A recent psychological survey conducted by the Clutter Recovery Group estimates 30 percent of people are "clutterers." And though there may be underlying reasons for keeping clutter hanging around, author and organizing expert Donna Smallin believes anyone can declutter regardless of how bad it is. Some of the rewards Smallin says will come with organization are more time, stress relief, raised self-esteem, money in your pocket and a simpler life.
Decluttering the Closet
Step 1
Take everything out of the closet and set it on the bed for easy sorting. Separate clothing, shoes and accessories, including off-season items, into three large plastic bins on the floor marked: keep, trash, and giveaway or sell. Let go of things that you have not used or worn in awhile. Discard the "trash" items into a garbage bag immediately. Take the "giveaway" bin to your local charity as soon as possible.
Step 2
Place off-season clothing and rarely used items into fabric containers or baskets with lids. Stack these on the higher shelves, as you won't need access to them often. Choose categories for your hanging clothes, such as jackets, slacks, work clothes and casual, and hang them accordingly. Hang them by color within their section for added organization, Smallin says.
Step 3
Sort small items like jewelry, keys, coins, sunglasses and trinkets by the "keep, trash, giveaway" categories. Store your "keep" items in small, sectioned storage boxes or ice cube trays. Identify each tray with an adhesive label or by using different color trays for various types of items. Stack them on a low shelf or in a drawer for easy access.
Step 4
"Create an umbrella rule of thumb about how long you will keep things like clothes you haven't worn so you don't have to make a decision about every item," Smallin advises. Sort through closets and drawers seasonally, sticking to the "keep, trash, and giveaway" system.
Getting Paper Under Control
Step 1
Organize all paperwork, mail, catalogs and magazines into the following piles: financial, action, archive, sentimental and trash, says CEO of Organizing Solutions Allison Van Norman. Place statements and important documents into file folders that are clearly labeled with a simple system that can be maintained easily. Transfer all files to a working hanging file box or cabinet. Stack current catalogs and magazines in a bin or basket and place where it is accessible. Store "archival and sentimental" items separate from "current paperwork" and accounting records.
Step 2
Ask your local banker and customer service representatives from your accounts to convert your statements, banking, and other correspondence to the Internet/Email or an automated pay system to reduce unnecessary incoming mail, suggests Van Norman.
Step 3
Schedule a time every two weeks to process all new clutter before it gets out of control. Pay bills first, weed out the junk mail and make sure that everything else gets filed right away.
Things You'll Need
- Fabric storage boxes
- Adhesive labels
- 3 large bins
- Trash bags
- Ice cube trays
- File folders
- File box or cabinet
- 9-by-12 bin or basket
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