The Key to Clearing Clutter Fast! It's Time to Remove Unnecessary Clutter!

There are a lot of components that go into clearing out the clutter within your home, but there is one specific key to clearing clutter fast!

The best thing is that it is simple to implement and provides instant gratification to the work you’ve done!

Clutter sneaks into our home due to habits we form [or don’t].

You’ve probably heard suggestions for the One-Touch Rule [A rule to help you put things away when you finish using it.] or the One Thing In, One Thing Out Rule [Bring something new into the home, take something old out of your home].

Both of these habits/rules help reduce the amount of clutter you have within your home on a regular basis.

They are mentioned often across the web because they work really well! But they aren’t the key to clearing clutter fast within your home.

Let’s have an honest moment. Sometimes life throws a curve ball, and your routine goes to the wayside.

It could be days, weeks, or months before things return to normal. Within that time, clutter can take over a home with no hesitation.

Just thinking of getting back on track feels overwhelming, and friend, I completely agree! Thinking about how to get back on track or finding the track in the first place is totally overwhelming.

BUT I have the key that will help get you there without the overwhelm, without having to map out a plan, or even think about what has to be done.

In fact, this key is mostly action-based, which for your overwhelmed mind, is your saving grace!

The Key to Clearing Clutter Fast!

The key to clearing clutter fast is all about creating a sense of urgency. Now I know this sounds counterproductive to reducing overwhelm, but stick with me!

When we overthink about the clutter in our home, we see all that has to be done, things that need to be sorted, and so on.

By creating a sense of urgency, you remove the overthinking completely – simply because there isn’t any time for it.

Let me teach you my plan of attack, then go do it yourself! I promise this will work for you!

So my method for creating a sense of urgency is something I like to call a

Decluttering Spree

It sounds like a lot of fun, quick, and to the point. There are only a few guidelines I ask you to follow to make sure you keep it fun, quick, and to the point.

Decluttering Spree Guidelines:

Set a TIMER.
Use a laundry basket to gather things that need to be relocated.
Do not CLEAN a space, but rather do a swift TIDYING of the space.

Let’s walk through each one really quickly, then I’ll let you get to work!

Set a timer //

I recommend for your first Decluttering Spree that, you set it for 30 minutes. This will give you adequate time to go all throughout your home, gathering things that need to go into a different room and putting things away within that room.

Once you’ve done this a few times, you’ll know if 30 minutes is long or short enough. It maybe that 30 minutes is too long for you, and you only need 10 minutes to tidy your home.

On the other hand, you may need longer than 30 minutes to get through your entire home.

It is okay to adjust this to make it work for you. Once you find the perfect time for you, stick with it each time you do a Decluttering Spree.

You’ll find over time that you can decrease the time on the timer because you will become much more aware of the clutter within your home.

But when life throws a curveball, make an adjustment to help you succeed with the unnecessary clutter around you.

Use a laundry basket to gather things that need to be relocated. //

While I feel this is self-explanatory, I do want to point out that your laundry basket should be EMPTY when you finish. If it is not, then it doesn’t matter if your timer goes off. You do not need to leave anything in the laundry basket. That is only moving clutter from one space to another.

Using a laundry basket to go from room to room and quickly decluttering things that do not belong within it is a tool. Think of it like a microwave.

You put things in it to be quickly heated up, then remove them once it is done. You don’t leave things within it once you are finished.

Think of your laundry basket in the same context.

Do not CLEAN a space, but rather do a swift TIDYING of the space. //

These 30 minutes are for tidying and tidying alone. Cleaning is for another time.

When I start my timer, the first things I do are the dishes, do a load of laundry, and make our bed.

All of these things are considered tidying for 3 reasons:

They remove clutter.
It provides instant gratification to the work I’ve done.
It frees up a laundry basket for me to use throughout my decluttering spree.

As you go throughout your home, be sure to make the beds, fold up any blankets and put them away, and straighten what you can to TIDY the space.

Remember to check your laundry basket as you go through each room to see if anything belongs in that space from the basket. Do not just put it on a surface. Put it where it goes so that you don’t have to put it away later [Remember the One-Touch Rule?].

It’s time to remove unnecessary clutter!

Now that you know the KEY to clearing clutter fast from your home, you are ready to get to work! Set the timer, grab a laundry basket, and get to it!

I promise you’ll love the results of your DECLUTTERING SPREE because you, my friend, will conquer your clutter and get out of that overwhelmed state of mind!

Ways to ensure you clear clutter fast!

There are a few things you can do each day to make this decluttering spree go quickly and easier over time. I started with 30-minute decluttering sprees, and now I’m down to about 10-minute decluttering sprees.

The following tips I’m sharing are something anyone can do regardless of current circumstances.

1 // Have a designated spot for incoming paperwork and mail.

When you know all of the paperwork and mail go to one place, you won’t have to worry about looking for it or piles spread throughout your home.

It is efficient and effective for many reasons.

2 // Deal with incoming paperwork daily

Just because you have a designated spot for incoming paperwork doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t sort it out first.

Toss things you don’t need into recycling and things that need attention into your designated spot. This reduces your time sorting through it later.

3 // Keep your horizontal surfaces clutter-free

The more you practice this and keep your surfaces clutter-free, the easier it will be to clean and go through your decluttering spree.

For me, this was the area that consumed most of my decluttering spree time. Now that I keep my horizontal surfaces clutter-free, my decluttering sprees don’t take as long.

Only keep what is absolutely necessary on your countertops. Everything else needs a home elsewhere.

Also, be sure to put things away when finished with it. Makeup doesn’t need to stay on the countertop when you’re done with it.

4 // Keep a donate box by the closest door to your vehicle

I’ve mentioned this many times throughout this website, but it is true! This creates a streamlined process for the things you no longer want to get out of the home.

5 // Never go to bed with dirty dishes in the sink

This is another rule I live for each night. You’ll never regret doing the dishes at night because when you wake up the next day, all you’ll be thinking is how amazing it is to see a clean kitchen.

6 // Don’t worry about keeping up with the Joneses [they’re broke anyway]

Focus on experiencing life versus buying your status. There are always going to be new gadgets, cars, trends, etc.

It is seriously impossible to keep up with it all. Those who are keeping up with it are most likely drowning in debt, and you’ve got no need for that.

Strive to create appreciation for the things you do have and let go of any idea of keeping up with the Joneses.

This will make it much easier to save money and keep your home clutter-free.

7 // Implement the One Touch Rule

This is a very effective rule that keeps your home clutter-free and reduces the amount of time you need for your decluttering spree.

The One Touch Rule is basically a rule where you put something away once you’re finished using it.

So scissors that cut a tag off of something get put back in the drawer when you’re finished with them.

Makeup is put away instead of being left out on the counter.

Decided you didn’t want to wear the outfit you originally chose? Hang them back up instead of tossing them on the floor.

Take action to clear clutter fast

Now that you know how to clear clutter fast, it is time to take action and put it into practice!

I’ve also created a checklist for you that includes 51 things you can declutter right now so that decluttering fast is even easier!

Final thoughts about clearing clutter fast

It is easy to clear clutter fast with my decluttering spree, and something you should utilize every day to keep your home clutter-free!

Using the additional tips I’ve shared will reduce the time you need for your decluttering sprees and help you keep your home clean and tidy in an effortless way.

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