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Studies show that a cluttered home can negatively impact your mood, anxiety levels, and even your sleep. But if you’re already surrounded by clutter, tackling the massive task of decluttering your home may be overwhelming.
Maybe you think it will take too much energy and time to declutter your home. But, we are here to tell you that you can declutter in as little as 15 minutes and start reaping the benefits of an organized home today.
Read on to learn how you can declutter your home in 15 minutes a day with a decluttering schedule.
What is a Declutter Program?
A declutter program will put you on the right track toward a clean, clutter-free, and organized living space. The process of decluttering your home would be impossible to accomplish in a single day.
A decluttering schedule, like the one we outline in this article, allows you to take control of the clutter in small, manageable steps.
Removing the stress from the declutter process will allow you to get started right away so you can see progress today.
Declutter Your Home in 15 Minutes a Day
Everything about the decluttering process should remain small and simple. You can even plan your declutter program in 15 minutes or less.
First, define all the spaces you wish to declutter. If you have clutter in every room in your house, that is fine. List all those rooms.
Then, take it a step further. Beneath every room, list the specific spaces you want to declutter. An example would look like this: Master Bedroom
- Closet
- Dresser
- Under-Bed
- Nightstands
- Reading Nook
Each of the smaller spaces should be further broken down by task as if you are writing a checklist. Plan these tasks to be completable in 15 minutes or less.
You can create an efficient decluttering process in 6 steps: Separate, Discard, Clean, Identify Needs, Aquire Solutions, and Replace & Label.
Separate
Begin tackling each subcategory of your rooms by identifying what you wish to part with and what you wish to keep. As you do so, think about where the items you will part with are going to go.
If they are going into the trash, getting donated, or getting recycled, you should separate each option into separate piles. Then, set aside the items you wish to keep.
Discard
If all you have is trash, the discard step may combine with the separate step. But, in cases where you have to load up your vehicle and drive somewhere to discard your items, you need to plan ahead.
Decide on a local recycling center or donation center and take the items in. This could also take longer than 15 minutes, so if you’re making multiple trips don’t be afraid to break this step up into multiple days.
Clean
The area you are decluttering should be cleaned. Vacuum, dust, and disinfect the area. This will make the space feel less cluttered and keep your new, organized space clean and welcoming.
Since you are working in small areas, the cleaning process should be quick. Remember that if you come across any major hygiene issues like mold, take the necessary steps to find a solution.
A 15-minute clean is not worth sacrificing your health or the health of your family. Don’t worry, the declutter program will be waiting for you after the issue is resolved.
Identify Needs
Now that you have a clean space, take stock of the items you kept. Where will they go? Do you need extra storage? Would a custom organizer be helpful?
Identify your organizational needs, if you find any, and seek solutions. This may require contacting an expert, doing some research, or going shopping.
Aquire Solutions
Once you’ve identified your solutions, you will need to source and purchase them. While big-box stores offer generalized organizational solutions, buying from local specialists will ensure all your custom needs are met.
Then, you can install or hire a professional to install your organizational solution in your space.
Replace & Label
After you have installed your organization solution, you can get started replacing the items that belong in that space.
Labeling those items serves two purposes. First, it ensures you will be able to find the items you are looking for when you need them. Second, it encourages you to maintain the organizational system you have created.
Once you label a drawer “underwear,” you’re less likely to haphazardly put items that aren’t underwear in that space.
Putting it all Together
If each of these steps only takes you one day, you will finish each subsection of a room within a week and be able to take a day of rest, basking in the glory of all your accomplishments.
Here is how these steps may look in real life from our previous example:
Master Bedroom
- Closet
- Separate clothes and items I want to keep or discard
- Discard unwanted clothes and items (Donate, Recycle, Trash)
- Vacuum and Dust closet
- Take stock of remaining clothes and items to identify closet organization needs
- Purchase and install extra organization
- Replace and Label closet clothes and items in designated space
Stay Motivated
Remember to forgive yourself if you can’t keep up with your schedule. Life is hectic and it is okay to miss a day or even a week. If you are too hard on yourself, you’ll find the process discouraging rather than empowering.
Then, the clutter wins. And we don’t want that, now do we? Here are some tips to stay motivated while you declutter your home.
- Get inspired on Pinterest
- Breath and tell yourself it is okay
- Get your family involved and excited
- Learn more about custom organization from local experts
- Think about the progress you have already made
- Plan a reward for getting back on track
Of course, you can always think about your internal or external motivators and try those instead! The important thing is that you don’t give up or give in.
Get Organized Today
Don’t get stuck in a cluttered home. You can declutter your house in 15 minutes a day with this decluttering schedule. If you need help managing the clutter in your home, look no further than the folks here at Closet Doctor: Your premier closet organizer company in the Sacramento area.
Our organization experts can help you maintain your declutter program by helping you choose the best products for your needs.
We can help you declutter your house, increase your storage space, and add beauty to your home with customized storage options. It’s time to break free from the clutter, so contact Closet Doctor today.
