Paying your bills on time can be extremely challenging, that is if you don’t have a fail-proof system in place. Today I’m sharing with you four easy to implement ways that will help you finally organize bills in your home. These systems will not only help you avoid late payment fees but save you acontinue reading…
How To Tackle Clutter Like A Professional
This post may contain affiliate links for your convenience and at no extra cost to you, please refer to our affiliate disclosure for more details.
If you’re constantly wondering about how to tackle clutter in your home, then this is for you. Is clutter taking over your home and your life? If so, keep both of these things in mind. You’re not alone and there’s no reason to panic. With scores of tips available to help you, tackling clutter is probably much easier than you think. Keep reading to learn more.
How to tackle clutter
1 – Closet Clutter
Sometimes, cleaning out your closet and getting rid of clothes you no longer wear is one of the most difficult clutter-busting jobs of all. If you happen to feel that way, try this. When it’s time to put away laundry, take a few extra minutes to try on a few pieces of clothing that have been hanging around forever.
Put back the garments that fit and are still in style. Knowing that you’d buy the same garment again is another indication to keep it. Donate clothing that doesn’t fit, regardless of the price you paid for it. This tip works because sorting through a few items at a time is much less daunting than tackling the entire closet.
If you see clothes that are too worn, discolored and no longer sits nicely on your body, consider throwing these items also as they take up cupboard space and chances are you barely wear them anyway, if at all.
Related: How to live minimally without compromising your happiness
2 – Implement a Buddy System
Asking a friend or family member to help you tackle clutter is great for two reasons. First, you have an extra set of hands to assist you. Second, your buddy isn’t as attached to your belongings as you are. When you just can’t decide whether or not to keep something, ask for advice. Listen to the answer and go from there.
3 – Counter Top Clutter
Have you ever noticed how quickly a clean countertop can become cluttered? This is especially true if several people live in your home. When it comes to the kitchen, many organization gurus advise you to relocate everything on the counter except the small appliances you use on a daily basis. Think coffee pot and toaster. Other items like cookbooks, canisters, spices, and appliances used less often are better suited for cupboard or pantry storage.
4 – Make a ‘RETURN’ Bin
Purchase a large plastic bin and keep it out-of-the-way, but central, location. Designate it the temporary home for items that end up where they don’t belong. Ask each family member to look through the bin at the end of each day. This makes it more convenient for them to return their belongings to the proper place.
5 – Take the 5-5-5- Challenge
The 5-5-5 challenge is a great way to get the kids involved in the task of tackling clutter. Of course, this method also works just as well for adults. Choose a couple of days a week to do the following; Find five things to donate, five things to throw away and five things to return to where they belong. You’ll be surprised by how quickly the clutter begins to disappear. On days you feel more energetic you can up the number as high as you like.
These are just a few easy tips to tackle clutter. Probably one of the most important things to remember is this. Don’t let clutter overwhelm you. If you give in to it, it makes it that much more difficult to clear it out.
You’re much better off concentrating on one room or area of your home at a time. Once it’s clutter free, take a few minutes a day to maintain the biggest trouble spot. This is the easiest way to kick litter to the curb, once and for all!
6 – Find A Home For The Toys
For most family households kids toys can be an issue. Over time, children’s toys build up and if you allow it, your kid’s toys will soon take over your house. So, in order to keep toys at bay and from dominating your household implement a storage and rotational system that works for you and your kids.
Buy large, clear, plastic storage boxes. Store all the toys the children are not playing within those boxes and label the boxes clearly. Keep a certain number of boxes/baskets full of kids toys in the designated toy area/s around the house and make sure those containers do not overflow. Once you see them start to overflow. It’s time to put some toys away. You judge this by seeing which toys your children are playing with and which ones they have lost interest in.
Every couple of weeks it’s great to look through all of the toy containers around the house and change over the toys. This way your kids are constantly interested in their toys and you can do a quick check and audit of all the toy clutter.
I hope these tips and they have inspired you to look through the items in your home and decide what you really need and what you are unnecessarily holding on to.
Love this post? Pin it for later!
Like the idea of the 5-5-5 challenge, tackling clutter a small bit at a time doesn’t seem so daunting.
I HATE clutter so this post is right up my alley. What a wonderful way to get rid of it! I love the 5-5-5 idea.
yes, the 5-5-5 idea is great 🙂
I admit that my counter tops are what get cluttered the fastest. Especially the kitchen ones. Why does everything gravitate there? LOL
Yes, countertops can become a problem Elizabeth. It’s just such an easy place to throw stuff on!
Oh I have a clutter problem for sure but I am looking to start chipping away from it. My plan is to do a little bit each day. I am going to try the 5-5-5 challenge with my son. Now if only I could figure out how to tame the school paper clutter I have. lol
A little each day is best Christine. If you try and do it all at once it will get far too overwhelming. Good luck!
Whew, I needed this reminder and these tips! My parents are coming to visit and we need to de-clutter! These are great tips to help me get started!
Great tips! I can’t stand clutter, and literally feel physically uneasy when junk has accumulated all over the house. I especially love the idea of a centrally located “Return Bin”. Thanks for sharing!
I hate it also Cait but have to try and not let it get to me too much because I have a 2 and 3 year old… only so much one can expect from toddlers. Haha. The return bin is my best friend!
Great tips. I needed this.
these are great ideas for cutting down on clutter! i wish i could keep my kids’ things organized. i actually just looked ayt my boys’ room this morning, and thought about getting rid of almost every toy in there. they don’t play with anything anymore. they just pull it out, and make a mess.
This is my life’s frustration also Lorrin. Definitely get rid of toys if you find your children have outgrown their toys or show absolutely no interest. Otherwise store them away. You can also see if a few friends are wanting to get rid of toys and maybe do a toy swap. This will get them interested again. Sometimes to avoid the clutter though, it is best to get rid of toys because you accumulate so many it’s incredible!
The hardest thing for me is the closet. Especially as someone who has had issues with weight flucuation because it’s like, I don’t want to have to buy all new clothes if I drop 20 pounds or gain 10. But it’s important to declutter. I’m moving in December so I’m trying to do a little at a time.
I agree Dia, I am the same. What I do to deal with this issue is only keep out the clothes that fit me and then store away the clothes that don’t fit me in plastic boxes in order or size. So then if I drop or gain weight I pack away what no longer fits and bring out what does it. Store the boxes wherever you can fin a place for them. I usually store in the attic, garage or if the house I’m living in has it, under the stairs. Hope that helps 🙂
I definitely agree it is easier to get motivated if you have someone with you.
Definitely Kari! It can be really fun with a friend or a family member you get along with.
Thank you for these helpful tips! I need to try the 5-5-5 challenge and I also love the idea of buying large boxes and storing some of the toys away. Lord knows how many toys my three kids have and sometimes they don’t even play with half of them!
Mine are the same Ros! It’s amazing how much you accumulate! So happy these tips have give you some ideas.