Archive for category: Decluttering

Decluttering can be difficult and time-consuming, especially if you have a lot of possessions and sentimental attachments to them. One approach to decluttering is to start by removing certain types of items from your space, such as expired and broken items, duplicates, or even sentimental items that no longer hold any significant value or memories. By removing these types of things, you can make a significant dent in the clutter in your space. Here’s a list of 25 items you can start decluttering right now:

1. Old books, magazines, or newspapers
2. Expired food or spices
3. Expired medications
4. Broken or unused kitchen appliances
5. Clothing that no longer fits or that you no longer like
6. Old or expired makeup
7. Expired medications
8. Unused or broken tools
9. Old or unused holiday decorations
10. Outdated technology (such as old cell phones, computers, or video projectors)
11. Worn-out or stained linens and towels
12. Broken or unused furniture
13. Old paperwork (such as old bills, receipts, or documents that you no longer need)
14. Unused or expired personal care products (such as razors or toothbrushes)
15. Old or unused toys or games that are no longer played with
16. Old or unused craft supplies
17. Unwanted or duplicate kitchen gadgets
18. Expired cleaning supplies
19. Old or unused candles or air fresheners
20. Old or unused phone chargers or cables
21. Unused or broken sports equipment
22. Old or unused office supplies (such as file folders, pens, or pencils)
23. Unused or expired car supplies (such as old motor oil or windshield wiper fluid)
24. Old or unused decorative items (such as picture frames, glassware, or pottery)
25. Unused or expired toiletries (such as shampoo, body lotion, or sunscreen)

Consider donating unwanted or duplicated items

If you declutter items that are still in good condition, such as clothes, appliances, or furniture, you can consider donating them to a local charity or organization. Donating gently used items can help those in need and can also be a way to give back to your community.

Places such as shelters and schools are often in need of items such as clothes, books, and household items. Consider contacting them directly to inquire about their needs.

And if you need help decluttering…

Decluttering can be a complex process, but it can be very rewarding in the end. Removing clutter from your space can help you feel more organized and in control of your life, which will also improve your physical and mental well-being. Additionally, decluttering can free up space and make it easier to find the things you need, and it can also help you create a more pleasant and visually appealing environment.

However, if you feel overwhelmed and with no idea how to start, consider getting professional help. With a combined 25+ years of professional home organizing expertise, our ClutterBGone team will provide a courteous, sensitive, client-focused experience. Get in touch with us today for a free consultation. We’ll transform your life with a lasting change and transformation so you can enjoy a clean, organized, and clutter-free environment.

Do you feel like you’re the only one who’s focused on organizing and decluttering the house? Your family might not be as enthusiastic as you are about decluttering. And who can blame them? Decluttering can be time-consuming, challenging, and quite tedious. However, employing the correct strategies can turn the situation around and motivate your family to tackle this journey with you. Take note of our tips to help convince your family members to join the decluttering process:

1. Communicate with your family

Before you engage your family in your decluttering project, sit them down and have an open conversation. Help them understand why you want to declutter and what you hope to achieve from this process. The best way to get them onboard is by letting them know your feelings and goals.

2. Lead by example

If you want to get your family fully on board, rather than telling them what they have to do, lead by example! Start working on your own cluttered spaces. Declutter your wardrobe, your own toiletries, books, magazines, and so on. When your children and partner see your progress, they will be a lot more willing to start decluttering their own spaces.

3. Turn it into a challenge

If you find it hard to motivate your family, challenges can be a fun way to get everyone on board! Especially if you have kids, this can make a huge difference in how they commit to your project. You can, for example, make a 30-Day Challenge in which each family member has to get rid of something every day. The one who manages to complete the challenge gets a prize, like a trip to the movies or a pizza date.

4. Respect everyone’s space

Never forget: you must be sensitive to the spaces and possessions of your loved ones. You won’t be able to get your family on board with decluttering by attacking them and insisting they get rid of their stuff. Let them have their own designated space for what they find valuable. It may not be valuable to you, but that doesn’t mean it is not to them.

5. Offer your help and guidance

Sometimes your family may be on board with decluttering but don’t know where or how to start. A great way to get them on board with decluttering is to offer them help and guidance. For example, if you see your child frustrated with their toys being everywhere, that might be the time to offer to help them declutter their room. After all, you’re all on the same team working towards the goal of riding your home of clutter – support is always welcome!

