How do I start the process of decluttering?

My house is a cluttered mess and I dont know where yo start

  8 answers
  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Jul 24, 2019

    Create 3 "piles": Keep, donate, trash.

    The Marie Kondo theory is that if an item doesn't "spark joy" you should get rid of it. However, I don't follow that because I wouldn't have anything to wear. :) Unless it's a special occasion item (holidays, formal wear), if I haven't used or worn in a year I toss it. Do that with everywhere it's a cluttered mess and then you can start to get organized.

    I also go through my closet and try to find at least 1 piece every day that I no longer wear and donate it. I remind myself how blessed I am and so many people are without. This helps me to donate with a grateful heart.

  • Lucky Home Today Lucky Home Today on Jul 24, 2019

    Pic a room and start with 1/4th of it. Clear and declutter before moving onto the next section. Make sure you have a treat aligned up for yourself as you get through each room!


    Make it a daily habit, 10 to 15 minutes, of clearing and putting away clutter from each room. This will help you keep up on the room you've done and as you move onto the next room.

  • Leah Leah on Jul 24, 2019

    Start anywhere. It just seems overwhelming when the whole house is this way. Pick a room you see the most, so when you are done you can see the progress. Set aside and hour or more each day and start. Starting is the hard part. Have two containers. One to put things in that go in another room, and the other for donation or yard sale items. I am sure you know what to do with trash. The container from the other room will keep you in the room you are cleaning, and if something is missing, you can easily check the container. I hope this helps.

  • Lifestyles Homes Lifestyles Homes on Jul 24, 2019

    Touch everything only once.

    Give yourself a schedule on paper.


    Reward yourself when you stay on schedule.

    Hire your niece or that nice young lady that dog sits to help you with things like going through the closet:

    she’s got two sets of cardboard boxes and a clean large trash bag.

    You hand her a piece of clothing and tell her either, Donation, Keep or Trash (or sell), and she puts it in the right container.

  • Cathy Powell Wiley Cathy Powell Wiley on Jul 24, 2019

    Thanks for all the suggestions!

    My biggest problem is getting organized and having space. I have a small home and I feel like I just move things around, there by getting know where.

  • Do the KonMari Method. Keep only what sparks joy. Start with clothing, then books, then papers, miscellany and then sentimental things.

  • Hi Cathy - This is one of my favorite articles on cleaning, organizing and decluttering. It really breaks down the steps of the process, and even includes an interview with TV show Hoarders star Matt Paxton. Hope this helps! Hugs, Holly

    https://pinkfortitude.com/hoarder/

    PS - We have a FREE eBook with recipes for all of my homemade and all-natural cleaners. You can download it here --> https://pinkfortitude.com/thank#GreenClean