Rules In Decluttering

Decluttering is one chore which needs extra doses of industry, patience and ingenuity.  It is easy to get so befuddled at the sight of clutter as to just give up.  Here are some rules in clutter control which you would do well to observe.

Begin with the big stuff.

If you start tackling the small trinkets around the house, the change won’t be very evident.  But if you start removing big clutter like old boxes, broken appliances and damaged furniture, the impact is great.  Start at the big things for more obvious results and you’ll be motivated to keep on cleaning.

Don’t hesitate to throw away trash.

Do the charities a favor.  Throw away trash items rather than give them to charity.  It is reported that charities spend so much time throwing away items that are no longer fit for giving.

Don’t declutter somebody else’s stuff without his permission.

Avoid the hassles of family conflicts brought about by throwing away your spouse’s favorite working clothes or your kid’s comfort toy.  Ask permission from the owner before throwing away anything.

Have plans for your clutter.

If an item can be given away, do so as soon as possible.  If an item is fit for charity, drop it at your favorite charity immediately.  If you think the item could bring in money, sell it at eBay.  If an item is practically useless, throw away without compunction.

Analyze the reasons for clutter.

If you look closely enough at how clutter came about, you will recognize the sources of your clutter.  It could be because you are easily lured into buying something just because it was on sale.  Clutter could also be because you do not regularly sort through your stuff.  Clutter could also be caused by inadequate storage areas or containers.

Be sensible, not sentimental.

We all have different degrees of being a pack rat and there are really some things in life that we should never ever lose, no matter what.  Yet sentimentality needs to be tempered if you are to let your house breathe.  For instance, you need not feel guilty about throwing away your kids’ old test papers or those clothes which do not fit.  Sense should reign over sentimentality.