How to Clean an Extremely Cluttered Room

Unclutter your office by placing items in appropriate containers.

Clutter affects many Americans, taking over homes and preventing families from doing the activities they want to do, says organization expert Peter Walsh. It’s important to keep every room in your home clutter-free for organizational and sanitary purposes. When uncluttering a room, Real Simple suggests you start in the top left corner of one wall, and move left to right, top to bottom. This will prevent distractions and organize your uncluttering project.

Things You'll Need

• Four large boxes
• Garbage can
• Marker
• Cleaning solution
• Cleaning cloth
• Vacuum
• Broom
• Mop

Instructions

1. Position four large boxes and a garbage can in the cluttered room. Label each box “Put up,” “Donate/Sell,” “Store” and “Recycle.” The garbage can is for discarded trash.

2. Pick up each item in the room and decide if you want to keep it or donate/sell it. Decide based on if you have room in the home to place the item or if you need to store it in the garage, attic or basement. Deposit each item into the appropriate container before moving on to another item. Place recyclables, including paper and plastics, in the "Recycle" box. Throw anything that isn't applicable to the labeled boxes into the trash can.

3. Find appropriate homes for each item in the "Put up" box. Distribute these items in closets, drawers, cabinets and on shelves inside your home.

4. Seal the “Store” box. Write up a label of its contents and affix the label to the outside of the box so you have an easy-to-view inventory of what’s inside.

5. Take the “Donate” box to a donation center of your choice as soon as possible. Store the box in your garage, attic or basement temporarily if you are planning on selling the items at a yard sale or online.

6. Trash the items in your garbage can as you would other garbage in the home. Sweep or vacuum, mop, dust and wipe down furniture, shelves, ceiling fans, windows and blinds.

Tips & Warnings

• One good method of labeling a box's contents is to create a spreadsheet of items on the computer, print it and affix it to the box with clear packing tape.

References

• Oprah.com: Conquering Clutter
• Real Simple: Clutter-Busting Secrets of the Pros
• Organized Home: Declutter 101