Why Declutter ?

Hiring a cleaning service like Darling Dusters is a great way to let go of tasks and chores so you can have more time to pursue goals or spend time with your family but your home won’t feel any different if you have unwanted clutter and stuff everywhere.  The cleanest floors and surfaces can still be frustrating and annoying and cause stress if there are things in the way of your space serving you and your family in the way you want it to.  So here are some gems for your if this description fits your home…just some ideas and tips to get you going toward living in the productive, calming refuge you deserve.

photo: abigailhall.co.uk

Ideas & Tips to Declutter a Home

1.  discuss a declutter with all stakeholders (roommates, family, kids, etc)

Designate a use or purpose for every space in your home.  Ask everyone to help decide what items are needed and/or not needed in that space in order for it to serve its purpose.  Also get their input on what they think about the space currently as well as any ideas or goals they have for how the space should look and function after the declutteri process.

 

2.  determine the scope of your declutter project.

Make a list of all spaces needing decluttered-be sure to include closets, drawers, shelves, cabinets, etc. and ask these questions:

1.  Does this room, space, closet, drawer serve its purpose?

2.  Is there too much stuff? Do I need to declutter here?

3.  How can I make it better?

4.  Does this space make me happy?

 

3.  put together a plan

Give yourself plenty of time and be realistic.  There is no prize for finishing first in this.  The prize is a completely useful, beautiful space.  Determine what you are going to do with the things you decide to part with when you declutter.  The most effective method for me in this journey is to have a trash  receptacle, a box or tub for donating and a box or tub for a garage sale if I am going to have one.  Schedule the garage sale for a weekend after your decluttering is complete.  If you are not the type of person who has garage sales or if you have nowhere to host one then you can still take things to a consignment shop.  Do not, however, fool yourself into thinking you might do something you know you won’t do!  Just make sure whatever you say you will do with the stuff overcrowding your life will actually happen.  Put your plan in writing. Add it to the calendar.

 

4.  execute the DECLUTTER

Gather your supplies and begin.  Below this list is a list of Rules to Organize and Declutter…learn it, know it, live it…or print it off and keep it with you.  While you are decluttering and you get stuck on an item, review the list…ask the above questions.  As you fill a trash bag, take it out to the garbage bin.  If you fill a donation box, take it to the car to drop off next time you are out.  Most cities have places where you drive up and they will unload it for you.  You don’t even have to get out of your vehicle.  If you fill a box for a garage sale, take it to the garage.  (Bonus points if you kept labels with you and priced as you added to the garage sale box.  Good for YOU!)

 

5.  keep it up!

Don’t let your space become cluttered again.  Maybe consider adopting a one-in, one-out rule for certain spaces.  This works well for me with candle sticks.  I love them and I always find one or two I like when I am shopping but I am at maximum candle-stick capacity at my house, so I know if I come home with any I will have to get rid of an equal amount in order to make room for the new ones.  I also do this with trays.  I love serving trays!  Some people stick to this rule for all spaces and items in their home.  I also work a declutter into my schedule every once in a while.  The closets get one each spring and fall when they are rearranged for the new season, under the bathroom sink gets a declutter every time I find myself picking up things that sFind what balance is right for you and your spaces and enjoy your functional sanctuary.  You will also find that if you do employ a cleaning service and/or you stick to a regular cleaning schedule at home that your house will seem cleaner…your cleaning service will have more time to do the extras for you since they won’t be moving things around to clean under and behind them and you will absolutely finish your chores faster!!

 

Rules to Organize and Declutter

• Get rid of duplicates.
• Do not keep anything which has not been used in the last year.  (There are many ways to track item usage.  One of my favorites is to hang everything in your closet backward until it has been worn.  After 6 months, a year or whatever timeframe you decide; you know what items have been worn and what items to get rid of.)
• Digitize nostalgia.  Transfer old film, tapes, cds and pictures onto a hard drive or flash drive.  This will keep you from having to move it or dust it and it is also much smaller to keep in a safe place in case of fire or flood.
• Don’t keep anything out of guilt!
• A place for everything and everything in its place.
• Sell, gift, donate, upcycle, recycle, throw away.
• If you wouldn’t buy it now-get rid of it.
• If you tend toward clutter and holding on to things, buy furniture with doors to hide ‘stuff’ instead of open shelving.
• Utilize space:  under the bed, vertical space, ceiling, attic…
• Consider a 30-day spending hiatus to give yourself time to change habits and be sure you are buying things you need or that actually enhance your home and life and not simply filling empty space with ‘things’.