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.
Laureen says
I’ve been at this for a long time, and it just gets more fun every day. This past month we took 350# of paper to be professionally shredded. This past weekend I helped my daughter clean out her pantry. It feels good, and I love the look of open space ready for something wonderful to come.
ravesmom says
I’m new to your page, and I feel like finally there’s someone else is like me. I’ve been doing all these for years, I’m still a work in process though. I look forward to reading along. So far I love what I’ve been reading. Keep up the great work!
Keyla says
By :By :By :RE: I’ve responded to that mlpuitle times too. You really do need to get your memory checked.what probably happened is you never answered the question satisfactorily and I just never wasted my time remembering why.No, what happened is you’re incapable of understanding the explanation, and therefore disregarded it.Stated differently, it’s hard to remember what you can’t understand.you can’t explain Europe’s low costs. simply can’t. you’re wrong. sorry to say it. in Europe costs are half and everyone is covered. that’s it. Rate this comment: 0 0
Teresa Forrester says
I’m still continuing my journey. As of this year over 2000 items have been removed from my home. The journey continues! There is room in my cabinets, and dusting is so much less. Cleaning the rooms that have been cleared out is simple and easy. I’m looking forward to the rest of the house getting done. I’ve even earned money off of the unused items, which is a needed bonus! Getting more is no longer the goal, so I am not bringing in as much either. Praise the Lord for this new found freedom!
Anand Menon says
Hello Joshua, Thank you so very much for this site and your postings. It means a lot. I have been a member of a spiritual organisation for 24 yrs now and believe this “clutter disease” is there everywhere. I live with my wife and I got this realization of minimal living and started giving away stuff. Just 2 of us were having so much unnecessary stuff (special spoon used by my mother to feed me – still there after 45 yrs. etc etc) that after clearing all we feel energized and focused. We do not have a TV now and are feeling more focused.
I want you to please write something about clearing stuff where there is emotional quotient. Like a dress used by a departed brother (that I am not in any way going to use as it does not fit and is outdated) etc.
Jo says
Why not take a photo of the dress so that you have the memory. :)
Shirley Corbin says
New to this site and enjoying it very much. Our local library sells donated books and magazines at rock bottom prices to make extra money. It keeps them out of the landfill and they get a second life. It’s a win-win situation. Just a thought.
Jay R says
Heh, I actually open my mail at the mail box. My recycling bin is just 2 metres away, and most of my mail ends up in there directly. Just a few select pieces of paper make it inside.
Another habit I have is to put the coat hangers of shirts I wear into my dirty clothes basket. When I pull my washing out of the machine, I have exactly the right number of coat hangers in the basket. The shirts go back on the hangers and I hang them on the line this way – no fiddling around with pegs (apart from jeans, bed sheets etc). When dry it takes one sweep of the hand to gather my shirts and they go straight into the closet from the same hand.
Terry Taylor says
Please put me on your list to receive your Mimimalist Info
click here to get started says
I can’t believe I’ve been going for years without knowing that.
Lisa Johnson says
A great post … I’ve been working at simplifying and it’s a bit tough with a packrat son and husband … but I’m getting there a little at a time. :-) Up next books …
Jazzy says
I just love reading these columns – it always inspires me to start reducing my collection of clothes – I thrift shop but when I do I always figure – hey its not expensive – so I load up, but there’s only so much a body can wear.
So off I go again to start purging…..:) Blessings to you! ♥
Renee Hollman says
Living this way is fantastic!…
Why I started? I realized it took me longer to find a tool than it did to do the project I needed the tool for…So needless to say it applies everywhere!