6 Expert-Approved Decluttering Tips for a Successful Spring Cleaning
As the days grow longer and the weather gets warmer, you’re probably starting to think about doing some spring cleaning. We know that sometimes the most intimidating part of dealing with clutter is knowing where to start. It can be overwhelming to be faced with a house full of stuff to sort through, but it doesn’t have to be.
We want to help you have your most successful spring cleaning yet with 6 pro tips to make decluttering your home a breeze.
1. Start With a Plan
Before you jump in and get started, take some time to create a plan of attack. Think about which areas of your home need the most attention and prioritize them accordingly. This will help you stay focused and avoid feeling overwhelmed by the task at hand.
Consider breaking your decluttering project into smaller, manageable chunks. You might decide to tackle one room per week or focus on different categories of items, like clothing or kitchen gadgets. Having a clear plan will keep you motivated and on track from start to finish.
2. Adopt the "Touch It Once" Principle
As you sort through your belongings, practice the "touch it once" principle. When you pick up an item, make an immediate decision about what to do with it — keep, donate, or throw out. Avoid creating "maybe" piles that will only lead to more tough decisions and draw out the decluttering process longer than necessary.
Practicing this principle forces you to be decisive and stops you from coming back to items more than once. It may feel challenging at first, but with practice you'll become more confident in your decision-making abilities and speed up the decluttering process.
3. Team Up! Enlist Family or Friends For Help
Decluttering doesn’t have to be a solo mission, it’s perfectly fine to ask for help! Bringing in a second opinion can help make tough decisions easier, especially if you tend to hold onto things you don’t need. Split up your tasks and work together to make decluttering a fun, shared experience.
Try reaching out to a close friend or a few family members that you don’t mind having in your personal spaces. If you don’t feel completely comfortable asking for help outright, offering to buy dinner (or pizza) when everything is done can take some of the pressure off and make decluttering feel more like a hang-out.
4. Embrace the "One In, One Out" Rule
To stop clutter from creeping back into your newly organized home, use the "one in, one out" rule. For every new item you bring into your home, commit to removing one similar item. This simple rule helps maintain balance and stops unnecessary clutter from coming into your home.
Apply this rule to different areas of your home, from your wardrobe to your kitchen utensils. Not only will it keep clutter at bay, but it will also encourage more mindful purchasing habits. Before buying something new, you'll pause to consider whether it's truly necessary and worth replacing an item you already have.
5. Create designated spaces
One of the keys to keeping a home organized is making sure that every item has a designated spot. As you declutter, take the time to create specific homes for your belongings. This will make it easier to put things away and find them when you need them.
Use storage solutions like baskets, bins, and drawer organizers to keep similar items together. Label containers to make it clear where things should go. By giving everything a proper place, you'll be more likely to keep your space organized long after you’ve finished spring cleaning.
6. Implement the 90/90 rule
When deciding what to keep and what to throw out, consider using the 90/90 rule. If you haven't used an item in the past 90 days and don't plan on using it in the next 90 days, it's time to let it go. This rule helps you find items that are no longer serving a purpose in your life.
Of course, there are exceptions to this rule, such as seasonal items or sentimental keepsakes. However, applying this principle to most of your belongings can help you majorly reduce clutter and create a more streamlined living space.