clutter-busting tricks

**mouse** · 03-09-2006, 11:16 AM

I was reading this article this morning. And I thought it would be fun to hear what ideas villagers use to get rid of clutter.

http://www.realsimple.com/realsimple...5000-1,00.html

i recently cleared away well over half my belonging (and it felt wonderful). I do my best to make sure I don't end up over cluttered again. here are the things that work well for me. I've read so many organizing articles and a few books, i don't remember where i first saw these...

-everything we own takes up space, every square foot of space costs us money, and engery to maintain. so everything we own has an initial cost and a maintaince cost.

-I learned to trust that the universe will provide what i need when i need it, i no longer save things "just in case"

-and, the one we all know and love: donating old items is a wonderful way to give to charity. especially for those of us who cannot donate $$.

What are your favorate ideas?

**babetteq** · 03-09-2006, 11:49 AM

Thanks for posting this. I'm in the middle of a 'purge' right now. I don't actually see any more room in my house (regardless of the 3 garbage bages of ill fitting clothes, many things given away...) but I know that eventually I'll find my tabletops again!

babs

**FrugalMomof3** · 03-09-2006, 01:15 PM

This is a good thread...

- I have decluttered closets (I can actually see the walls and floors)
- Got a couple garbadge bags full of clothes to drop off at the Salvation Army
- Feel relieved I have extra space and will try to keep it "free space"

Also got some additional items to "sell" at my upcoming yard sale that were just cluttering the closets.

**Mumzy** · 03-09-2006, 02:21 PM

Great article. I like the 'one in one out rule'. I am going to try that one.
I am stumped on a basket of things that I have. Orphans of sorts. No place to store them and I can't let them go yet. What does everyone do when that happens?

**mouse** · 03-10-2006, 01:29 AM

do you feel comfortable telling us what sort of items?

**canadian gardener** · 03-10-2006, 10:01 AM

My favourite ideas and I have done this for years now is to

--have a collection boxopen for giveaways where the family can dispose of unwanted but still re useable objects and clothing.

--never ever argue a family member into keeping anything they toss --it means they will have to store it in their space and if you clutter it up again for them, they lose heart. Always support their tossing, and praise it. Doesn't matter if you or granny spent a ton of money on it, or it has great sentimental value to you, if it belongs to them and they wish to toss, let them.

--Call for pickup with the charity when it's full and do a big declutter the night before to add in some extras that you can get rid of around the house.

Keep a GARBAGE CAN in each room that a family member spends anytime at all in. Which is most rooms. It can be pretty or not, who cares, just make sure that it is open for family to practice basket shots.

Why? because if they didn't have to walk over or lift the lid, it becomes easier to toss. Just fire the gbg in and walk away.

If you do this, family will stop using them if they overflow. Train yourself as I did, to run around with the kitchen trash bag nightly (if you have lots of garbage generators) or every other day (if you are an empty nest)

and empty them. It keeps the system flowing smoothly.

Another thing I do:

IF YOU FIND SOMETHING WITHOUT A HOME-- think hard and maybe just toss it.

If you love it, you'll usually have a home for it without a lot of thought. If you have to work at figuring out a home for it, chances are you don't need to, so toss it.

**mouse** · 03-10-2006, 10:18 AM

wow, it sounds like everyone is making good progress. keep up the good work

Your so right about talking others into keeping things. It really is an unfair thing to do. those items just become a burden.

**baxjul** · 03-10-2006, 04:12 PM

I usually get rid of one thing every two days. Sometimes it is something small, like pens that don't write. Sometimes big, clothes etc... That way the clutter never gets too bad.

**Maisiedotes** · 03-11-2006, 06:20 AM

We are in the middle of going through our clothes- I figure if I have not worn something in 2 years, chances are I don't like them or they don't fit and I will probably never wear them. They are going in a bag for Goodwill. Getting DH to do this, however, is another story... I keep telling him: "you need to face it, you are not a 30" waist anymore!"