How to get rid of clutter?

How do I get more organized when I have a hubby who likes to keep everything (You never know when you need it) Small home no storage so every nook and cranny is full. HELP!!!!icon

  7 answers
  • Holly Kinchlea-Brown Holly Kinchlea-Brown on Jul 22, 2017

    can you dedicate a space just for his 'stuff'? Build an enclosed shelf unit to cover it up and if he runs out of space, something has to be used or tossed

  • Joanie Joanie on Jul 22, 2017

    Have a talk about Goodwill........go threw everything that is useful. Pitch the junk or have a yard sale........You know about another man's treasures! Make someone else happy and a few bucks on the side. Helpful, I try???

  • Nancy Turner Nancy Turner on Jul 22, 2017

    Make him keep his "stuff" in the garage. You can also throw things when he is not looking if you know it is something that will never be used again.

  • Bas21389866 Bas21389866 on Jul 22, 2017

    Plastic containers...label each container...

  • Nat28210090 Nat28210090 on Jul 22, 2017

    LOL I think they know every piece of stuff they own!! be thankful he's not a farmer only problem is they know they have it but just where?

  • Marie Banti Marie Banti on Jul 22, 2017

    I agree every few months or so I go and clean out my husbands stuff and throw out and then try and organize it. so far he has never noticed. LOL

  • Molly Anmar Molly Anmar on Jul 22, 2017

    You have to negotiate some agreement with him or you'll end up with a hoarder house complete with flat cats.


    People with scarcity thinking refuse to part with clutter out of fear that they will not have or will not have enough of the goods and items they might need at some future time. Result: Drawers filled with folded aluminum foil and stacked egg cartons, garages drowning in bent nails and broken tools.


    These are some things you might talk to him about:


    A. Toss items that are broken, stained, ripped, outdated or have missing parts. Some examples include:

    1. Expired food/ food containers/ used aluminum foil or Ziploc baggies

    2. Restaurant receipts that aren't tax deductible

    3. Broken electronics, appliances and games

    4. Old makeup and broken jewelry

    5. Broken kids' toys

    6. Old craft supplies

    7. Worn-out clothing and linens

    8. Archaic electronics (why does ANYBODY need to hold on to that old 8-track?)


    B. Give or donate any items that you no longer need but that are still in good condition. If you can't let go of a sentimental piece, snap a photo of it to help free your attachment.


    C. Paper clutter is the hardest to control, but you just have to find a place for all important documents. Follow these tips to help you get started:

    1. Enter information from business cards into a digital contact list, and toss the hard copies.

    2. Come up with a system to file bills and important paperwork. Place all warranties together with the receipt attached in one 3-ring binder alphabetically, for example. Discard any belonging to items you no longer own.

    3. Oops purchases? Make any needed store returns, and discard those receipts.


    D. Since you have a small home and space is at a premium, make a pact that nothing new will come IN until something old goes OUT.