- Home >> Lifestyle: Organizers:
Quick Clutter Control
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 kidshave left somewhere, letters that
need filing awayor 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.
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Author: © COPYRIGHT 1999 COLLEEN MOUDLING |
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Colleen Moulding is a freelance
writer based in the South of England. She is also owner/editor
of All That Women
Want.com a magazine, web guide and resource for women
everywhere. Channels for home, parenting, computing, travel,
food, fashion, entertainment, seasonal sites, what kids want,
shopping, books and writing, working from home, women's business,
antiques, something different and lots more.
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ARTICLE POSTED
NOVEMBER 23, 2003 |
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