Conquering Clutter: Getting Started

Battling clutter, particularly once it’s had a chance to build up, is a daunting task. But even a small dent in the accumulation can make a big difference. Here are a few suggestions from de-cluttering experts Don Aslett and Alice Fulton to start you on your way to a clutter-free home.

• Condense your children’s clothes. Go through one drawer at a time and get rid of clothes your child never wears. Box up and label things you want to keep as hand-me-downs. Throw away clothing too worn to be useful, and offer wearable but unwanted items to charity or a consignment shop.

• “Bundle” outfits in advance. Package an entire outfit – top, bottom, socks – and fold it together. Younger children won’t have to dig around for something to match, and older kids can dress themselves while avoiding the “color blind tourist” look.

• Get it off the floor and box it up. Designate places for your children’s belongings ... off the floor. Low hooks for softball gloves, hats or jackets and a mesh net or lingerie bag on the shower bar for bath toys will do wonders. Also, put a “toy box” in each room in which your child has toys. You can use anything from a cardboard box to your great-grandmother’s cherry wood toy chest with hand-carved decorations. What matters is having an easy-to-reach place to put the toys.