6. Keep it up!

Decluttering isn’t a once off event. So make sure to set a good example for your kids, partner, and whoever it is that you feel could use a couple of lessons in organization and tidiness. Wash the dishes as soon as they go in the sink, hang your laundry as it comes out of the dryer, or show how you love keeping your thighs organized and tidy.

Decluttering can be overwhelming, and getting your family on board with this journey can be an uphill task. If you find it too difficult, you can, as an alternative, hire a professional service to help you get the environment you want. At ClutterBGone, we offer you a free telephone consultation so that you can tell us all about your goals for a clean and comfortable atmosphere. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today!

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition that affects people’s behavior. People with ADHD usually feel restless, have trouble concentrating, and may act on impulse. Considering this, decluttering when you have ADHD can be quite challenging. But, with the right tools and mindset, it isn’t impossible. If you have ADHD, there are several small but manageable actions you can take that will help you clear away the clutter. In this article, we’ll share a few ideas.

Why is it so hard to declutter when you have ADHD?

People with ADHD are known for their inability to focus at length on the task at hand. Yet, many other symptoms of this condition can make it extremely hard for those with ADHD to declutter and keep an organized home. Abandoning projects, for example, is quite common in people with ADHD, as they often find it tough to start, keep, and prioritize tasks. Moreover, those living with this condition may also find it more difficult to let things go, especially if they’re attached to a memory or emotion. In the long run, these inabilities may lead to extremely cluttered homes.

If you have ADHD and want to start a decluttering project, here are 5 important tips to keep in mind:

Tip 1: Make a plan

Sometimes, the most challenging part of getting organized is knowing where and how to begin. For that reason, making a plan can be of great help. Consider making a list of everything you want to declutter, be it a specific room or your entire house. You can also write down the specific goals you want to accomplish. After that, add these actions to your calendar and try to stick with it the best you can.

Tip 2: Start small

Decluttering can feel overwhelming, especially when you have many areas to organize or clear out. The best thing you can do if you’re feeling this way? Start small. Pick a closet to go through or one drawer in the kitchen. This might not seem like much, but a little does go a long way. By starting small, you are able to better gauge how long you can handle a decluttering task.

Tip 3: Reward yourself

Decluttering your space can be a lot of work. As such, setting up a rewards system to help you stay motivated and take pride in your accomplishments can be of great help! Consider which goals you want to achieve. For example, if you manage to declutter the whole room during a designated time, you’re allowed to treat yourself to your favorite dessert or a special item you’ve been eyeing. Celebrate your achievements!

Tip 4: Let go of perfection

Shift the focus to function rather than perfection. Before diving into a decluttering project, keep in mind that the whole goal is to make your life more functional – not to add more stress. Remember to stop and celebrate when you reach an attainable goal. Good enough is sufficient. It’s not settling. Respect your pace and let go of perfection.

Tip 5: Ask for help

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure that you’ll manage to stay focused, ask a friend to join you for a 30-minute cleaning blitz or a Sunday of dancing and dusting! The purpose is to fight distraction and have someone on your side for the decluttering battle. Professional organizers can fill this role, too, as they know all the right tools and strategies to make this process easier.

ADHD brains are more prone to clutter for several reasons, from poor working memory to weak impulse control. However, with the right tools and support, people with ADHD can successfully tackle any decluttering project.

If you need someone to help you declutter and organize your spaces so that you can enjoy a clean, clutter-free environment, don’t hesitate to contact us at ClutterBGone for a free consultation! We will be delighted to help you win this fight!

Our homes are overflowing with duplicate items. It’s all fueled by the thought that if one is good, then more must be great. But in reality, it’s not. Select any number of items, multiply them by two, and you’ve got twice the amount of stuff. While duplicates of one item may seem harmless, consider for a moment what multiple duplicates will do for a single filing cabinet, closet, or room. That’s a lot of extra stuff to deal with daily, isn’t it?

