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.
Bernice says
I enjoyed your suggestions so much. I am 75 years old and know that I am never too old to learn new things. I am cleaning off my kitchen counters. Thank you!
Carla Cochran says
Thank you for your blog!!! It is extremely helpful. At my age, empty nester, it is true… your children leave and you finally look around snd ask… “What happened?! Where did all this STUFF come from?!”
It really can be a problem!!! My husband and I don’t buy anything extra anymore. Only the essentials. God has blessed us with so much. It’s time to give back!
Carla Cochran says
Joshua… I have an extensive and expensive library ? of antique books. What do you suggest I do with them? I really do t want to get rid of them… especially now that I have a granddaughter. Your thoughts?!
readingmama says
Antique books are trendy decorations! It’s OK to keep things that bring you joy! Arrange them artfully on your shelves and enjoy! It’s the piles of unused unnecessary clutter that bring stress and need to be gutted (I have a hard time getting rid of books, too! The way I talk myself into periodically reducing my library of books is by saying I am putting them back into circulation so others can enjoy them!).
Lottie says
Google used book dealers…in our town we have book sellers that will come to your home and do an estimate on what your books are worth and they may even buy them! New homes, for old books!
Naomi says
Adults need to put their toys away each evening also! Great article, some ideas I’ll definitely be adding to my routine.
leslie says
Good article! I love that it was practical and easy to read! It all made sense. thank you
Faysal Sikder says
I too love the concept of keeping the kitchen dishes cleaned and counters cleared. I just recently moved and have a bit more to do, but I am enjoying the process immensely.
Maria Pinto says
With Covid the Libraries in my town have only Curbside Pickup & will not take donations. But Post Covid I am sure they will start again, accepting Dvd’s, Books, & Magazines. If you are able to set aside perfectly good magazines you will most likely be able to donate them. For me it is a treat because they sell them for a whopping .25 cents. compared to an average of $10.00 in the stores.
Jane Watson says
Great idea to take unwanted books to the library. Thanks
Linda says
We have “little libraries” in our city, and there is one outside our area’s library. It looks like a little house on a pole. There is a big window in the front, and it’s a “take a book, leave a book” kind of thing. But I’ve taken a bagful of books and stuffed them in there neatly, and sometimes I just take one or two for my MIL. If you read, they’re a great place to drop off some books every time you go to the library. Our library doesn’t take donations of books.
Judy says
Hi not sure if all libraries have this but where I live there is an App called Lily. All u need is a library card. You can borrow books, magazines etc and read them in your phone, internet or Kindle. Due to Covid library was closed but reading on my Kindle is great! Try it! I think u will like it and it also saves the clutter of books being read and money being spent!
Maria Pinto says
Thanks Joshua for the little bits of humor you have inserted in these tips. Decluttering may be daunting but put on some music, take your time and then enjoy the end results.
I too love the concept of keeping the kitchen dishes cleaned and counters cleared. I just recently moved and have a bit more to do, but I am enjoying the process immensly.
BJohnson says
Where I have found the most hepful to be minimalist is when i am in my office. after being retired, i became minimalist not by choice, but now love it. i used to have the compulsion to keep all my notes, letters, bills and statements and even have them in several boxes for future audit. i own my business that came to a close after i was hospitalized and being on disability. so, with my mails when they actually come in, i open it keep the letters to read in a pile, then all the empty envelop in a second pile. This way, I only have a light amount of papers to read, and i keep the used envelops as scrapepapers. i have seen a lot of more space on my desk ever since. although i only shred once the pile is getting bigger (if i am mindful with my dates) it also is a good way to save the environment.
Linda says
I keep my bills for at least a year, and then have great fun running the shredder …
Shannon says
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