Decluttering Your Home

Have you, like me made a ‘To Do’ list for 2023? If so, I’d guess getting rid of excess stuff is probably on it. In fact, decluttering might be one of those items copied from last year’s list which didn’t get accomplished.

I understand. The thought of purging your home can be overwhelming. It is difficult to know how or where to start. In this blog I will offer decluttering tips and techniques which I have personally used and recommended to others during my time as a home organization specialist.

Let’s begin by defining clutter. Clutter consists of items in your possession which you do not need, use, or want. Common sources of clutter include books, magazines, newspapers, papers, clothing, shoes, as well as toys and games. If you participate in multiple crafts, like me – well…you know my pain!

Reasons to Declutter Your Home

Clutter makes a space feel chaotic and uninviting. Owning excess stuff is stressful, can make daily tasks difficult to accomplish, may prevent you from relaxing and enjoying your home, and can even cost money. Stacks of boxes or books may pose a safety hazard as these may fall, blocking an exit or injuring a person or pet. In extreme cases (such as seen on the television series Hoarders), abandoned trash or other items may harbor mold, mildew, or animal feces posing a health hazard for the home’s inhabitants.

Besides the obvious health and safety issues, reasons to declutter vary by person. How many of us have purchased a tool of some sort that we KNOW we own, but cannot locate when it’s needed? Yep, guilty! In fact, the average American wastes 55 minutes each day searching for lost items (Newsweek, 2004). If you are tired of looking for stuff, and sick of wasting time and money purchasing items you KNOW you have but cannot find, keep reading.

Here are some additional reasons to declutter:

• to prepare for a life changing event, for example the birth or adoption of a child
• to create space for a family member such as an elderly parent to live with you
• after a loss
• to downsize prior to moving, especially if moving to a smaller home
• in order to stage a home prior to placing it on the market, to make it more appealing to potential buyers
• to create functional space for daily living. Our homes should to be a sanctuary, but it doesn’t feel that way when you have to fend piles towering threatening to fall on you, move stuff off the couch to sit or have no place to eat a meal with your family.
• to provide an inviting atmosphere for hosting for family and friends
• to teach children healthy habits
• to enjoy time spent at home in a calm, relaxing atmosphere
• financial reasons:
  • to save money on a monthly storage unit rental
  • to make money selling unwanted items
  • as preparation for renting out a room or area such as a basement suite as additional income

Decluttering provides both physical and psychological benefits. With less stuff to think about, organize, move, and clean people report feeling lighter, less stressed, and more focused. In addition to enjoying their home as a relaxing, desirable place to be, many people are pleased to discover they have more time and the desire to do the things they enjoy, including reading, crafts, and spending time with friends and family. The amount of time spent cleaning is diminished, and lost items are non-existent. Well, almost. Who hasn’t looked for their sunglasses when they are perched on top their head? Just me, okay, never mind!

Now that we’ve discussed the benefits, let’s dive in. Just how does one accomplish decluttering? I’m glad you asked!

 

 

Preparing to Declutter Your Home

There are two schools of thought on where to start. Many professional organizers recommend starting small, say with a drawer or single cabinet. This allows you to see immediate results, which can be motivating. Other organizers feel it is best to tackle the most used room, or the most cluttered area first. My personal thought is to begin with the storage areas or closets where you intend to house your pared-down items. As you can see, where to begin will be a personal preference, the important thing is that you do start. The following are steps you can take to determine your plan of attack.

Prioritize. Take an honest look at your home. Which areas are the most bothersome? Knowing where to begin is huge! Have a game plan and set goals for yourself. Make a checklist or ‘to do’ list and consult it regularly. Cross off items you have completed after each session.

Plan ahead. Where do you plan on storing your organized items? While I do not recommend purchasing shelves or plastic storage bins before the decluttering process is complete, it is a good idea to take stock of the storage you already own. This will help you determine where to best place or store the items you decide to keep.

Set realistic goals. Rome was not built in a day, and the clutter did not accumulate overnight. It will take time, patience, and perseverance to complete this task. To begin, plan on a short session of 10-15 minutes and focus on one specific area or item. If you are still motivated once you have completed this initial task, you have the option of extending the session as many times as you like.

Set aside time when you won’t be interrupted so you can focus on the task at hand.

Prepare yourself mentally, especially if you are clearing items after a loss or are a sentimental person with many knickknacks and mementos to sort through.

Ask for help if needed. You may need physical strength for lifting or moving boxes or furniture, or emotional support as you sort through treasured mementos.

Communicate with your family members about your intentions. Perhaps they are willing to help with the process, but at bare minimum let them know the plan so they do not participate in bringing more clutter into the home.

Do not discard or donate items which do not belong to you, unless you have the right or their permission to do so. Partners may have attachments to items for which we see no value, and even kids have the right to select which of their toys and personal items to keep. If this is a source of contention, mutually agree on a place to store or display these items. For kids, set a limit of the number of items they can keep, say 10 stuffed animals or 5 puzzles. The important thing is to let them choose which items to purge and which to keep.

Select a staging area if needed, for sorting larger items. A bed can be the perfect surface for sorting clothes, just be certain it is cleared off by bedtime (or have an alternative sleeping arrangement!)

Gather supplies. You will need boxes or plastic bins, large trash bags, tape, scissors, labels or paper, a marker, and a timer or clock. Water to drink, a healthy snack, and some music are also helpful.

