Amazing Decluttering Tips. Organise Your House.
The sheer prospect of getting organized can be absolutely overwhelming—especially if you live in a home with overcrowded bedrooms, overflowing kitchen cabinets, and boxes labeled “Holiday” that are actually filled with soccer balls. We get it, editing down your life is easier said than done. But decluttering can make you feel better mentally, physically, and emotionally. Trust us, it’s absolutely worth it.
To help you get started on your decluttering journey, we have listed below helpful amazing decluttering tips. A cleaner, clutter-free life is just ahead with these ideas!
1. Ask more specific questions than "Should I keep this or toss it?"
There’s typically one question we ask when it comes to decluttering tips: “Should I keep this or toss it?” But you shouldn’t feel pigeonholed into using only this question. While that approach works for some, others feel the panic of a finite answer, which results in postponed decisions, leaving clutter exactly where it is.
You can try asking different questions that will help you get out of feeling stuck, like: “Would I repurchase this item?” “Does this item bring up good feelings or bad ones?” “Does this reflect or represent who I am now?” If the answer to most of those questions is “no,” you should probably mark the item as clutter.
Don’t wait to toss something you know you don’t want. You might not realize it yet, but there is something in your home that you already know you want to toss. So, get rid of it now. You’ll be amazed at how the energy of your space changes just by getting those things out, which then gives you a boost to get out even more things.
2. Don't start something you can't finish.
Organized people start and finish tasks as they go whenever possible. If you find yourself getting distracted while decluttering, reframe the way you see your projects. You don’t have to do it all in one day. Instead, finish the smaller tasks first and resist doing anything part way. Before you know it, you’ll be finishing all the projects you thought you couldn’t!
3. Start with the smallest decluttering tasks first.
With decluttering, it’s always best to start with simpler tasks. Always do the easiest categories or areas first. Then move on to the next easiest thing, then the next. Besides building momentum in your journey, this method also helps you feel more confident in your editing choices when it gets to the really hard, sentimental objects.
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4. Practice the two-minute rule.
Similarly to break up is tidying up into smaller blocks. If something will take less than two minutes to complete, do it, and do it now. While doing it, remind yourself that this is eliminating future duties and stress. Need some examples? This rule works for anything from doing dishes to hanging up clean laundry.
5. Break down your to-do list.
While they do work for some people, to-do lists have a habit of getting out of hand. If you’re starting to feel overwhelmed by yours, break projects down into small sequential steps. Use time limits so that you stay on track and always note deadlines. For even more organization, keep a portable digital copy of your to-do list so you can view it or add to it while you’re on the go.
6. Make split decluttering decisions.
When editing, don’t think too long about anything. That means if something is causing you to doubt yourself, keep it, group it with like objects, and move on. Some things are easy to look at as an individual item and you know whether to keep or get rid of them, and other things are easier when you look at everything you have in that category. Once you have everything in categories, take another look at exactly how much you own and your answer will be much clearer.
7. If it's covered in dust, it's time to go.
If an item is covered in dust, it’s typically regarded as something that either no longer has a purpose to us, or we’ve outgrown. Sometimes, these are the items that have found their way to the back of the closet, like a pair of special occasion shoes. Other times, it’s a piece of workout gear that you bought when you were really into pilates that one summer. Whatever the reason, when we let the items do the talking, it’s clear what stays and what needs to go.
8. Create a command center by your entryway.
We’re willing to bet you’ve had those moments when you do a double-take on your way out the door. To avoid forgetting daily necessities, hang a simple medicine cabinet by your entryway and use it to keep sunscreen, bug spray, extra keys, pens, post-it notes, earbuds, or anything you can think of to get you out the door fast. When you have a central location like this by the door, it keeps clutter from piling up around the house and it will make your mornings much smoother, too.
9. Keep your most helpful documents handy.
If you find yourself returning to a list, file, or document that’s particularly helpful in any aspect of your life, keep it handy. Use desktop file sorters or baskets to organize your files. Or, you can also use your email to preserve your documents in one digital location.
10. Keep a permanent donation box.
Having a donation box at the ready makes it oh-so-easy to quickly declutter those outgrown sweaters and unloved leggings. As soon as your box is full, just empty everything into trash bags and load them into the front seat of your car so you can donate them to a local charity the next time you’re running errands.
11. Have a no-buy month.
One of the easiest decluttering tips is to avoid bringing clutter into your home in the first place, which is why it is suggested to have a no-buy month. During those 30 days, you can buy consumable items, like food, but nothing that can eventually classify itself as junk. A pause in items entering your house can give you an opportunity to thin things out
12. Ditch duplicate utensils.
This one is a pillar of living a more minimalist lifestyle. Not even an octopus needs eight spatulas and 15 wooden spoons. Instead, select your absolute favorites—AKA the ones you always tend to use—and remove the rest. After all, fewer utensils lying around in your drawers make for much less stressful cooking, baking, and cleaning experience.
13. Keep your trash bags in your trash can.
Your trash cans are probably the least of your decluttering worries, but they are ripe with opportunity. It is always recommended people take the trash bags out of the boxes and keep the bags at the bottom of the trash can. This way, you always know that a new trash liner is in close reach when you empty the trash—saving time + saving space = a win for everyone!
14. Hang your long clothes to the left of your closet and your short ones to the right.
Hang your clothes with the longest on the left and the shortest on the right. This helps you feel more positive. As for that spare space you create below the clothing on the right side? Add a small three-drawer dresser or tiered shoe rack to maximize that open space. Or use small cubbies to store bags and purses.
15. Don't ignore under-the-bed storage.
Even the cleanest people probably have a thing or two stashed underneath the bed. It’s an easy place to store the items we don’t need every day. This could do more harm than good. So many people have sleeping issues, and having dusty stuff is not helping. To clean this area out, use a dust rag or paper towel and some cleaning spray. Pull out and wipe down everything from under the bed and go through it all before putting those boxes back.
16. Live like you travel.
When you’re vacationing, you probably only bring the essentials. The best way to think about what you need and what you don’t need at home, too. On the next trip, really look at what you use on a daily basis. The things you didn’t bring when you traveled, you really didn’t need them. So, into the donation bin or garbage, they go!
17. Ask friends for help.
Decluttering doesn’t have to be a solo venture. Everyone has a friend who’s really good at organizing and who’s not emotionally attached to your things. Your friend will be more willing to let go of items that you’re not sure of, plus your closest friends will be able to note the things they’ve seen you wear or use. Or you can also hire a professional cleaner to help you clean the clutter.
You may also visit our recent blogs for more cleaning tips and ideas.
Let us help you! If you want professional cleaning help and might wonder what kind of service you need when you are ready to hire a home cleaning service, come to Good Cleaners Finder for home cleaning services every week or month. We would be happy to help you take care of your home.
You can find Good Cleaners Finder in Basel, Bern, Geneva, Lausanne, Luzern, Zug, Zurich, and everywhere else in Switzerland. If you are looking for a professional cleaner or are unhappy with your current cleaner, contact us and book your cleaner today!
