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The Art of an Organized Home: How to Clear the Clutter for Good

Living

Want to find out how you really feel about the state of your home? Imagine this: You’re in the middle of cooking dinner when the doorbell rings. Does panic set in at the possibility of unexpected guests seeing your less-than-tidy house? If you’re like most, this doesn’t sound too far-off. From clutter to utter chaos, it’s time to put a stop to the messy madness and welcome in an organized home.

The Problem: Clutter

Organized HomeFor many families, piles of clutter seem to be an endless battle that just relocates from one corner of the room to another as if it’s on a conveyor belt. Sure, you can ‘hide’ your clutter when visitors stop by, but you know deep down that it’s not gone. Soon enough, all the paperwork, endless magazines, overflowing junk drawer and even your kids’ art projects are going to have to be addressed.

The Solution: Haves and Have-Nots

We get it, it’s not just stuff. It’s an emotional connection with a powerful grip. But this need to hold on to too many items can be holding you down. Clutter has the power to overload your senses, making you feel stressed, and impair your ability to think creatively.

Clear the clutter, clear your mind.

Focus on simplicity, like the KonMari Method, and keep only those items that bring something positive into your life. Those jeans from 1995 you’ve been holding on to for when you lose 30 pounds…time to let them go. Start by picking up one object and ask yourself if you honestly need it. Does it serve a purpose or have significance in your life? If the answer is “no,” get rid of it.

The Problem: Disorder

Organized HomeAn unorganized home can be a big distraction. From a wave of unfolded laundry and toys galore to unfinished projects and last season’s decorations, a house filled with stuff makes it hard to focus on anything else. Research even shows that when your environment is cluttered, the chaos restricts your ability to focus and process information. It also shows that you will experience less irritability, more productivity, less distraction, and be able to process information better in an uncluttered and organized home.

The Solution: One Step at a time

Practitioners of Feng Shui believe that clutter and disorder are traps for stale “chi” energy in your home and life. Liberate that trapped chi and fight the disorder by attacking it one step at a time. Whether you choose to take a giant step and attack the house in one full (clean) sweep or you choose to take a short and sweet step every evening and patrol the house for out-of-place belongings. There’s no right or wrong answer. Whatever method you embrace must work for your unique personality, lifestyle and schedule. Otherwise, it may never get done.

Try this: Holidays and birthday typically mean an influx of new toys and clothes. This is the perfect time to get rid of toys your kids have outgrown with the “one-in, two-out” rule. For every new toy or clothing you add, get rid of two old ones. Get the kids involved and teach them how to stay organized, too.

The Problem: Dirt

According to experts, you may not be cleaning your home often enough. Turns out, your home may be harboring more bacteria than a public trash can. Yuck!  It’s a dirty job, but someone has to do it…more than once a year.

The Solution:

A clean home really is a healthy and happy home. Regular cleaning sessions significantly lower the potential for sickness like allergies and asthma that come from bacteria, mold, dust and dander. So, here’s a dirty little list from Good Housekeeping detailing exactly what you need to clean and how often to get you started.

What To Clean Every Day

  • Make your bed
  • Clean dirty dishes
  • Sweep floors
  • Clean coffeemaker
  • Wipe down kitchen counters, tables and bathroom surfaces
  • Sweep kitchen floors
  • Do laundry
  • Squeegee shower walls
  • Sanitize bathroom and kitchen sinks

What To Clean Once A Week

  • Mop kitchen and bathroom
  • Scrub bathroom surfaces
  • Clean mirrors
  • Dust
  • Vacuum floors and furniture
  • Change bedding
  • Clean out fridge
  • Wipe down appliances
  • Clean microwave
  • Replace/sanitize sponges

What To Clean Once A Month

  • Vacuum vents and woodwork
  • Dust and clean light fixtures
  • Dust blinds
  • Clean dishwasher, vacuum and washing machine

What To Clean Every Six Months

  • Clean inside fridge
  • Clean range hood
  • Wash shower curtain
  • Clean under and behind furniture
  • Clean deck surfaces and furniture
  • Wash pillows and duvet
  • Vacuum mattress
  • Clean drains and garbage bin
  • Clean inside of oven
  • Empty and clean out freezer
  • Wash car

What To Clean Once A Year

  • Clean fireplace and chimney
  • Clean carpet and upholstery
  • Deep clean windows
  • Clean curtains
  • Clear out gutters
  • Clean around dryer and vents

 

The Secret to an Organized Home? Planning.

Start today with a plan. Winging it only leads to disorder and stress. Want an organized home? Create a daily, weekly, monthly and annual checklist of chores to save time and banish chaos for good.