De-cluttering Tips and Tricks

De-cluttering Tips and Tricks

De-cluttering is the first thing you have to do before you can begin maintaining in any Touch Zone. When you de-clutter, think in terms of throw away, give away and put away. We still want you to spend just 15-20 minutes in each area of the Touch Zones but not more than 20 minutes. Don’t forget to set a timer so you will stop at your time limit.

We suggest getting a trash bag, and 2 boxes labeled give away and put away. We are GREEN and suggest using a fabric box with handles on the side instead of a cardboard box, but you should use what you have just to get started.

Spend 15 – 20 minutes in each area of the Touch Zones filling your trash bag with trash and items you can’t give away to a charity or put away some place in your home. Once the trash bag is filled, THROW IT AWAY. Don’t look at what is in the bag or question your decision. Fill one box with items that belong in another room. Once the box is filled, take it to each room in your home and put away all the items in the box. Fill the last box with items you don’t use or love and can give those items to charity. Also, don’t wait to donate the items. The longer they sit in your home, the more you are apt to find a new place in your home for them. Don’t forget your tax credit for giving items to charity. Use this program to keep track of what you are giving away and include a picture for the IRS, just in case.

http://www.itsdeductableonline.com/

Here are some great tips to stop clutter and start de-cluttering.

Always start at the door or at an entrance to the room

The door or entrance is a good place to start as it is easily remembered. You can work clockwise or counter-clockwise, either is fine. The trick is to work around the room without skipping items, piles, drawers, shelves, whatever is next in your path. No cheating!

2. Things to ask yourself when de-cluttering?

Have I used this item in the past year? (Think about a 1-year box)
It this paper trash or an important document?
Do I have something that works better than this item?
Do I need two of this item or is one just as good?
Do I love this item or am I indifferent? If indifferent, consider giving away
Does it have sentimental value that causes me to love it?

3. Don’t allow things into the house in the first place

It doesn’t matter if you have started to de-clutter or not. The easiest way to stop increasing clutter is to stop bringing things home and don’t wait – stop NOW. If you only start one habit at a time, stop bringing home “stuff.” When you instill the ‘”no-more-stuff” habit, it will be easier to start a new habit – “de-cluttering.”

4. Use the “one in, two out” rule

When you bring in an item, you have to throw away or give away two other items. Don’t cheat by throwing away trash when you bring in another desk. It should be “like” for “like.” All items should be similar.

5. Make your storage space smaller

Think back to your first place. You didn’t have a lot of room and likely didn’t have a lot of stuff. As you moved from your first place into a bigger place, you gather more stuff. Clutter attracts clutter and if you have a lot of storage or storage space, you’ll fill it with stuff.

6. Clothing rule

If you haven’t worn an item in 6 months, sell or donate it.

7. The One-Year Box

As you are going through each Touch Zone in your home, de-cluttering as you go, you will likely find things that you are unsure about. You are not sure you should give away the item and you are not sure it has a place in your home and you should keep it because you “might need this someday….” When you find yourself in that situation, take all of those items that you unsure about getting rid of and put them in a box or storage container (not a clear storage container), seal it with tape and date it for 1 year in the future. When the date comes, and you still didn’t need to open it to get anything, donate the box WITHOUT OPENING IT. You probably won’t even remember what there was in the box.