QUICK
CLUTTER CONTROL 10 TIPS FOR A TIDIER HOME
by
Colleen Moulding
1.
Whenever you have a few minutes to spare put away five
or ten items that are not in their correct place. These
could be toys that the kids have left somewhere, letters
that need filing away or odd socks that need putting in
a drawer.
2.
Dump junk mail the moment you receive it. Deal with
other mail at least once a week filing away what you
need to keep in an indexed concertina file, card or
plastic file wallets or even large brown envelopes.
3.
The five boxes method. This will clear clutter from any
room or area of the house, but can look awful while in
progress. Set aside a time when you won't be disturbed,
put on a tape of upbeat music and have a treat in the
fridge for lunch. First job is to label the boxes -
Rubbish, Give Away/Sell, Keep, Sentimental and Not Sure.
You then go through everything in the area consigning
each item to one of the boxes. Theoretically, by the
time you have got rid of the Rubbish and Give Away/Sell
boxes, you should have enough space to store the
Sentimental and put the Keep items back in an orderly
way. The Not Sure box should be sealed up, stored in
basement or attic and if not needed after six months or
one year, given away unopened, so that you're not
tempted to keep the contents all over again.
4.
Be ruthless. If you haven't used an item in the last two
years you are not likely to need it again. Do you really
want a clutter free, streamlined home or not?
5.
If you can't face an entire room, break the job down
into manageable tasks - the kitchen junk drawer, the
letter pile, the hats, coats and shoes area. That way
you won't be put off decluttering as just too big a
task.
6.
Treat yourself to items that make staying tidy easier.
Cardboard storage boxes are great for sewing and craft
items, Christmas decorations, treasures that your
children have made. Plastic or fabric hanging shoe bags
are perfect for storing small toys and dolls or for hair
brushes, clips, cosmetics and toiletries. Invest in some
of those drawer dividers that separate drawers into a
dozen little compartments - but don't fill them with
junk!
7.
Clean and put away fifty per cent of your ornaments. Not
only will this give your home a more modern minimalist
look, you will get your dusting done in half the time.
8.
Consider enlisting the help of a family member or friend
to be your organizing buddy. She helps you with your
house - you help with her clutter disposal. Hearing
yourself try to explain why you need a whole kitchen
cupboard full of plastic containers can help you get
them into that Rubbish box.
9.
Don't keep buying things. Stop and think, do I really
need this and have I got somewhere to keep this? Some
people work on a one in, one out system, i.e. if you buy
a new sweater, toy for the children etc. then one goes
to the charity shop or is given to a friend.
10.
Don't give up. It will take time. All the clutter didn't
come into your home in one day and you won't get rid of
it all in one day. Keep on sorting, dumping, tidying and
labeling, cut back on bringing new clutter home and it
is a battle that can be won. You will have more time, a
neat home and less stress as a reward for your efforts.
©
Colleen Moulding 1999
Colleen
Moulding is a freelance writer based in the South of
England. She is also owner/editor of All That Women
Want.com <http://www.allthatwomenwant.com>
a magazine, web guide and resource for women everywhere.
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