Let's take a little quiz to see if you have the clutter bug invading your space. Answer "yes" or "no" to the following....
1. Do you have more than one junk drawer in your kitchen?
2. Is your counter space and table top infested with unnecessary things that do not belong in that room?
3. Are the closets filled with clothes, shoes, bags, and random junk?
4. Do drawers not open correctly from being overfilled and things fall out of cabinets when you open them?
5. Can you see the floor and the walls where the furniture isn't placed?
6. Can you find your things?
If you answered yes to any of them, then I am here to help you get back on track! My methods are very easy even if you think you are in over your head. Some things that might make you motivated are:
- Your allergies and getting sick will decrease
- Pests like mice and roaches, won't be a big problem anymore and will be easier to get rid of.
- You will feel fresh and new! Not to mention more relaxed an comfortable!
- More people will want to visit you.
- You can find what you want easier.
- For safety's sake! No falling over things, you can escape if a fire were to happen, or get to safety during a natural disaster.
- Your children deserve to live in a clean, clutter free home! All the things above will make them happier and your home run more smoothly.
There are all kinds of ways you can clear out the clutter, but I picked the most easiest methods that I like to use. I have a problem with getting things out and switching my tasks around and then before I know it, I have an even bigger mess that needs cleaned! I have a method to my madness. I promise. For you reading this, I will make it easy on you by telling you how not to do what I did!
I'm going to tell you how to clean a home that has a big, big problem. This method can also be used for smaller jobs too. Make four signs that read,"Sell, Keep, Trash, Donate." Hang them up in the garage or in the yard in four different spots. You may lay tarps below the signs if you wish.
Once you have done the signs, you are ready to start with your first room. Start with the area closest to the door that leads you out to your signs. I do it this way so the room is clean and as you do other rooms you won't be tripping over stuff to take out to the piles. Take things out a little at a time and separate them into what category you think they need to go in. If you haven't used it in a year or two, sell it if it's not broken. If its broken, toss it!. If you want to donate something, then great for you! Keep repeating this until all the small stuff is empty from that room.
Now that everything is cleared away, it's time to deep clean the room. After you do that, start bringing in the essentials from the keep pile. Clean them off as you put them away. If you run out of room after you get the most important things inside and more is still on the keep pile, it's time to sort again! The things left in the pile are either things that go in another room or you have kept to much and need to get rid of it!.
Repeat this process for every room until you feel comfortable and safe. I know it's a big task, but I promise its the easiest way to complete a big job. This even works for smaller jobs too. I like to do this for spring cleaning once a year.
If you do have a smaller job and you don't want to use the method I was just talking about, then simply organize one thing at a time. Start with a drawer or a closet and go from there. This is the way I usually do it, but for me it ends in a bigger mess. Do it with caution so you don't end up with a head ache, I thought I would share that because it might work for some people.
After all that work, doesn't it feel much more relaxing to sit in your nice, neat home? I know a thought might cross your mind, "I doubt it will stay this nice. I wonder how long it will take for the kids to mess it up?"
Have no worries! Your home will be less cluttered right off the bat if you got rid of things you haven't used in a while. As for your kids, remember you are the parent. Their jobs as kids are to obey you and get good grades in school. Make it a rule that if it doesn't become a priority for them to put their stuff away, then its yours until they work to get it back. By "Work" I'm talking about this amazing earning system. It teaches them responsibility and so much more.
Get a clear bin with a lock on it, If they leave it out then it goes in the bin. They can't have it back until they do the chores on the list you have provided.
Daniel (age 8):
Sort Silverware- 50 points
Take out the trash- 100 points
Rake the yard- 200 points
Fold towels- 50 points
Say to him, "I expect you to do 300 points worth of chores, Then you may have your toy back. If you do it again, then it will be 600 points to get your toy back."
Another way to make them pick their stuff up is to take away a privilege. Get a lock and place it on their tv plug or computer. When they learn to keep their things picked up, you can remove that lock.
If they are pretty young, do the task with them. They learn from you because you are their teacher. Praise them when they do a good job. If your words aren't enough, make a sticker chart and when they fill it up they get a reward! Make a treasure box of cheap toys or books. Or take the chart to the store and hand it to the cashier (hopefully the cashier plays along), and cheer the child on for a job well done.