Don’t give up! As overwhelming as it seems, keep going. For many people, seeing progress and the difference in their space motivates them to continue.

Get started! As with many tasks, the hardest part is getting started. You may be surprised, once you get started you may find it difficult to stop! Getting rid of stuff can be quite cathartic, even enjoyable (yes, really!) Who knows, you may even find that earring you’ve been missing!

Reward yourself for a job well done! This is not necessary of course (as the real reward is in the space you reclaim) but an inexpensive, small reward can encourage you to ‘tough it out’ if you are having difficulty. Rewards should not be an item (that would defeat the purpose of decluttering!) but instead something you enjoy – a cup of your favorite coffee, time with a friend, or a hot bath.

The 5-Bin Method and Decision Making

In the prior section I briefly discussed letting family members decide which of their items to keep. This section will discuss that decision-making process and practical tips to clear your home of excess stuff.

The goal in decluttering is to get rid of anything you don’t need, want, or like. Most organizers, like myself recommend using a 5 (or 6) bin method for sorting items during the declutter process. To do this obtain the following: 1 large trash bag, 1 box labeled donate, 1 box or plastic bin labeled sell, 1 box or bin labeled keep, 1 box or bin labeled return, and one box or bin labeled repair. If you like you can also add boxes labeled sentimental and maybe/unsure.

1. Trash

Contents of the trash bag are pretty obvious. Trash includes items which are broken, outdated, or spoiled. Keep in mind certain items such as medications and hazardous waste must be disposed of properly. See my chart or search specific items online for more information.

2. Keep

This box will contain any items which fit, are currently in use, are in good working condition, and, (this is important) that you have a place for. Keep items may include:

• small appliances which are used frequently
• seasonal decor
• seasonal clothing
• items which will be needed in the near future maternity or baby items

If you have difficulty eliminating items, it may be helpful to limit yourself to a set space for particular items. For instance, collectible figures in a corner cabinet, or socks in a single drawer.

3. Sell

Items which you no longer need, want, or are duplicates can be sold as long as they are in good condition. Social media marketplaces and neighborhood sites are great places to post and get a quick response. Hosting a yard or garage sale is an additional, but more time-intensive way to earn a few bucks.

Consignment stores, offer a fast and easy way to rid yourself of unwanted items, though you will receive a pittance of what the item is worth. However, if you have the time and inclination, I’ve had great success with consignment sales, which I will blog about at a late date.

4. Donate

Items which you don’t want to sell but are still in decent condition belong in this box.

Family, friends, and neighbors may be interested in your stuff. If not, some schools, churches, and libraries accept donations of toys, games, puzzles, books, clothing, and furniture. Many charity organizations offer free item pickup service and a tax-deductible receipt.

For more information about donations, read last week’s blog.

5. Sentimental Items

These are items that are special to us, often because they are associated with a person or memory.

Some ideas for parting with sentimental items include:

• take a photo or video of the item prior to removing from home
• for larger items, give the item to a family member who has use and space for it (bonus- can visit it!)
• for smaller items, make a memento box for family members. Include a handwritten note about the items in each box and what makes them special.

6. Unsure/Don’t know what to do with

If the idea of getting rid of stuff has you stressed out, try using this box.

Place the items in the appropriately labeled box or bin, writing a detailed list of the contents. Store the box. If, at the end of 6-12 months you haven’t used these items, donate them.

 

 

Lets Begin- The Decluttering Process

Make the process as enjoyable as possible. Put on some music or listen to a favorite podcast.

Start by picking up the obvious trash in the area and discarding it in the trash bag.

Next sort the items which belong in a different room or location into the relocate box. Do not take time to relocate the item now, wait until the end of the session or when you are finished with the area. This will help keep you on track and prevent distraction.

Continue to sort the items into the previously discussed categories, placing them into the labeled boxes or bins.

If you find duplicates of an item, keep your favorite or the one which is in the best condition.

If you begin with a drawer or similar location. First empty the drawer, shelf or cabinet you are working with completely. If possible, vacuum and wipe it out.

Finish up each session by taking the trash bags out, arrange for donation pick up, or place the donation boxes in your vehicle.

Prevent Clutter from Returning!

Set rules for yourself and your family about what types of items are allowed to come into the home. In order to keep the home clutter free everyone needs to be on the same page, or at least reading the same book!

• Adopt a one in, one out policy. For every item purchased, one item must be removed from the home.
• Be intentional about what you bring into the home.
• Communicate with friends, family members, and anyone who buys items for you. Offer gift ideas which are not ‘things’. Examples include:
  • ‘Experience’ gifts, such as a manicure
  • A meal at your favorite restaurant (or a home-cooked meal)
  • Ask them to contribute to a savings goal you have
  • Spend time with them doing something you both enjoy
  • For friends with specific skill sets such as carpentry, ask them to do a small home repair job.

• Try a no-spend challenge for 30-days.
• Commit to only spending cash on purchases, and set a budget limit.
• When tempted to buy something, place the money in a savings jar instead. Use the money for a vacation, spa day, to pay off debt, or for a bucket list item.

Now that your home is free from unwanted items, you can begin to enjoy the benefits not only your space but your time, budget, and overall environment. The next step in the process is organizing the items you have decided to keep. This will be the topic of next week’s blog. Until, be blessed!