Quick
Clutter Control. Ten Tips For A Tidier Home,
Copyright 1999 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 labelling, 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.
About the Author:
Colleen Moulding is editor of All That
Women Want.com the magazine web guide and resource for women
everywhere. Channels for home, parenting, women's business,
working from home, food, fashion, entertainment, kid's
sites, barter, shopping and lots more.
http://www.allthatwomenwant.com
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