How to Clean a Super Messy Room

Messes occur when things don't have a proper storage space.

Cleaning a super messy room is overwhelming, whether it's a child's bedroom or the family room. While it may be tempting to just dive in and start putting things away, a more organized approach helps minimize the work and also makes cleaning the room less stressful. Being organized also lowers the chance of becoming distracted or giving up halfway through the cleaning process. Once a room is cleaned, you will receive more enjoyment and relaxation from the space.

Things You'll Need

• Baskets or boxes
• Trash bags
• Dust cloths

Instructions

1. Place two containers, such as laundry baskets or boxes, and one trash bag in the room. One container holds misplaced items, the other holds donation items and the trash bag is for garbage.

2. Sort items into the proper containers, beginning on one side of the room. Place items that stay in the room in a central location, such as in the center of the room or on the bed. Continue sorting until the floor is cleared.

3. Remove items from shelving and tables, sorting them as you did the items on the floor. If some items are in their correct place, such as books on a bookshelf, leave this where they are instead of moving them to the central location.

4. Dispose of the trash and set the two baskets outside of the room. Put these items away or donate them after you are done cleaning the room so you don't get sidetracked.

5. Sort the items in the central location into piles for each section of the room. For example, you may have a bookshelf pile, a desk pile, a dresser pile and a closet pile. Keep the piles separate.

6. Dust shelves and furniture before putting away items. Use a dampened cloth to clean heavy layers of dust.

7. Put away items from one pile at a time. Move on to the next pile only after all items from the first pile are put away. Place items you are unsure about in a separate pile.

8. Re-examine the items in unsure pile and decide where they go or move them to the donation bin.

9. Vacuum, sweep or mop the floor in the room. Make the bed and fold any linens as applicable.

Tips & Warnings

• Get in the habit of putting items away every evening before dinner or bed so the mess doesn't become overwhelming again.

• If you have trouble getting rid of items, place them in storage for six months. Get rid of any items you don't retrieve from storage for use by the end of the six-month period.

References

• University of Illinois Extension: Dealing With Clutter
• "The Complete Tightwad Gazette"; Amy Dacyzyn; 1998