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Clean Sweep: How to Declutter Your Home

Barry Stanny • Sep 08, 2021

Is your home cluttered and crowded with excess stuff ? You’re not alone. In fact, 80 percent of the items that people keep in their homes are never used, and consumers spend $2.7 billion every year replacing things they can’t find.

a room filled with lots of boxes and baskets .

Rather than waste space with items that they don’t need and want, more and more people are choosing to adopt a minimalist lifestyle; one that emphasizes living a simpler life with fewer things to clean, organize, and pick up.

It’s definitely an appealing idea.

But if you start to think about the concept of decluttering your home, it’s hard to even know where to begin.

Are you wondering how to declutter your home? Here’s your guide to creating a home that’s not as messy, that requires less cleanup time, and that provides you with the peace and respite you’re searching for when you walk through your door at the end of the day.

Decluttering: Getting Started

We attach emotional value to the items we hang onto; the jeans we loved that have long since gone out of style or don’t fit anymore, or heirloom pieces passed down from previous generations. Decluttering your home doesn’t mean you have to give up everything you own; it just means making choices about what’s most important, and what you can let go of (For the record, you can ditch the old jeans. Keep the heirlooms if you like.).

Even still, it can be hard to know what items you no longer need. Or, you may become quickly overwhelmed. It may help to take before-and-after pictures to track and enjoy your progress as you go, but it also helps to have a roadmap to know how to get there. Here are a few methods and techniques to try so you don’t lose steam.

Start Small

You can begin by spending a mere 5 minutes a day decluttering. That can mean putting things away, deciding what items you no longer need, or just tidying one corner at a time. And if that feels good? You can move on to finding one (or even two) items per day to give away, sell, throw away, or donate. Just one item per day amounts to 365 fewer things to clean, put away, and store in your home, and ridding your home of two items per day adds up to 730 fewer items in your home by the end of one year! That equals less junk, less mess, and less time spent organizing it all.

Use the Five Basket Method

If you’re looking to clear out your spaces, you don’t need a bunch of fancy tools or designer organizational bins. You can start by labeling 5 separate boxes or baskets , set out for these purposes:

Put away: Things that have left their proper home and need to go back to their designated storage spot.
Recycle: Paper, plastic, or glass items that can go out to your recycling bin.
Mend: Items that need a bit of love, cleaning, or repair before they get put away.
Trash: Things that can go in the trash right away
Donate: Items you can donate to another person or charitable organization—things you could actually imagine another person wanting or needing.

As you move from room to room, bring these bins with you or leave them in a central location in your home so they are accessible as you work.

Create a Checklist

When you’re in the thick of decluttering, it’s easy to feel like you have to tackle it all at once or that there’s just too much to do. You can parcel out your decluttering process by writing a checklist and prioritizing what’s most important to declutter first.

Clear Off Flat Surfaces

It’s easy for clutter to accumulate on counters, tables, and nightstands , but this makes your home feel messy and crowded with unnecessary items. To declutter your flat surfaces, put everything on the floor, then only add back the essentials. Everything else can get put away, donated, tossed, or recycled. The next task? Keep these surfaces clear!

Take Advantage of Under-Utilized Storage Areas

In New York and surrounding areas, space is at a premium. Smart under bed storage solutions, loft spaces, or wall spaces in closets are a great way to hide away off-season gear or items you don’t use frequently. These rid your eyeline of unnecessary clutter and maximize your home’s potential.

Make the Most of Professional Cleaning Services

If you’re still stuck wondering how to declutter your home or looking for some extra assistance, perhaps it’s time to employ professional house cleaning services. DLL Cleaning Services is a fully insured and bonded cleaning company that can help you with a wide range of services including residential cleaning services, an apartment and condo cleaning service, plus deep house cleaning services when you need extra help.

Throughout New York, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Yonkers, and the surrounding areas, DLL Cleaning is happy to help you achieve the peaceful solitude at home you deserve. Discover our stellar reviews from happy homeowners and renters, then request a quote today to see how we can help you declutter your home with our residential and custom cleaning services!

The post Clean Sweep: How to Declutter Your Home appeared first on DLL Cleaning Services .

1. What is the 20 20 20 Rule for Decluttering?

The 20 20 20 rule is a strategy to break down decluttering tasks into manageable time increments. It involves focusing on decluttering for 20 minutes, taking a 20-minute break, and repeating this cycle thrice. This method helps avoid burnout and makes the decluttering process more sustainable.
2. What is the 12 12 12 Challenge?

The 12 12 12 challenge is a decluttering game where you aim to find and discard 12 items to throw away, 12 items to donate, and 12 items to return to their proper places. The challenge encourages individuals to simplify their living spaces by deciding about various possessions.
3. How Do You Declutter a Whole House in a Day?

Decluttering an entire house in 1 day can be challenging but is possible with focused effort. Begin with areas with the most clutter, set specific goals for each room, and enlist help if available. You can use the 20 20 20 rule or the 12 12 12 challenge to stay organized and efficient.
4. Where Do You Declutter First?

It is often recommended to declutter areas that have a significant role in your daily life. The bedroom, kitchen, or living room can be your top priority. Beginning with smaller, manageable spaces can build momentum and make the process seem less overwhelming.
5. What is the Rule of 5 Decluttering?

The Rule of 5 involves getting rid of five items every day. This consistent, manageable approach helps prevent clutter from accumulating over time. It's a simple yet effective strategy for having a clutter-free environment.
6. How to Declutter Your Home Fast?

To declutter your home quickly, focus on high-impact areas, set a timer for short bursts of intense decluttering, and make swift decisions about items. To instantly improve your living area, give attention to things that are used regularly and are visible.
7. How to Start Decluttering Your Home?

Begin decluttering by setting clear goals, creating a plan, and gathering necessary supplies such as boxes and trash bags. Work with a small, manageable area to build momentum and gradually work through each room.
8. What Should I Remove First When Decluttering?

Consider removing items that are no longer functional, haven't been used in a long time, or don't bring you joy. Work with obvious clutter like old magazines, broken items, or duplicates.
9. What is the Fastest Way to Declutter and Clean a House?

The fastest way to declutter and clean a house involves focusing on one task at a time, enlisting help, and setting a timer for each task. Stay organized with designated areas for items to keep, donate, or discard.