The 10 Commandments of Conquering Clutter

By Carol Band

There are consultants, complex systems and whole sciences created around controlling the clutter in our lives – at home, at work, in the car. In fact, some of these approaches are so involved and … well, anal, that we never even begin.

These few simple steps will help you make a difference without making you feel like a neat freak.

1. When in doubt, throw it out. If you aren’t sure whether you need those extra hangers from the dry cleaner, or that chipped platter, throw them away.

2. If you don’t use it, lose it. Clothing that hasn’t been worn in a year, the salad spinner you got for Christmas in 1992 and the baby swing that your 10-year-old outgrew long ago – give ’em away.

3. Keep things handy. Store what you use in the places that are easiest to reach; put things that are seldom used in more out-of-the-way spots. Organize closets and arrange kitchen cabinets so that you don’t have to rummage around to find the things that you use or wear frequently.

4. Sort and open your mail over a trash can. Toss the junk mail, pay the bills and file the rest.

5. Get help. Enlist the whole family to spend 15 minutes every night tidying up the house. Pick up newspapers, clothing and toys. Run the dishwasher. Waking up to a clean house makes everyone feel more organized and relaxed.

6. Don’t take on too much. To avoid burnout, take on one deep-cleaning or organization project at a time. On Monday, tackle your closet; on Saturday, clean out the medicine cabinet.

7. File it away. Have a place for paperwork and keep it contained. A file cabinet is a great way to keep school papers, bills, taxes and other stuff that you need organized. You don’t have to use a file cabinet, though. Wicker baskets, manila folding files and even shoe boxes all work to keep the flotsam and jetsam of life in order.

8. Sort it out. Organize your clutter by categories and don’t let them mingle. Winter clothes, soccer gear, bills and catalogs should never be heaped all together in a pile. Put them in separate baskets, boxes or drawers. Sorting stuff makes it easier to clean up and easier to stay organized.