Several years ago, my family and I decided to pursue minimalism. Since then, we have tried to remove all of the possessions from our home that are not essential. In doing so, we have found new opportunity to spend our time, energy, and finances on the things that are most important to us.
Also, we became far more observant about how our things rob us of our precious freedom. We have learned that just like most families, no matter how hard we try to stop it, stuff inevitably continues to enter our home… nearly every single day.
So we work hard to remove any clutter that begins to accumulate in our home. Along the way, we have picked up (and try to practice) some helpful clutter busting routines to help those who are just getting started with minimalist living.
Here are 15 Clutter Busting Routines we have found helpful in our home:
1. Place junk mail immediately into a recycling bin. Take note of the natural flow of mail into your home. Placing a recycling container prior to your “mail drop-off zone” can catch most of that junk mail before it even reaches your counter. And as an added bonus, you’ll begin to look through less of it too (think advertisements).
2. Store kitchen appliances out of sight. Toasters, can openers, coffee makers… they all take up space. And while it may not seem like much space by looking at them, the first time you prepare dinner on a counter without them present, you’ll quickly notice the difference when you have a minimalist kitchen. If you think it’s going to be a hassle putting them away every morning, don’t. It takes less than 6 seconds to put each appliance away… once you’ve found a home for it that is.
3. Remove 10 articles of clothing from your closet today. Go ahead. If you are typical, it’ll take you roughly 5 minutes to grab 10 articles of clothing that you no longer wear and throw them in a box. Your remaining clothes will fit better in your closet. Your closet will be able to breathe again. And if you write “Goodwill” on the box when you are done, you’ll feel better about yourself as soon as you drop it off. Most likely, you’ll find yourself inspired to do it again.
4. Fold clean clothes / Remove dirty clothes immediately. The way I handle clothes these days is one of the biggest clutter changes I have made in my life. Unfortunately, I used to be a “throw-them-on-the-floor” guy. But now I handle each one right when I take it off. Dirty clothes down the clothes chute. Clean clothes back to the hanger or drawer. That’s it. It’s really that simple. How do the dirty ones magically appear clean and folded in my closet you ask… I’m not sure. You’ll need to ask my wife.
5. Kids’ bedroom toys live in the closet. Not on the floor. Not on the dresser. But in the closet. And when the closet gets too full of toys, it’s time to make some room. Hint, it’s usually safe to remove the toys at the bottom of the pile.
6. Kids pick up their toys each evening. This has countless benefits: 1) It teaches responsibility. 2) It helps kids realize that more isn’t always better. 3) The home is clean for mom and dad when the kids are in bed. 4) It’s a clear indication that the day has come to an end. Gosh, you’d think with all these benefits it would be easier for us to get the kids to do it…
7. Fill your containers for the garbage man. Use every trash pick-up day as an excuse to fill your recycling containers and/or garbage cans. Grab a box of old junk from the attic… old toys from the toy room… old food from the pantry… old paperwork from the office. If once a week is too often, do this exercise every other week. You’ll get the hang of it. And may even begin to enjoy trash morning… okay, I won’t go that far.
8. Halve decorations. No seriously, I mean it. Grab a box and walk through your living room. Remove decorations from shelves, tables, and walls that aren’t absolutely beautiful or meaningful. You may like it better than you think. If not, you can always put them back. But I’d bet my wife’s old high school yearbooks that you won’t return all of them.
9. Wash dishes right away. Hand washing some dishes takes less time than putting them in the dishwasher. This applies to cups, breakfast bowls, dinner plates, and silverware. If hand washed right after eating, it takes hardly any time at all. If however, hand washing is just not an option for you, be sure to put used dishes in the dishwasher right away. Nobody likes walking into a kitchen with dishes piled up in the sink or on the counter… and it’s even less fun eating in there. Practice kitchen counter organization to have a clutter-free countertop.
10. Unmix and match cups, bowls, plates, and silverware. Uniformity makes for better stacking, storing, and accessing. If there is a souvenir cup or mug that is so important to you that you can’t live without it, that’s perfectly fine. Just don’t keep 5 of them. Mom, any chance you are reading this?
