How to DeClutter your Home

Organizing a house full or even a room full of clutter can be a daunting task. Without a simple and foolproof system as a guide, its nearly impossible to make any headway. This Six Box Toss should prove to be the last system you'll ever need.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Five cardboard boxes
• Magic Marker
• Garbage can

1. Label your boxes in this manner: 1.Donate 2.Sell 3.Return 4.Repair 5.Keep 6. Unsure. The last container you'll need is your garbage can. Line the boxes and trash can somewhere where they're all accessible.

2. Use the donate box for toys going to your niece, clothes going to a thrift store or books going to the senior center. It's sometimes easier to part with things if you know that they're going to be used and enjoyed somewhere else.

3. Put things in the 'Sell' box if you are prone to sell only. This is for garage sale items, things to go to a consignment shop or an online auction site. This is just another box of clutter if you don't actually use it for sale. Mark this box with a date three months ahead and if these items aren't sold, they need to go to a good charity instead.

4. Use the 'Return' box for borrowed items, library books, or items that belong to neighbors, friends and family. If you have bought things that need to be returned, toss those in here, too.

5. Put items in the 'Repair' box only if you absolutely know they'll be repaired. Keeping things that may have some use in them is a trap for clutterbugs so the rule of thumb is this: If something just needs a little 'fixing' to be good as new for someone but that someone is not you, the item needs to be thrown or given away. If you've already replaced something, get rid of the old one. If you know of no one or no way to repair something, get rid of that, too.

6. Put things in the 'Keep' box only if you are sure that the item is really of use or value to you. Otherwise, it goes out.
   Use the 'Unsure' box as a last resort. If something seems to defy all the other boxes and you don't want to let it go without thought, put it in here. Mark the box with a date six months away. If you haven't used the item in six months, toss it or give it away.

7. Use your garbage can for everything you don't really need or want. This should be the first place you consider with every single item that you pick up.

Tips & Warnings

• Remind yourself of the good feeling of being generous as well as the great tax write off and the clean house you'll end up with to make yourself let go of things you don't need.
• If everything ends up in your keep and unsure boxes, you will have to start over at step one in six months with another six months of clutter on top of that.

[susu7]

on 11/16/2007 I'm not sure if you're kidding or not...but here goes. Start with one tall skinny box and start throwing things in it. If there seems to be more for the trash heap, put that in there - if there is more for charity, put it there. When that is full, take it to the charity or to the garbage. When you have made a little room, put a second box and do the same. You might do well to have someone you trust help you with this. It can be overwhelming. When I helped a friend, I was amazed at the decades old stuff she had everywhere. She seriously had no room but for her tiny body even in her king sized bed. First we tossed, then we donated, then we made a path...Her living room can now be sat in. God bless you!

[fearlessfox]

on 10/25/2007 Good article....but , what if the clutter is so bad there's no room for the 5 boxes!? :)