How to declutter every week, every month, and every year

A consistent spring cleaning will be easier if you declutter regularly.

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It doesn’t matter if you live in an apartment or a large house, clutter can quickly build up. Sometimes it’s a kitchen countertop or the desk in your home office. We all leave things out and say we’ll take care of it tomorrow, then end up pushing that day back again and again. Because of this, mess accumulates and our homes are the source of headaches instead of peace.

It can feel overwhelming to dive in at once. However, it is possible to schedule key areas to be cleared regularly to make things easier. But where should you start? These are the spaces professional organizers recommend decluttering Weekly, monthly, and annually

:How to Declutter Every Room in Your Home—Fast

How to Declutter Every Week

Countertops, Flat Surfaces, Refrigerator

We’ve all been there. It’s been a long day and we end up throwing a stack of mail on the kitchen countertop, leave out those empty pizza boxes we’re not quite ready to break down, or pile up reusable grocery bags after unloading the groceries. Even in open-concept homes, things quickly get messy.

Jennifer Jarrett is a professional organizer and the founder of Jenuinely ContainedAccording to, it is a good idea to clean out countertops at least once a week. “Any flat surface is fair game for putting crap down on,” she says. “Don’t know where you can put all that mail you left behind while you were away?” A flat surface. You aren’t sure where to put the artwork that your children bring home every day from school. Any flat surface. It can be a convenient and quick solution, but if it isn’t kept in check, it’s fast to get cluttered.”

At the end of each week, Jarrett walks through the common areas of her home with a “put-back basket” and collects items that have landed in the wrong place. “Once I’ve cleared off the countertops I redistribute the items to their proper location,” she explains. “Crumpled wrappers, trash. Random belt, kids’ room. Lip gloss, my purse, etc.”

Jarrett says that the refrigerator should be cleared out every week. If you only shop for groceries once a week, it is a good idea to declutter the fridge before you head to the store. You can start by getting rid of any items that are not in their prime. Not sure? Check this. food expiration dates guide To determine whether you should keep these questionable items in the fridge or throw them out,

Finally, make a mental note of anything that’s not expired but definitely needs to be eaten in the upcoming days before it spoils. “Move those items to the front of the fridge and work them into your upcoming meal plan,” Ashley Murphy, professional organizer and co-founder of NEAT Method, says. You can sort the items into different categories and store them in drawers, bins or shelves. Each zone can be labeled with removable labels so everyone is on the same page. Don’t forget to leave a spot for leftovers.”

Monthly

Pantry

Jarrett explained that pantry items can last a lot longer than refrigerated, so you only need to declutter once a month. She recommends checking for expired items and throwing them out. “Make sure that all other items are securely closed,” she says. Chip clips work best here. It is also a good time to get rid of those impulse-buy items that never gained traction, such as that dill pickle popcorn that nobody liked, or those baked lentil potato chips that tasted like cardboard.”

Then, Jarrett recommends grouping similar items together—chips with chips, pasta with pasta, nuts with nuts, etc.

Murphy recommends that you implement a tracking system in order to avoid losing your place in the future, as well as to reduce food waste. riser For a better view of canned goods and how to store categorized condiments onto them, turntables. “Transparent canisters are perfect for storing staples at eye level so you can keep an eye on [what you have in] Murphy says stock. “Lastly, corral remaining categories into labeled bins and baskets.”

:The 19 Best Kitchen Cabinet Organizers for Every Storage Need

Yearly

Closet, Paperwork, Toys

Jarrett, co-founders and NEAT Method founders recommend that you clean out your closets every season. “For this area, you want to pull everything out. Jarrett confirms that everything is allowed. A rolling clothes rack is a great way to store all your clothes while you sort them. If there are space constraints, this area can also be done in sections.”

NEAT Method co-founder Marissa Hagmeyer suggests considering letting go of any items you haven’t worn in the past six months. “Set them aside for donation,” she says. “It’s also a good time to pass on items that no longer fit, are stained, or have seen better days. Don’t be afraid to send pictures to an honest friend for their opinion on pieces that you’re on the fence about.”

Files and other paperwork, like credit card statements—if you still get them in the mail—are also things that should be decluttered annually. “Following tax season is a good time to give files a glance to see if there are any items you’re holding onto unnecessarily,” Hagmeyer says. “If you don’t already have a file system in place, we suggest sorting them by category and using hanging file folders within an office drawer or modular box. Align the tabs in a straight row and alphabetize for an easy visual.”

Not least, toys can cause frustration and clutter in the home of young children. So, every time a birthday comes around, it’s time to get rid of some things. “Depending on your child’s age, you may or may not want to include them in the process of making those decisions,” Hagmeyer says. “Set aside anything that is no longer age-appropriate, as well as anything they haven’t played with in the past four months. Consider putting the less-used toys in a bag and cycling them out every few month. If your child doesn’t seem to be interested in the toys, you can say good-bye.

:5 Simple Decluttering Strategies to Make Letting Go of Items Easier

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