Many people have unintentionally collected items they don’t need over the years, from yard sale purchases to spare utensils and appliances that are kept unused in the kitchen cabinets. If you’ve ever tried to clean out your home from the clutter you no longer need but have failed, here are a few tips and advice on how to do it easily and stress-free in one weekend.
What is decluttering?
Decluttering refers to the process of getting rid of unnecessary items in your home. This can include things like clothes you no longer wear, kitchen gadgets you don’t use, or old documents and papers that are no longer needed. This practice is essentially about simplifying your living space and getting rid of items that are no longer useful or meaningful to you. Decluttering is very useful as it’s typically easier and less stressful to live with fewer possessions. Besides that, your unused items may have more value to someone else.
The first step to successful decluttering is determination. Finding your motivation to clear up your house from the items you no longer need is the key. Afterwards, you need to find a way to stay focused.
Before you start decluttering, make sure you’ve freed up your entire weekend, including Friday night. Decluttering is a time-consuming project, and it’s best if there are no distractions.
Besides that, decluttering and domestic cleaning experts recommend to have someone you can call for help at any time because there may be heavy items you may need to move.
Tips for stress-free decluttering
#1 Stock up on big disposal bags
Purchase heavy-duty garden sacks in different colours to make sorting out and labelling items easier. Additionally, you can also invest in storage boxes and files for office supplies. Cardboard boxes can be used to store books, and zip-lock bags are ideal for clothes, towels and sheets. You can typically find these supplies in supermarkets or local shops.
#2 Set a cleaning timeframe
Setting up a timer will help you stay focused and prevent you from getting tired. 6 hours per day should be enough to complete the project in a weekend. If you need to, divide them into segments with breaks in between.
Besides that, reward yourself with a treat at the end of each day or interval. This can be a chocolate bar or a glass of wine, depending on what will help you stay motivated.
#3 Make a list
Make a checklist of all the rooms in your home you aim to declutter. Start with the one you think will be the easiest to clear up, and only do one at a time. If you’re working on multiple rooms at once, you’ll create more clutter.
#4 Pick a strategy
The best approach to decluttering is to find a system that suits your lifestyle. Keep in mind that even if you want to declutter in a couple of days, sometimes you’ll be limited on time. In this case, divide the work between multiple weekends over a few weeks.
Besides that, declutter in stages to make the process easier. The chances are that you’ll underestimate how much you’ll need to get rid of. Go room by room and category by category.
#5 Sort out rubbish
Divide the things you want to throw away into recyclable and non-recyclable piles. Generally, almost 60% of household waste can be recycled, which includes plastics, paper, wood, cardboard, glass, textile, cans, batteries and other electrical appliances. This will also help you perform a more eco-friendly decluttering job.
To help you with that, you can also keep a donation bin, box or bag somewhere so you always have a place to put things that you’re ready to part with.
#6 Ask yourself these 4 essential questions
There are a few essential questions that’ll help determine if an item should be thrown away:
- Do I use this? If you have to think about your answer, it’s very likely that you don’t need the item.
- Is this product still good? If you notice that the texture, colour, or scent is off, it should likely be discarded.
- Would I still buy this today? Ask yourself if you still like the item.
- Does it help make my life easier? If the answer is “no”, then the item is adding to the clutter in your house.
#7 Pick quality over quantity
Get into the mindset of possessing fewer items. Look only for the ones that are the best quality you can afford, and take time to really understand what’s inside your home, what you use and what you don’t to help you keep it clutter-free and benefit your well-being.
To help you with that, take inventory of your wires, cables and chargers. People often tend to accumulate a lot of these items and end up with a drawer full of tangled cables. They don’t even know which electronics they belong to or if they even work.
Additionally, review your old electrical items. Let go of anything that doesn’t work, or you’ve been meaning to repair, as it’s very unlikely that you will get it fixed.
#8 Wipe out all the surfaces
One of the fastest ways to make your home look less cluttered is to clean all flat surfaces, such as countertops, tabletops and nightstands. While you have all the items out for sorting, give them a thorough scrub and cleaning. Afterwards, add back essential items and only keep out products that you use on a daily basis.
Additional decluttering advice
When you’re decluttering, pay attention to these 5 points:
- Tackle the large items first and then move to smaller ones.
- Get rid of items you haven’t worn or used for a year or more.
- Organise while you’re decluttering.
- Use suitcases, trash or vacuum bags to store off-season clothes.
- Find smart storage solutions.
Once you’re finished decluttering, maintain order by setting aside 5 minutes every day to keep your home tidy and organised. Each item that you’ve kept should have a designated place. Once you start designating spots for specific items, it will become easier to put things back where they belong.
Dispose of rubbish properly
After you’ve sorted the items you want to throw away into piles, take anything that can be recycled to the nearest recycling centre. Besides that, you can do online research and give any footwear, clothes and other functional household items that are still in good condition to charity or friends and family who can use them.
Decluttering can also be an opportunity to gain some financial profit. You can either organise a yard sale or put your items on eBay.
Another thing you can do is call a waste collection and removal service that can pick up anything non-hazardous, such as mattresses, old refrigerators and electrical items, from your house.
Final Words
Decluttering is often a tedious task that requires a lot of energy, and sometimes, a weekend may not be enough to do it all. However, that shouldn’t discourage you. Move at your own pace and ask for help if you need it. Whether you choose to call a friend, a family member, or a professional cleaner is up to you. Last, but not least, make sure to keep your energy levels high by staying hydrated and eating regularly during the process.
