It's January, it's the new year, so isn't the perfect time to clear that pile of clutter?
Start off your 2018 the right way and tackle that Bermuda Triangle storage cupboard or Mount Everest pile of unused toys.
We've put together a list of helpful tips and tricks to help you get through the organisation process (breathe, it'll be okay):
Clear the surfaces
In rooms like the kitchen and bedroom, make sure that the bed is made and the surfaces are as clear as they can be. Give yourself plenty of space to pull apart the drawers/wardrobes for a proper deep cleanse.
Box it up
Assign 4 boxes/bag/general piles, have them for each room or in a central location if you're tackling several rooms at once:
- Keep- anything useful
- Fix- anything that definitely will be used again but needs mending/fixing/washing
- Donate- anything that's working but no longer needed and finally
- Throw away- into the bin with you
The "6 month rule"
We use 20 per cent of our stuff 80 per cent of the time. So if you haven't used it/worn it/sat on it/eaten it in the past six months then it's gotta go. Be ruthless, you'll thank yourself for it later.
Make it fun
Two great games to aid de-cluttering with children are the 12-12-12 challenge and Cleaning Points. For the first challenge, identify 12 things to keep, 12 things to give away and 12 things to toss in 12 minutes.
For Cleaning Points, assign a point system based on how big every item of clothing/toy it is. Turn it into a competition, first to 25 points gets a ten minute break, winner gets to pick a movie etc.
Leave no paper trail
Got piles of old magazines that would rival a dentists office? Then they gotta go! No more that two back copies of newspapers and magazines should be kept, cutting out any articles you particularly want to keep.
When it comes to piles of paper, toss anything that doesn't fall under the two F's. Filing- for bills, statements etc. and framing- anything that can be framed- children's drawings, sentimental letters.
Keep things together
When it come to the dreaded wardrobe clear out (it's like it can smell fear), put everything in piles; jeans, t-shirts, good tops, dresses etc. Seeing how much you have of each item will make it easier to cull your collection.
This can also be applied to the kitchen, every mum has a cupboard of mystery lidless lunch boxes, match up what you can and toss the rest- if it isn't found now it probably never will be
Line up a treat
Set yourself an allocated time to tackle the clutter. Once you're satisfied reward yourself by doing something (emphasis on the doing as opposed to buying, we don't want the cycle to start again do we?). Have a relaxing bubble bath, go out for dinner, bring the kids to the park. You deserve it!
Happy (nearly) spring cleaning!
