How to Declutter Your Home

Learning how to declutter your home is not only good for your physical health but also for your mental health.

Decluttering your home can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be.

How to Declutter Your Home Quick Start

Here are some tips on how to declutter your home in an efficient way.

1) Start with one room at a time and work your way through the house.

2) Sort items into three piles: keep, donate, and discard.

3) Keep only what you need and love in your home.

4) Donate items that you no longer need or use to someone who will use them.

5) Discard anything that is broken or damaged beyond repair.

Why You Should Declutter Your Home

Decluttering your home will give you more time and space to enjoy the things that matter most.

Clutter can be an emotional burden. It can also lead to financial difficulties, and even health problems.

Clutter is a form of what psychologists call “disorder” or “chaos”. It’s not just a physical mess but an emotional one, too.

It’s hard to find anything when you have clutter around, which means you end up wasting time and energy looking for things that should be right in front of you. This can lead to frustration and anxiety.  Clutter can also lead to depression and anxiety because it makes you feel overwhelmed with the mess around you.

The clearing clutter not only clears your mental space, but also your physical space.

You’ll be able to focus better when you don’t have things crowding you or hiding your view.

How to Declutter Your Home in 5 Steps

Decluttering your home is a process that can be done in 5 steps.

Step #1: Start by choosing a defined space.  It can be an entire room, part of a room or closet.

Don’t try to declutter your entire house in a single session.  Instead choose a single space.  Keep in mind how much time you have for this decluttering session.  If you’ve only got an hour, then don’t start with your walk-in closet.

Once you’ve chosen where to start, then start emptying the space.  Get everything out of the space.

Step #2: Sort items into three piles: keep, donate, and discard.

This is the time to identify things you don’t need or use anymore. This includes clothes, books, and other items that are just taking up space in your home. You should also try to keep only the things that you use on a regular basis so they are easy to find when you need them.

Everything goes into one of three piles: keep, donate, discard.

Step #3: Bring the items in the keep pile back into the space.

Step #4: Donate what you don’t need anymore.

To sell or donate, that is the question.  If that’s one you’re facing, then place the donate/sell box aside.  Any items you haven’t sold in 30 days are taken to your favorite charity to donate.

Step #5: Discard anything that is broken or damaged beyond repair.

You might be tempted to keep items that are damaged.  Of course, you’re going to repair them – someday.  Before you hang on to a broken item, see how much it would be to replace it.  If it can’t be replaced, then give yourself a 30 day time limit to complete repairs.

What Items Should You Get Rid of First?

If you’re battling clutter, there are some items that are more likely to be clogging up your space than others.

If your item or items can easily fit in a trash bag and you don’t want them anymore, then put them in a trash bag and take them to the curb!

The following items are some of the easiest to get rid of:

• Old clothes that no longer fit or are worn out. Take these to the thrift store or donate them.
• Books. Sell them if you can at a garage sale, otherwise give them to your local library.
• Old food. If it’s still good (fresh or properly sealed) sell it on Craigslist, donate it to a food bank, or throw in the compost bin.
• Junk mail. Don’t pay for paper that you don’t need and save yourself some money by setting up your own email address.  If you are going to throw things out, make sure they go in the correct trash can. If you don’t know what the garbage or recycling can is for your household, check with your roommate or landlord before throwing anything away.

Some items are harder to get rid of:

• Personal care or household products like cleaning supplies, cosmetics, body lotion, etc .
• Drugs and alcohol
• Electronic devices such as computers

Some items should not be thrown in the trash at all:

• Hazardous materials including those that may be toxic or react with other substances.
• Any item that is perishable or can’t be stored.
• Any item that is sharp, pointy, or has holes in it.
• A broken appliance such as a blender or stove top heater.

Make the Process Easier with These Tips and Tricks

Decluttering your house can be a daunting task. But with these tips and tricks, you can declutter your house without much effort!

1) Start by doing the easy things first. If you have to do laundry or take out the trash, do those tasks first before tackling the really tough stuff.

2) Make a plan of attack. Pick one room at a time and work on it until it is completely decluttered.

3) Keep in mind that any item that you haven’t used in over six months should be donated or thrown away, so don’t waste time moving items around if they don’t need to be there anymore.

Conclusion: The Benefits of a Decluttered Home and How It Can Improve Your Life

In conclusion, decluttering your home is not only good for your physical health but also for your mental health. A clean house can promote a sense of order and calmness, and it can also reduce the risk of developing anxiety or depression.