What methods have you used to get rid of clutter in your home?

Question

I have 3 children under 8 and our house is overrun with toys and clothes. How do you get rid of the mess?

Answer 1

Donate Donate Donate :)

Answer 2

1. Sort all toys and toss anything that is broken
2. Yardsale EVERY YEAR. Get rid of the outdated stuff that the children do not want anymore. Use the money you raise to buy something special (with out last one my son got a tv and a dvd/vcr combo for his room.. it's the nicest one in the house!)
3. No toys in bedrooms. I make sure all toys are in the playroom and returned there before bed each night. (Infant toys are in the living room, but in a big toybox).
4. Stock up on storage bins and toy boxes. Check IKEA for unique storage ideas (wall pockets!)
5. Rotate toys... box everything up and divide into 3. Rotate every four months. They will be more interested in the toys and you don't have to have everything out at once.
6. Hire a housekeeper if you can. Even for 1 hour a week have her come and pick up. Make the kids clean their rooms while she is there.

Answer 3

I totally understand what you are going through. I just did a clutter removal job myself.
Go through and get trash all the broken toys and any ripped clothes. then gather any toys and clothes that they have not played with or worn in the last 4 months, and anything they have outgrown. There are many places that you can call and will come and pick up a donation. Salvation Army, Mel Trotter, Goodwill, etc. Also there is a group on line called Freecycle. It's great. You post your stuff, someone will email you about picking it up, you both set a time and viola' they come and get it.

Answer 4

I go through the toys find ones with pieces missing, broken, colored on,etc throw away.The nicer ones that they don't play with as often put them in yard sale or bag them up and store away and bring them out on a rainy day or as a treat. They forget that they had those toys and are very excited to see the "new" toys. The best time to clean out the toys is when they are at school or just off with friends or family. They will not want you to get rid of anything. I have 4 children. I go through clothes with them there and see what fits, has holes, really worn, or they just refuse to wear...(b/c its not cool) and get rid of the all that excess. My three year old leaves toys laying everywhere and I kept after her to pick them up it got really old...so I bagged up all the toys on the floor and my husband took them to a needy family and they were soooo very appreciative. I hated to take them away, but after a couple of times of that her room stays pretty clean. I didn't feel so bad, b/c the other family really appreciated the toys. Hope this is helpful

Answer 5

I have three children and we live in a small house. So although the two older ones are in there teens; the third is four now. I go through things on a regular basses and get rid of or store (in my shed) anything that isn't being used or played with. I also bought stackable containers in all the same style but different sizes and built shelves all around the bedroom to put them on. This way she only gets one container out at a time; depending on what she wants to play with.

Answer 6

Trash anything thats broken

Donate anything that not been used in the last 6 months (except summer toys that they may use again this summer.

Create a rule that no new toy comes into the house without another toy being thrown away or donated.

(If you'd like to make some cash, substitute yard sale for donation, but anything thats left at the end of the day gets donated)

Answer 7

Buy big plastic containers. 3 different lid colors. Assign a color to each.
Put all of their toys in the containers and encourage them ( with points to be exchanged for prizes) to place their toys in the containers when done.

Use nice baskets with different color linen inside for the bathroom cabinets. Use same method. their things go in the colored basket.

Little kids tend to be less messy if they know where everything goes. Assigning a little drawer in the kitchen for toddlers helps them find things in their own and they will place them back in there so they can find them later.

Have cleaning days with the kids. Put all the unused clothes in bags until the next kid can use them or give away if not longer needed. Points and a time set always keeps them excited ( we'll do this for 2 hours and then we'll do cookies)

Have rules of engagement: enter the house from school and go straight to the coat closet , hang your coat and put shoes in there.
Make it mechanical so you don't have to pick up after them so much.

I hope it helps...

Answer 8

When my daughter is at day care i go through the toy tubs. Anything I havent seen her play with in the last 3 months gets sent to charity or tossed in the garbage. I do this at least 3 times a year. My daughter is 4 btw.

Answer 9

Have the kids go through the toys and box up the ones they dont play with or outgrew. Do the same with the clothing. Have a tag sale or donate to goodwill.

Answer 10

I wish I could get those people here that do the space saver shows and have them show a way. I want to move out on the lawn and re-move back in and burn the stuff I just don't need. LOL.. but I know that will not happen.. it is been just awful since the hurricane and I can't get things in order here like I want and now I have a baby due soon.. UGH!! Good luck on finding a way.

Answer 11

I am a big fan of the Flylady. At her website you can learn great decluttering suggestions including what is called the 27 fling boogie where each day you go into the messiest room in your house and get 27 things to trash / send to your local charity.