Learn how to declutter your home in a snap.
We've all been there. Bills piled up on the kitchen table, clean laundry stacked high in the closet, and hundreds of Post-It notes of forgotten to-dos stuck to the fridge. It's a scary sight, to say the least. The good news? The seemingly overwhelming damage isn't permanent. Decluttering your home can be a daunting task, especially if you’re unsure of where to start. That’s why we reached out to Mike Kernaghan, organizing expert and president and CEO of the dumpster rental service Bin There Dump That (what a punny name!), for some top-notch advice.1. Set realistic organizational goals.
"To increase efficiency, make a plan with specific goals to jump-start the process," Kernaghan told Our Community Now. "Write out all of the spaces you want to clean and create a game plan and timeline for each one. Try to take it one area at a time to ensure you stay on track and are able to prioritize which areas to clean first."
2. To toss, to donate, or to keep: that is the question.
"You need a system that works best for you in order to sort through all of your items, Kernaghan said. "Separate everything into boxes or bags to determine what should be tossed, donated, or kept — three box method. For larger projects, rent a dumpster to maximize cleaning. You’re more willing to throw out unwanted items when you have space in the trash and aren’t waiting around for trash day to empty your small bins."
3. Start with the space that bothers you the most.
"By conquering this task first, you will feel more motivated to keep cleaning other areas of your home," he added. "Cleaning can give you a sense of accomplishment when you are able to see how nice it looks and how transforming the space is positively impacting your daily life."
4. Get in a clean-up routine.
"Once you’re finished decluttering your home, you will need to keep it that way! Create positive habits like donating two items for every new item you purchase," Kernaghan said. "It’s also important to schedule regular up-keep cleanings so you can maintain your newly organized living space."
Sounds easy enough, right? What methods do you use when organizing your home? Let us know in the comment section below!