My aunt is coming for Easter. I have decided to deep clean the house. But before that, I need to declutter every room. That one crucial task that should never be ignored. A cluttered home always makes cleaning harder. You need space to ensure every surface gets the attention it deserves. Decluttering is about creating a more organized space that allows for easier cleaning and a fresh start.
So there is no doubt that decluttering should be your first step before regular cleaning. Once this step is done now I can move forward to deep clean house. During decluttering, I have observed and tried many tips and tricks to declutter the space. Let me share my favorite tip to declutter the house so let’s dive in.
Tackle One Area at a Time
Rather than focusing on decluttering the entire home start with a small area. A closet or desk and break it down into manageable tasks. Always starting with a small area allows you to see progress quickly as it’s a quite long tiring task. So you need motivation to keep going. This approach is called the ski slope method moving from side to side from the top of the room to the bottom.
- You start with a small area or a specific category of items, like your room closet.
- The goal is to make fast decisions and avoid overthinking.
As you work, maintain the momentum by moving to the next area once you finish the current one. Think of it as descending a ski slope—starting small and then smoothly transitioning from one area to another. Your space will start to clear up in a way that feels manageable and less overwhelming.
Utilize Vertical Space
The best approach is to use vertical space by installing shelves or hanging racks for short space. In the kitchen, wall-mounted shelves can hold jars or small kitchen gadgets. This will create more space on the counter and cabinet. You can also hang pans and utensils on hooks to save drawer space. I searched for ideas on how to maximize vertical space, and this is what I found.
- Install Shelves for books, décor, or kitchen essentials.
- Use Tall Storage Units for clothes, accessories, or supplies.
- Hanging Storage for bags, hats, or tools.
- Organizers on the backs of doors for shoes or cleaning supplies.
- Elevated beds or furniture for storage underneath.
Expired Pantry Items
An overloaded pantry makes it difficult to find what you need. Go through your pantry regularly and remove expired or rarely used items. Consider organizing your pantry by category (e.g., baking supplies, canned goods, snacks) to make items easier to locate. If there are expiry items in the refrigerator throw them away as well. Here’s how you can handle them:
- Regularly inspect items in your pantry for expired or outdated products.
- Safely dispose of any expired food items to avoid contamination or health risks.
- Place newer items at the back and older items in front. So you use them before they expire.
- If they’re still within a safe timeframe but you won’t use them. Just donate unopened items to food banks or shelters.
Clear Countertops for a Clean Look
Cluttered countertops can make your kitchen feel chaotic. Start by removing unnecessary items from your countertops. Keep only the essentials like a coffee maker, a fruit bowl, or a cutting board. Store everything else in cabinets or drawers to maintain a functional space. Before a professional maid cleaning service comes to clean what you need to do
- Take away unnecessary items that you don’t use daily,
- Create Designated Storage to Store items like cutting boards or mixers in drawers to free up space.
- Use Tray Organizers to keep them organized while maintaining a tidy look.
- Keep decorative items minimal to avoid overcrowding the counter.
Use the 80/20 Rule
The 80/20 rule suggests that we use only 20% of our possessions 80% of the time. Take a good look at your items and determine which things you truly use and love. Anything that doesn’t fall into that 20% should be kept or thrown away. That is called the four-box method approach. This approach helps to reduce clutter significantly. Let’s Set up four boxes together and label them as:
- Keep: Items you want to keep and use.
- Donate: Items in good condition that you no longer need.
- Trash: Items that are broken or unusable.
- Relocate: Items that belong in another room or space.
10-10 Decluttering Method
I like the 10-10 regular decluttering method. This approach is simple and time-efficient. The idea is to spend 10 minutes each day removing 10 items from a space that needs tidying up. Here’s how it works:
- Set a timer for 10 minutes to focus on a specific area in your home.
- Remove 10 items that you no longer need including old clothes or random clutter.
- Continue this routine for several days by choosing different areas to work on.
It’s a great strategy for those who want to declutter but struggle with finding large chunks of time. I tried 10-10 regular cleaning methods for this work as well and I completed the house cleaning within 30 min.
Packing Party
Since my sister travels a lot, she prefers using the Packing Party method when moving. This approach helps her declutter before a move. So she only brings items she truly needs or loves to her new home. Instead of making quick decisions about what to keep or toss, she packs everything first and then only unpacks what she uses or values.
This makes the moving process much smoother, as it reduces the amount of stuff she has to transport. It also saves time and energy, as she doesn’t have to deal with clutter once she settles into her new space. After that, she hire Move In Move Out Cleaning service to deep clean the house. Overall, the Packing Party method allows her to travel light and stay organized.
One-In & One-Out Rule
Whether it’s for special occasions or a professional house cleaning service decluttering your space helps you create more room. So this time before shopping I follow the One-In-One-Out Rule. A simple decluttering strategy where you commit to removing one item from your home every time you bring a new item in. For every new item you buy or acquire, you must get rid of one item of a similar size or category.
This helps prevent clutter from building up by ensuring that your possessions remain at a manageable level. It encourages you to think carefully before acquiring new things, as you’ll have to part with something you already own.
Stay Organized
While looking for decluttering tips I noticed many people suggest maintaining the space after a deep declutter to ensure consistent results. Just like after a deep cleaning, people prefer to maintain their home before a professional visit. It’s essential to stay organized by using containers and labels to keep things in place once you’ve done decluttering.
Assess your belongings regularly to prevent unnecessary clutter from building up again. Make it a habit to donate or sell items you no longer need. This will prevent your space from becoming cluttered again and ensure a consistent, tidy environment. Regular maintenance and donating unused items will keep your home feeling fresh and clutter-free over time.
Clear Out Old Document
While decluttering my sister asked me to clear out some old documents as well. While doing so I realized that it’s an essential step toward maintaining an organized home and optimizing your storage solutions. I did recycle some old paperwork that no longer serves a purpose. Now we all prefer cloud storage and scanning. Clearing out old documents was tiring but made a more functional and less cluttered storage space. So do clear out the old document. This is just a simple decluttering step but it promotes a clutter-free home.
CONCLUSION
Decluttering is an essential step in ensuring your home is organized and ready for a deep clean. By tackling one area at a time or utilizing vertical space, you can transform your living space into a more functional and serene environment.
Decluttering is not just about removing items but also about creating a lifestyle of regular maintenance to keep your home clutter-free. Once the decluttering is complete, you’ll be ready to enjoy a fresh and organized home. Once you are done decluttering, trust A1 Quality Cleaning Services to give your home the sparkle it deserves. They provide the best and most affordable cleaning service in fishers with a customized plan.