To start decluttering duplicates, the first thing to do is be as realistic as possible about your needs. How many spatulas do you use at a time? One. And how many pairs of black socks can one actually need? Probably not as many as you currently have. But of course, some duplicates serve a purpose, and the size of your family will determine the right amount of each item to keep. The idea here is to open your mind to thinking about places where you collect too much. Here’s how you can start decluttering those:

Locate your useless duplicates

Think about areas in your home that may be overrun with duplicates. Good candidates for eliminating duplicates include sheets, towels, cleaning supplies, gardening tools, home office supplies, toys, books, and kitchen accessories. Here’s a list that will help you pinpoint duplicates more easily:

• Kitchen Utensils: spatulas, whisks, spoons, rolling pins, mugs, peelers, measuring cups, storage containers
• Kitchen Accessories: items that do the same thing, such as rice cookers, slow cookers, and instapots
• Drawers: pens, pencils, notepads, bag clips, take-out menus, rubber bands, scissors
• Closets: purses, shoes, jackets, t-shirts, scarves, hats, sandals, flip-flops, heels, boots, sneakers
• Linens: sheets, blankets, bath and hand towels, beach towels, washcloths
• Children’s Toys: puzzles, balls, sets of blocks, books, dolls, puppets, stuffed toys
• Hobby Materials: tools, paints, sticks, brushes, fabrics
• Sports Equipment: boards, skates, shoes, boots, balls, sticks, bats

Be honest about whether or not one is enough

Many factors play into how many items you should keep, especially those related to your family’s needs and dynamics. Some people keep only one set of sheets per bed. They wash and dry and return to the bed on laundry day. While that’s feasible for some families, it is absolutely impossible for others.

So, as we already mentioned, it is extremely important that you understand your reality before decluttering. To make things easier, you can begin by decluttering more personal items, such as clothes and accessories, and then slowly start dealing with areas/objects that concern the whole family. Just keep in mind that, the less stuff you own, the easier it is to keep things in order.

Do you feel like you’re living under the burden of clutter? Do you trip over things, can’t find what you need, and end up wasting money all because you have too much clutter in your home? One of the easiest things you can do to make quick progress is to think about duplicates. However, if you’re feeling overwhelmed or can’t find the time to begin the process, it’s probably better to hire a professional service to assist you. At CluttlerBGone, we offer you a free telephone consultation so that you can tell us all about your goals for a clean and comfortable environment. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today!

For many people, Halloween is the most wonderful time of the year. After all, it comes with a whole lot of fun: scary movies and stories, haunted houses, seasonal sweets, spooky decorations, costume parties, and of course, the mythical night of trick-or-treating. However, with all the costumes, candles, decorations, and trinkets, the clutter situation can get quickly out of hand in our homes. If you’re trying your best to keep a neat, organized, and clutter-free environment, here are a few ideas for enjoying Halloween without making a mess:

Pumpkins and Squashes

Pumpkins and squashes have become a symbol inseparable from Halloween. If you decide to carve a few pumpkins or squashes to make jack-o’-lanterns, you can compost them afterward. No residual clutter! And if you just decorate the outside, you can peel them and make a delicious meal later on. The great thing about these fruits is that they last a long time without rotting. You can use them to decorate your house during the whole month and eat them once Halloween is over.

Paper Decorations That Can Be Recycled

There are so many fun things you can make for Halloween with paper! With only paper, scissors and glue, you can create flying bats, ghosts, skeletons, and all sorts of scary monsters. In addition, this is also a great activity to do with the whole family. After Halloween, you can simply recycle the decorations and forget they ever existed!

Door Decoration

Decorating your door is a great way to show off your love for Halloween, without making a mess inside the house. Moreover, with a small amount of effort, your door can transform your house into the talk of the neighborhood! You can wrap your front door with black paper and decorate it with white spider webs, create a cyclops monster by using one big eyeball decal and some colored butcher paper or simply add little paper spiders to it. Fun, inexpensive, and clutter-free!

Costumes Made of “Real Clothes”

Aren’t you tired of cheap-looking costumes from the store that never are worn again? This year, you could try to use costume elements you already have or things you can reuse as regular clothing. And if you really want an authentic look with your costume, you can opt to only purchase a few key accessories that will bring the look together.

… or Borrowed!

As an alternative, you can always borrow from family, friends, or stores. This way, you will save money and keep your house free from clutter. Furthermore, you can also borrow Halloween books, music, and movies from the library to enjoy the festivities without giving up storage space in your home.

 Focus Pocus!

It’s normal to feel tempted to decorate your house and buy all sorts of decorations related to Halloween. But you must stay focused and resist the impulse – especially if you’re embarking on a decluttering journey. Borrowed costumes and media and temporary decor you won’t have to store afterward until next year is key to getting into the mood without spending too much or creating useless clutter.

And if there’s nothing as terrifying for you as the clutter you can’t really seem to manage, don’t forget that our ClutterBGone team is here for you!  We will be delighted to offer you a free telephone consultation so that you can tell us all about your goals for a clean and comfortable environment. Decluttering doesn’t have to be scary!