11. Keep your desk clear, clean, and minimalistic. Drawers can adequately house most of the things needed to keep your desk functional. And a simple filing system should keep it clear of paper clutter. The next person who sits down to use the desk will thank you.
12. Store your media out of sight. Make a home for dvd’s, cd’s, video games, and remote controls. They don’t need to be in eyesight, you use them less than you think. And if you remove them from your eyesight… maybe you’ll use them even less.
13. Always leave room in your coat closet. There are two reasons why coats, shoes, and outerwear keep ending up scattered throughout your home rather than in your closet. The first reason is because your coat closet is so full, it’s a hassle to put things away and retrieve them quickly. Leave room on the floor, on the hangers, and on the shelves for used items to be quickly put away and retrieved. The second reason is because you have kids… but you’re on your own with that one.
14. Keep flat surfaces clear. Kitchen counters, bathroom counters, bedroom dressers, tabletops… After you clear them the first time, keeping them clean takes daily effort. Receipts, coins, and paper clutter just keep coming and coming… it’s just easier the second time around.
15. Finish a magazine or newspaper. Process or recycle immediately. If you’ve finished the paper product, process it and rid yourself of its clutter immediately. Good recipe in there? Put it in your recipe box and recycle the rest. Good article that your husband will enjoy? Clip it and recycle. Article that your friend will enjoy? Clip it, mail it, and recycle (or better yet, search for it online and send it that way). Coupon too good to pass up? Cut it out and recycle. Stacks of magazines and newspapers serve little purpose in life but to clutter a room.
Erin says
I have been wanting to start my de-cluttering minimalist lifestyle for a bit now so I googled the topic and your article came up. Thank you for these tips, I can’t wait to start implementing them into my life. Best, Erin
Englishmuffin says
I have to agree with this comment. Although others have stated that they share chores, which is fine, I don’t think it is a good look for a joke to be made about the wife doing the husband’s laundry.
I actually do do my husband’s laundry and still don’t like the joke.
Also, how many people actually have a laundry chute to send down the dirty clothes?
MM says
What a blessing it is to be able to serve others! I receive such joy while ‘doing unto others’. Whether cleaning a toilet, preparing a meal, folding clothes, etc. it provides me with the opportunity to pray blessings over the recipient/s while doing something to bless another.
Our home laundry room is not near bedrooms, so I provided 2 small plastic milk crates in each closet for dirty lights and darks. Once full, each person takes their crate/s to the laundry room. In there, wash & dry instructions are posted, and child taught by age nine to do their own, completing each step: Sort/Treat-Wash-Dry-Fold/Hang-PutAway.
Children thrive on encouragement and accomplishment.
If you make it fun, it will get done.
When kids were ‘littles’, we sang our own little diddy about ‘it’s time to clean up/pick up’, and set a timer to see who could ‘race & finish’ before the timer went off. We also set up a rule of only 3 toys/child out at any time, or would need to trade out one for another. Life was MUCH simpler/easier!
Andrea says
This is exactly how I live, and the sense of freedom is amazing!
Tricia says
Me, too! And I can’t believe everyone doesn’t want to. Joshua’s advice is excellent.
Liz says
Great info! As a retiree, I’m overwhelmed with stuff! Making a plan now based on your ideas to move to a smaller place!
Thanks!
Greta Seward says
That’s funny that you said that. I was making chicken tortilla soup this morning. I grabbed my old metal can opener and used it. I was thinking, “I had an electric one years ago and never used it.
I guess I donated it.”
If u don’t use it, out it goes!
Lu says
I have been following your readings for about a month or so now. I am now at 13 full trash bags of unused items from my home that I have donated to Candle Lighters. The de-cluttering is making me feel better and less stress. I have downsized my gas guzzler for a more fuel efficient car. When I go shopping, I question myself, “do you really need that? Will it serve a real purpose? Or are you going to use that before it spoils?” I have sold my 4BR/3 full bath home (I had been planning to sell before reading on minimalism) and looking for one for 2 people and 2 dogs (and cost less).
My next decluttering goal is to tackle the garage!
Nancy Slaybaugh says
Restore (Habitat for Humanity) takes tools and building materials.