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The ABC's of Conquering Clutter

By
Real Estate Agent with Prudential Preferred Realtors

Clutter is an issue that everyone deals with, unless you are like my girlfriend who moves every two years and therefore stays more on top of the clutter than the rest of us.  I'm currently "decluttering" my house and let me tell you this is one of the worst projects I've ever done, but I know in the long run it will pay off especially when we move and we don't have to go back through all that junk!

Here's the ABC's on Controlling Clutter

A - A Place for Everything

  • Storage areas for the jackets, backpacks, boots, and dirty shoes.  A place to keep it looking neat and tidy.
  • First Aid Kit should be readily available and organized for when the "emergency" appears.
  • Medical Records should be easily accessible.  Once a year, you should see what medical items need to be taken care of and get them on the calendar.  For example, I know that I'm very overdue for my tetanus shot and was reminded to take care of that the other day.

B - Baskets, Baskets, and More Baskets

  • Baskets make for easy pickup especially for the kids.
  • Large bins are great for the yard toys and garage gear.
  • Treasure box - let the kids take down the refrigerator projects and school papers and put them into the treasure box.  P.S. not everything needs to be kept!
  • Craft drawer or basket makes it easy when the kids want to do a project and they can easily find the items themselves.

C- Conquer the Clutter

  • Seasonal purge - donate the items that you haven't used in the last year.  It will help you clean up your house and also help someone in need.
  • Under-the-bed containers - great ways of "hiding" the extra clothes or items that don't need to be out.

If you have any more ideas or suggestions, feel free to give input.  These are the things that have helped me get my household in order.

References: Fix, Alexandra.  "Kid Clutter Control from A to Z." Women's LifeStyle. August 2007.

Comments (5)

Susan Trombley
Trombley Real Estate - Wake Forest, NC
Broker/Realtor, Raleigh, Cary, Wake Forest, Youngs
Oh yes you need to go through everything I believe like every fall or when ever you set the time do it and get rid of it. My husband and me when ever we shop if we buy something new we through away something old.
Aug 28, 2007 06:25 AM
Dotti Driver
Sky Realty - Austin, TX
GRI, E-Pro Realtor
This is an ongoing project.  I clean out my closets once a year.  I donate anything that I haven't worn or am tired of wearing.  I also clean linen closets and kitchen drawers while I'm at it.  It's amazing how much junk one can accumulate in a year.
Aug 28, 2007 06:31 AM
Jason Sardi
Auto & Home & Life Insurance throughout North Carolina - Charlotte, NC
Your Agent for Life

Tammy,

At home, I'm very good at this.  At work, not so much.  I should print out your blog and tape it to my desk.  Then again, I might not be able to find it:-)

Aug 28, 2007 07:33 AM
Tammy Stone
Prudential Preferred Realtors - Grand Rapids, MI
"Eco-Green" Agent in West Michigan

Susan - great idea something new comes in, something old goes out.

Dotti - I try to clean out once a year but I usually don't!

Jason - It's very hard to be clutter free when you work from home. Usually, my home looks pretty good but the office area is a mess.  Today, was my day to get through the clutter in the office... I'm halfway there:)

Aug 28, 2007 07:49 AM
Adam Waldman
Westcott Group Real Estate Company - Hauppauge, NY
Realtor - Long Island
Tammy - thanks for the helpful tips.  I am going to bookmark this and then print it out once I make room on the refrigerator for it.(LOL)
Sep 03, 2007 11:39 PM