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A busy and full life is wonderful but a cluttered home can become overwhelming. Clutter affects the cleanliness of a home and the wellbeing of those living in it. Greenlife Professional Cleaning teams know how to declutter as an essential first step to maintaining a clean home. In this blog post we will walk you through practical, step-by-step approaches to decluttering different areas of your home, helping you create spaces that are beautiful and functional.

 

The Importance of Decluttering Your Living Spaces

First, let’s discuss the overall benefits of decluttering: 

• Improved mental clarity: Research shows that cluttered environments can impair our ability to focus and process information, leading to increased stress levels.
• Enhanced productivity: When your space is organized, you spend less time searching for things and more time accomplishing tasks.
• Better cleaning results: When our cleaning teams have fewer obstacles to work around, they can clean more thoroughly and efficiently.
• Healthier living environment: Less clutter means fewer dust-collecting surfaces and hiding places for allergens.
• Greater enjoyment of your space: A decluttered home creates room for the activities and people that truly matter to you.

Preparing for Your Decluttering Journey

Successful decluttering requires some preparation. Before you begin pulling items from closets and drawers, take these important steps:

Set Clear Goals

Determine what you want to achieve through decluttering:

• Are you preparing for a deep professional cleaning?
• Do you need to make your home more functional for your current lifestyle?
• Are you downsizing or making room for new family members?
• Do you simply want more peaceful, open spaces?

Having clear goals will help you make decisions throughout the process.

Create a Realistic Timeline

Decluttering an entire home doesn't happen in a day. Create a timeline that works with your schedule:

1. For small apartments: 1-2 weekends may be sufficient
2. For average-sized homes: Plan for 3-4 weekends
3. For larger homes: Consider a room-by-room approach over 1-2 months

Remember that rushing leads to poor decisions and potential regrets.

Gather Necessary Supplies

Before starting, collect these essential supplies:

• Sorting boxes or bins (label them: Keep, Donate, Sell, Trash, Relocate)
• Trash bags
• Cleaning supplies for wiping down newly cleared areas
• Markers and labels for reorganizing
• Measuring tape (for furniture or storage solutions you might purchase)

Establish Your Decision-Making Criteria

Decide in advance how you'll determine what stays and what goes:

• When was the last time you used the item?
• Does it serve a specific, current purpose in your life?
• Does it bring you genuine joy?
• Would you buy it again today?
• Is it worth the space it occupies?

Having these criteria established before you start will make the process more efficient.

DIY or professional cleaning: which is right for you? Read our blog post on the subject here!

Room-by-Room Decluttering Strategy

While some decluttering experts recommend tackling categories of items rather than spaces, many people find a room-by-room approach more manageable. Here's how to approach key areas of your home:

Kitchen Decluttering

The kitchen often accumulates specialized gadgets, duplicate items, and food products that expire before use.

Step 1: Clear countertops completely

• Remove all appliances, decorative items, and miscellaneous objects
• Wipe surfaces clean
• Only return essential, frequently used items

Step 2: Address food storage areas

• Check expiration dates on all food items
• Discard expired products
• Donate unexpired, unopened non-perishables you won't use
• Organize remaining items by category and frequency of use

Step 3: Evaluate cookware and utensils

• Remove duplicates (how many spatulas do you really need?)
• Discard damaged items
• Let go of specialized gadgets you rarely or never use
• Keep only what you actually cook with

Step 4: Organize cabinets and drawers

• Group similar items together
• Place frequently used items in easily accessible locations
• Consider drawer dividers and cabinet organizers

Bathroom Decluttering

Bathrooms are often small spaces overflowing with products, towels, and toiletries.

Step 1: Discard old products

• Check expiration dates on medications and cosmetics
• Properly dispose of expired medications
• Throw away empty bottles and packaging
• Let go of products you tried but don't like

Step 2: Assess linens

• Keep only the towels and washcloths you actually use
• Discard stained or threadbare items
• Consider repurposing old towels as cleaning rags
• Limit guest towels to a reasonable number

Step 3: Organize remaining items

• Group similar products together
• Use drawer dividers and containers to keep small items organized
• Consider under-sink organizers and over-the-door storage for extra space

Bedroom Decluttering

Bedrooms should be peaceful retreats, but often become storage areas for clothes, books, and miscellaneous items.

Step 1: Focus on your wardrobe

• Remove everything from your closet and drawers
• Try on clothes you haven't worn recently
• Create separate piles for keeping, donating, and discarding
• Be honest about what fits, what you actually wear, and what you love

Step 2: Address bedroom surfaces

• Clear nightstands of accumulated items
• Remove everything from dressers and vanities
• Curate what returns to these surfaces to include only essentials and meaningful decorative items

Step 3: Check under the bed

• Remove everything stored under the bed
• Vacuum thoroughly
• If you choose to use this as storage space, use appropriate containers and limit to seasonal items

Step 4: Evaluate additional bedroom storage

• Books: Keep only those you'll read again or reference
• Hobby materials: Store elsewhere if possible
• Decorative items: Select a meaningful few rather than many

Living Area Decluttering

Living rooms, family rooms, and dens tend to accumulate entertainment items, decorative objects, and miscellaneous family possessions.

