I want to declutter my house but don't know where to start?

Question

I have a really nice home but I'm not a good housekeeper. My home is clean but always very untidy. Can you help me?

Answer 1

Are you my long lost twin?! LOL

I start in one room. Don't worry about others until 1 is done. Then move on. WHen you get discouraged, go back to that 1 room and enjoy it a bit to rejuvenate yourself.

I make a goal to haul a kitchen garbage bag full of junk each week to charity. I usually do it, sometimes skip one week but do 2 bags the next week. Clothes, books, toys, decorative items, towels, rugs, magazines, whatever. It's amazing what you have and are hanging onto thatyou do not need or want!

Anyway, best wishes! It's a daily struggle! That show on HGTV "Mission Organization" is good, too for tips on organizing and being ruthless about what to discard.

Answer 2

More like the blind leading the blind here.....LOL!

First if it is cluttered, you have stuff that doesn't have a "place." Everything in the home must have a "home". When something is moved from it's home to another spot, it should be returned to it's home. Clothes: if all the clothes, towels, etc were done everything would be in their closet or drawer. No fair using clutter and a temporary storage. If the magazine rack is full, something has to be thrown away before another magazine is added. Hobbies can not be allowed to overwhelm the house. One small area is devoted to hobby and display.

Second, do you really need all your stuff? If you have 10 family pictures around, wouldn't just one or two serve the same purpose? Lighten the load around the house; excess books to library book sale, stuff to Goodwill.

Each child gets a foot locker, full size. In it they keep their life's momentos. Before current momentos can be put away, something has to go. It is cruel, but it works.

Third, before going to bed, tidy up. Each child must put their stuff away.....have a basket for them to collect everything and take it back to it's "Home." Every member of the family does the same.

Fourth, each day clean a room (bathrooms count as one if possible). That way the job isn't overwhelming. Dust, wash windows (it's only one or two), declutter and vaccum or dry dust whichever is appropriate. Most rooms can be done in less than 30 minutes.

After dinner and dishes, clean the kitchen floor. It only takes a few minutes and really helps. Wipe down counters, applicances, sink and wash counter. Put everything back in it's "home."

Answer 3

Start in the bathroom because it's probably the easiest and smallest. You're right, work your way from smallest to biggest, but as you are de-cluttering, bring different boxes with you to help organize the stuff you are removing. For example, one box of stuff to bring to living room, one to dining room, that way as you go, you are sorting at the same time as de-cluttering. This will start off slow, but after a few rooms you'll be quite amazed at how easily it has progressed since you are putting order into your efforts not just moving stuff around. Don't forget to bring a garbage can with you too...

Answer 4

When I get into the 'I don't know where to begin' stage, I go back to http://www.flylady.net/ and try to follow the tips given here. The first step is to start in the kitchen at the sink. I am not a good housekeeper myself, but starting here helps a lot. My biggest problem is with paperwork. I keep everything. Figuring out what to keep and what not to was the second step for me. I wish you the best of luck because it is a life long battle.

Answer 5

Play the "5-items" game.

Everytime you renew your urge to declutter, go through the house and look for 5 items to give, sell or throw away. Make sure you have a strong resolve; once selected, it stays selected.

Never buy something that you already have until you can get rid of the old one.

I hope that helps.

Answer 6

Start in your living room.Clear it.After a few days,clear your master bedroom.Take it a room at a time so you don't feel overwhelmed.Do not start a new room til you have completely cluttered the room you are working on.Once done you are going to feel so relaxed you will love it!

Answer 7

Start at the beginning.. if you are frustrated do the easy things first and then graduate to the harder places .I have found myself in this position with storage rooms and garages.All seemed hopeless but you will get there ,but you have to make a start..

Answer 8

1.Pick a place (closet, cabinet, sink, room, etc)

2. Take out everything till there's nothing there.

3. Wash & wipe it down

4. Put items back. ..But as you put them back, throw the ones you just don't need anymore- (things you have double of, books you can barrow at library so you really don't need them, videos/dvd's you can rent instead of keeping, etc)

And last, don't stress. Just put on your favorite song and just do it!

Answer 9

Peter Walsh (the organizational guru) has a new book called "It's All Too Much".

You may enjoy reading it and put it into practice.

Answer 10

Start in the kitchen. 15 minutes at a time. Set your timer :)