them.
For some people, decluttering can be a very emotional experience. It’s hard to let go of “stuff” for a variety of reasons – sentimentality, fear of needing it later, pride, and so on. Notice what emotions arise during the spring cleaning – you may notice feelings of fear, sadness, or anger. Or you may feel invigorated and free! Sometimes letting go of old items symbolically represents letting go of the old in your life. Just notice what arises. As you let these feelings go you will feel more open to new opportunities.
For Spring Cleaning I enlisted the help of The Fly Lady and Tip Nut. Between these two you should have more than enough tips to get you started! Pick one area to start with and begin today! If you don’t want to do it yourself or you don’t have the time you could always hire the help! Check out TLC House Cleaning They are a licensed and insured home cleaning service based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Providing cleaning services across the Wasatch Front!