If you’re thinking books everywhere, candles on every surface, beauty and skincare products galore, clothes to last for eons, then you’re talking about my house a couple months ago. Every six months or so I tend to do a massive clean out and declutter because as fast as I take things out, I bring them in. My apartment then quickly feels heavy and claustrophobic again.
You don’t have to be a minimalist, nor do you need a book (although I heard this one is awesome) to tell you how to declutter and have a junk free home. You just need some time and a little plan. Read on for 20 simple ways.
How to declutter and create more positive space in your home
- Tupperware containers without a lid – how often do you use them? Most times they just come tumbling out of the cupboard. Donate them.
- Stained and battered kitchen cloths – I know, I love mine too, but do we really need them all?
- Shopping bags – I have a million bags that I get from every store. I no longer take bags at the grocers.
- Ketchup/soy sauce/ mustard packs – You more than likely will never use them.
- Leftover and expired food – This speaks for itself. It just picks up space in the fridge and makes a stink.
- Kitchen & Medicine Cabinets – empty them, toss what’s been there too long or what you no longer need, then repack.
- Towel cupboard – toss those towels that are torn and tattered. Roll or fold neatly the ones that remain. I keep my face and hand towels in this.
- Socks without a match – find another way to use them or toss them out.
- Clothes and shoes that don’t fit or no longer in use – there are many organisations that would gladly take them off of your hands.
- Old files/books/devices that don’t work – this is always a tough one for me because I always think I’d need it one day. I never do.
- Below the kitchen sink – This is a place where things can go and never see the light of day again. It’s a good idea to do a thorough check ever so often.
- The mail pile – I don’t know anyone who doesn’t have an overflowing mail pile. I go through and shred what is no longer needed every couple of months.
- Old receipts – I always keep these, just in case, but they always pile up. Ones that are no longer needed for warranty or returns can be thrown out. If that’s too unnerving, they can be scanned and kept digitally.
- Old magazines – Getting rid of my Cosmopolitan magazines was hard! I kept one or two for my coffee table though. Much less dusting and reorganizing needed in that area.
- Expired makeup and skincare items – who knew makeup expired? But it does, and so does skincare items. These can actually be harmful when expired. Check your pile every six months or so.
- Empty perfume and cologne bottles – I shouldn’t preach this because I have quite a number on my dresser. All they do really is collect dust. Time to get rid of them.
- Old DVDs (if you still have those) – you can find anything on the internet nowadays. Most times either free or for a very small fee. Trust me when I say you no longer need these. Unless its something of sentiment of course.
- Extra hangers – Donate or pass along to friends and family. I recently bought these ones to make my closet look a little more organised and cohesive. My clothes no longer slip off!
- Clean up and organise under the beds – We all know what I’m talking about. We always mean to do it but we never do.
- A worthy mention is dryer sheets. They create so much waste, isn’t the best for your clothes and kind of ends up everywhere. Try these instead.
It sounds like a lot but it doesn’t have to be done in one shot. Give it a try!
What have I missed out? How do you declutter?
……thanks for stopping by!
P.S ~ 10 Things I’m Loving – August || Minimalism – How I Found Joy Living With Less
