Importance of decluttering
If you want to reduce your stress level, you might want to start decluttering and organizing your home. Decluttering your home can declutter your mind or at least prevent you from being distracted by piles of disorganized or unwanted items.
But the decluttering process isn’t just good for your mental health. When items in your home start to accumulate, so can dust, bacteria, and even mold and mildew. These can create respiratory problems, especially for children and the elderly.
Home decluttering tips
There’s no right or wrong way to go about the decluttering process. But sometimes it can be hard to know where to start — or how to stay focused throughout the process. Here are some basic decluttering tips to get you started:
- Make a decluttering checklist to set goals for yourself
- Focus on one room in your home at a time
- Set a timer and spend just a few minutes each day decluttering
- Make a plan for disposing of unwanted items
- Get your family involved in the process
Above all, don’t forget — the goal is to reduce your stress level. Don’t let the actual process of decluttering make you feel more stressed than you did before. Following these tips can keep you motivated and focused.
Creating a home decluttering plan
When you’re ready to declutter, you might start by creating a “declutter your home” checklist. Take advantage of our checklist below or download for free here.
On the other hand, you can create a printable declutter checklist using your own word processor, which allows you to add details that are unique to you or the room you’re focusing on.
It might also help to organize your decluttering checklist by room. For example, your checklist might have one plan for your bathroom and another plan for your living room. Try to focus on one room at a time — this will help you maintain momentum as you declutter your home.
Decluttering room-by-room
Every room will have its own plan, though you might organize all of your rooms into one ultimate decluttering checklist. For each room, sort items into three piles – those you want to keep, those you want to donate or sell, and those you want to discard.
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- Old magazines
- Artwork or decorative items, such as pillows
- Unused or outdated electronics
- Movies and media you no longer use
- Furniture that takes up unnecessary space
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- Cleaning out the junk drawer and cabinets
- Getting rid of excess cookware or dishes
- Disposing of any expired items from the pantry
- Disposing of any cleaning supplies you don’t use
- Reorganizing the refrigerator magnets
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- Unused electronics and cables
- Clean out office supplies
- Decorative items such as plants, mugs and pictures
- Digitize work notes and important mail
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- Cleaning out the medicine cabinet
- Discarding unused or unwanted cosmetics
- Disposing of old hair brushes
- Discarding unwanted cleaning products
- Reorganizing the area under the sink
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- Clear out any shelves or storage spaces
- Discard empty or unused laundry products
- Clean out any laundry baskets or bins
- Clean out lint traps and dryer vent
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- Organize by categories – such as tools, sports equipment, gardening, camping gear, and holiday decorations
- Discard empty or unused supplies
- Outdated sports equipment
- Consolidate similar items into shared containers
All of these tips might be included in your ultimate declutter checklist. But don’t try to tackle too much at once. Stick with one room at a time and make your way through your house until you’re clutter-free.
Selling or donating unwanted items
What should you do with your unwanted items? You basically have three options: sell them, donate them, or toss them entirely.
For starters, you can throw out anything that is immediately perishable, anything that’s already open, or any personal grooming items. This includes things like:
- Expired food
- Unwanted cleaning products
- Hairbrushes or razors
But you may have other items that can be either sold or donated, depending on the item and its condition. Before you get started, contact your local charity to see what types of items they accept. Not all donation centers accept things like clothing, linen, or even furniture.
Learning these guidelines will help you create a plan for the actual decluttering process. You can use different cardboard boxes to gather items to donate, items to sell, and items to throw away.
Organizing your remaining items
Once your unwanted items are out of the house (or at least packed into the appropriate boxes), it’s time to get organized. If it helps, you might consider purchasing a small bookshelf for the living room or a closet organizer to keep your clothes tidy in the bedroom or hall closet.
Consider doing the following:
- Organizing blankets and throw pillows
- Stacking and organizing books
- Using small baskets for remote controls
- Keeping plates and cookware in distinct cabinets
- Using labels on select drawers and closets to keep things organized
Make sure to get your family or roommates involved in this step. That way, everyone will be on the same page about where things belong.
Maintaining a clutter-free home
This decluttering checklist might make it seem like decluttering is a major, one-time event. But you can actually make it a regular priority. At least once per year, go through your home room by room to identify items that you can toss, donate, or sell.
Making decluttering a regular habit can prevent things from piling up over time and keep you free from clutter — not to mention stress.
Taking the stress out of finding a home
We hope this guide can help you get more enjoyment out of your current home, but if you’ve ever thought about moving, we can help you explore financing options. To get started, contact our team today or start the online application process.
