Consistent decluttering here and there makes for a much less overwhelming spring cleaning.
Whether you live in a large home or a studio apartment, clutter can easily build up.
Sometimes its a kitchen countertop or the desk in your home office.
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As a result, messes accumulate and our homes become the sources of headaches, not peace.
So, where do you start?
Here are the spaces that professional organizersrecommend declutteringweekly, monthly, and yearly.
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What to Declutter Every Week
Countertops
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Weve all been there.
Things start to look messy quickly, particularly in open-concept homes.
Jennifer Jarrett, professional organizer and founder of Jenuinely Contained, recommends decluttering countertops weekly.
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Any flat surface is fair game for putting crap down on," she says.
“Don’t know where to put that stack of mail that built up while you were away?
Unsure where to put all the artwork your kids bring home from school every day?
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Once I’ve cleared off the countertops I redistribute the items to their proper location,” she explains.
“Crumpled wrappers, trash.
Random belt, kids' room.
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Lip gloss, my purse, etc.
Refrigerator
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The refrigerator should also be decluttered every week, Jarrett explains.
Start by throwing away anything past its prime.
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Refer to thisfood expiration dates guideto see if you should keep or toss those questionable items in your fridge.
“Sort the remaining items into categories and contain them in individual drawers, bins, or shelves.
Add removable labels to each zone to keep everyone in your home on the same page.
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Dont forget to leave a spot for leftovers.”
Trash receipts and gum wrappers and remove anything unnecessary like old makeup and medications.
She suggests checking for expired or stale items and tossing them.
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double-check that all other items are securely closed,” she says.
“Chip clips are the best for this.
“Lastly, corral remaining categories into labeled bins and baskets.
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But be realistic with yourself, too, and toss anything you know you’ll never get to.
Car
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Cars are kind of like portable dumpsters for some people!
They quickly get junky.
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Clean it out monthly and remove food wrappers and empty water bottles.
Go through your trunk too.
For this area, you want to pull everything out.
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Yes, everything,” Jarrett says.
If there are space constraints, this area can also be done in sections.
Set them aside for donation,” she says.
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So, every time a birthday comes around, its time to get rid of some things.
Or, consider collecting less often played-with toys in a bin and cycling them out every few months.
Next, chooseholiday decor storage solutionsand put them to work.
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Separate worn-out towels, sheets, and bedding you no longer use.
Books
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For many people, books are incredibly difficult to let go of.
They become emotionally attached to titles, and for some folks, books are their entire personality!
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But once a year, sort through your collection.
Cosmetics
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Makeup and skincare can also expire!
Toss anything you haven’t touched in months and don’t see yourself using ever again.
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