While you aren’t looking, clutter can quickly sneak in and take over your home. Once it gets in, removing it can seem almost impossible. Despite this, the benefits of removing clutter are many. They include less stuff to organize, less stress and more energy for other things. Be assured that you can win this battle. To get you started, here are four secrets for retaking your home from mountains of clutter.
1. Apply the 5 Minute Rule
Just the sight of a cluttered home can be overwhelming for many. Rather than trying to tackle the entire task in a single sitting, try working in five minute increments. Depending on how many areas of your home need to be de-cluttered, it may be a good idea to make a list of every room so you can prioritize this task.
2. Keep Trash Bags Handy
With any de-cluttering project, your method of disposal is one of the most important decisions you can make. Having trash bags handy to dispose of the clutter can prevent you from moving it from one place to another. If you can commit to filling just one trash bag a day, your home will be clear and clutter free in no time.
3. Sell Your Old Junk
No matter how long you keep it or how many times you move it from one room to another, junk will still be junk. Fortunately for you, sites like Decluttr provide you with a way to get rid of your used CDs, DVDs, Video Games and Blu-rays while making some extra cash. Not only is the site free to use, but the sales process is very easy.
4. Employ the Hanger Trick
Made famous by Oprah, this method is designed to help you clean out your closet. Start by placing all of your clothes on a hanger and placing them backwards in the closet. Each time you wear an item, place the laundered clothing in the correct direction. After doing this for a period of one or two months, you should have a pretty clear picture of which clothes you don’t wear. These can be discarded or donated to a local cause. This method may also be useful for things like toys, tools and linens.
No matter how you decide to get started, the important thing to remember is to have fun with this project. Remember that each trash bag you fill brings you one step closer to having a clean, clutter-free home.