Step 1: Tackle entertainment systems

• Sort through DVDs, CDs, video games, and related materials
• Keep only what you actually use with current technology
• Consider digitizing media where possible
• Organize cables and cords

Step 2: Address bookshelves and display areas

• Remove everything from shelves
• Dust thoroughly
• Be selective about what returns - aim for 20-30% empty space
• Group similar items together for visual cohesion

Step 3: Evaluate furniture placement

• Consider if all furniture pieces serve a purpose
• Remove or relocate items that create obstacles or congestion
• Ensure traffic flow through the room is smooth

Step 4: Manage "floating" items

• Create homes for remotes, magazines, and frequently used items
• Establish a system for mail and papers
• Provide attractive storage for children's toys if applicable

Home Office Decluttering

Home offices can quickly become overwhelmed with papers, supplies, and technology.

Step 1: Tackle paper first

• Sort through all papers
• Shred sensitive documents you don't need
• Establish a filing system for important papers
• Consider scanning documents for digital storage

Step 2: Evaluate office supplies

• Gather all supplies in one location
• Discard dried-out pens, empty staplers, etc.
• Keep only what you actually use
• Create organized storage for remaining items

Step 3: Address technology

• Evaluate old devices, cords, and accessories
• Properly recycle outdated technology
• Label cords you keep
• Create a system for managing current technology needs

Special Categories That Need Attention

Beyond room-by-room decluttering, certain categories of items deserve special consideration:

Sentimental Items

These can be the most challenging to declutter. Consider these approaches:

• Set a specific space limit for sentimental items
• Take photos of bulky keepsakes before letting them go
• Choose one or two representative items from collections
• Consider whether the memory exists without the physical item

Children's Items

Kids outgrow things quickly, making regular decluttering essential:

• Involve children in age-appropriate decluttering decisions
• Rotate toys rather than having everything accessible at once
• Establish a "one in, one out" policy for new acquisitions
• Regularly assess clothing for fit and condition

Seasonal Items

These can consume significant storage space:

• Evaluate holiday decorations yearly
• Store only what you actually use and enjoy
• Consider borrowing or renting rarely used seasonal equipment
• Use proper storage to protect items between uses

Maintaining Your Decluttered Home

Once you've completed the initial decluttering process, maintaining your progress requires consistent habits:

Daily Maintenance Habits

• Return items to their designated homes after use
• Process mail immediately rather than letting it accumulate
• Take five minutes each evening to reset main living areas
• Be mindful about what you bring into your home

Weekly Maintenance Tasks

• Review high-traffic areas for accumulated items
• Return misplaced items to their proper locations
• Process any accumulated papers or digital files
• Quick-purge perishable items in the refrigerator

Seasonal Maintenance Sessions

• Evaluate seasonal clothing as you rotate wardrobes
• Reassess decor as you decorate for holidays or seasons
• Schedule quarterly mini-decluttering sessions for problem areas
• Plan an annual review of storage areas like attics, basements, and garages

How Professional Cleaning Complements Your Decluttering Efforts

At Greenlife Professional Cleaning, we find that our services provide maximum benefit in homes that have addressed clutter issues. When our professional cleaning teams visit your Asheville or Hendersonville home, they can:

• Focus on thorough cleaning rather than working around clutter
• Access surfaces that might otherwise be covered with items
• Provide a deeper clean in less time
• Help maintain the fresh, open feeling of your decluttered spaces

Our professional cleaning teams are trained to clean your home efficiently and effectively, with special attention to bathrooms, kitchens, and living areas. We use eco-friendly cleaning products and bring all necessary supplies with us.

If you choose to hire a professional company, we have written a guide about what to ask before hiring them. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Decluttering

1. How do I convince family members to participate in decluttering?

Start by focusing on your own belongings and communal spaces. Lead by example, and communicate the benefits you're experiencing. Involve family members in setting goals for shared spaces, and respect their decisions about personal items.

2. What should I do if I feel overwhelmed during the process?

Break tasks down into smaller steps. Set a timer for 15-30 minutes of focused decluttering, then take a break. Celebrate small victories, and don't try to do everything at once.

3. How do I responsibly dispose of unwanted items?

Research local donation centers, recycling facilities, and hazardous waste disposal options in the Asheville and Hendersonville areas. Consider selling valuable items through local consignment shops or online marketplaces. Host a yard sale for multiple items.

4. Should I invest in storage solutions before decluttering?

No, declutter first to determine what you actually need to store. Buying storage containers prematurely often leads to organizing items you don't need to keep.

5. How do I maintain motivation throughout a large decluttering project?

Take "before" photos to track your progress. Enlist an accountability partner. Focus on how you want to use the space. Schedule decluttering sessions on your calendar and treat them as important appointments.

Conclusion

Decluttering your home is not just about creating a more visually appealing space—it's about creating room for the life you want to live. By methodically addressing each area of your home and establishing maintenance habits, you can transform your living environment into one that supports your wellbeing and activities.

Once you've completed your decluttering efforts, consider scheduling a professional cleaning with Greenlife Professional Cleaning. Our experienced teams serve Asheville, Hendersonville, and surrounding areas, providing eco-friendly cleaning services that will make your newly organized home truly shine.

With less clutter and a professionally cleaned home, you'll have more time and space for the people and activities that matter most to you. That's the real goal of any decluttering project.

Ready to experience the benefits of a professionally cleaned home? Contact us today for a free estimate on our residential cleaning services.