So many of the things we read about when discussing decluttering tells us we need to dive in and meticulously go through individual items. Putting things in piles, bins, labeling them, etc. The thing is… that isn’t decluttering at all. That is organizing.
Now, that is one way to do things, of course. It’s the slow and steady way that takes time and dedication and ultimately gets you to an end goal: a clutter free home. But I have a different approach.
It’s called the 1-day dump.
This is the fastest and least stressful way to declutter your house ever. A bit unconventional… but totally works.
Here we go.
In each area of your home that needs decluttered (which might be every room and hallway in your entire house house) dump everything into a bin.
Yes, everything.
With the exception of the things you know you absolutely need on a daily basis (think, remotes in the living room, toothbrushes in the bathroom) get rid of everything.
You hanging in there with me?
Then, only take out the most necessary things you think you should put back. We’re talking BARE MINIMUM necessities.
Don’t worry – we aren’t throwing anything away.
Your things aren’t going anywhere. Well, at least not to the trash.
It’s going to storage.
Here’s why: For starters, we have a really hard time parting with things forever. So instead of having to go through our home for days having the stressful thought process of do I need this or do I not, we’re just going to table it. Just not deal with it for a moment.
Second, now we have all of these things in a contained space and not strewn all over our house. We can take all the bins, write where the stuff came from on top, and put them in the basement, attic, garage, or storage.
You may soon realize after you’ve cleaned out a room that you do desperately need that one thing you tossed in the bin. Great, you’ve still got it! Just go pull it from the box.
Or, you may realize you truly aren’t missing any of it. And you may find yourself soon ready to toss them to the curb or donate.
The most important thing is to declutter your house in the fastest and simplest way so you can remove the stress from your home. Clutter causes depression, weight gain and totally kills your focus. It’s important we get rid of it.
Here are a few tips.
First of all this Declutter Course takes the 1-Day Dump to a whole other level and really gets to the heart of the mess.
Second, use your best judgement and common sense. Obviously. For instance, the kitchen. It’s probably not feasible to put everything in your kitchen cabinets in a box. BUT, I do think you can easily look at a drawer and say, “On any given day I use the measuring cups and spoons, ice cream scooper and and two spatulas. For now, I will take the rest out and place it in a bin.”
But the smaller rooms and closets, you should pull EVERYTHING out and restart.
It’s super important to look at that room or closet like you are just moving in. If you just were looking at it for the first time, how would you set it up? I guarantee you that you wouldn’t just take all of your things and dump it in.
Decluttering a house that has been accumulating things for years isn’t so simple. But you can make a huge step forward with this system.
Good luck!!
Liz is a just a mom trying to keep it real about how little she sleeps, how often she gets puked on and how much she loves them. You can find her here every day writing about real-mom moments.
Interesting idea. I think I will try it.
I love this idea! Smiled all the way thru reading.
This sounds very feasible to me. There have been times that I ‘HAD’ to empty a room and dog gone it, this is exactly what I did. Everything went into boxes and only took out what was absolutely necessary. Why I didn’t put this together myself?…… Thanks for the kick in the head to do exactly this again. But one room at a time.
So on point!!! Why have we made this so hard??? Thank you for putting it in print!!! Sometimes we think about a task like decluttering and think about it so much it becomes too overwhelming. I’m going to try this!!!
I have one question: where do I find bins that big??
Seriously, though, this is a GREAT idea, and I’m going to try it!
Love it! Doing it! Thank you:)
Great idea. One of the reasons I never started some of the other methods of decluttering is that they tell you that you must do it slowly. You are right. Having a cluttered home does cause depression and makes you feel paralyzed to do anything. I’m definitely going to try this.
I’m confused because when I click through to the course info, it says $64 but then further down you say it’s $39.
yes! this is what I have recently started to envision. What do I truly need in here? Needing to empty house to renovate. Totally procrastinating on the start because it is so overwhelming!! Thanks for this!!
Eureka! I have been looking all over to find ways to mimimalize. This is cut and dry.
THANK YOU!
I love this idea. Part of the stress of decluttwring is throwing away things you think you will need. This is a great solution! I get anxious and stressed when I start cleaning and throwing away things. I felt very calm reading your blog knowing that it’s okay to decluttwr and not throw away just yet. I know that after a while of being in my garage it makes it easier for me to throw out things. Thank you for writing this!
I love this idea so much!
I currently live like a construction materials hoarder. Paint I’m gonna use, cabinet doors I’m gonna finish making, those I have and will install, cabinets I’ve made or need to finish, no trim other than that lying in a stack in the bedroom, on and on and on.
Every flat surface has stuff on it that needs to go … somewhere.
I’ve found, for myself, that the only way I can clean up is to build and install crap
.
That said, the construction crap is in the way of putting things away and IN the cabinets and closet I’ve built and installed.
Storage boxes here I come.
I have to first clean out a room to put the boxes in.
Step 1…
Thanks for the inspiration. I’m tried of living with what I need to finish.
Me too!!!!!
What a refreshing way to tackle stuff.
I like this concept!! I am definitely going to try this!! Just wish I can climb into husband’s cobourds!! 😁
Ha! This is the best deciliter advice EVER! I think i do it tomorrow! Maybe tonight even! Nah definitely refreshed tomorrow. I can’t wait. My McHeathens will think I’ve lost it!
McHeathens……I love it!!
This is so awesome I was just thinking about this today. Thank you for sharing, I’m not crazy lol
samcarolynbrown@msn.com
Very interested in de-cluttering my home.
I love this idea! I struggle with clutter and this is a great solution! I may just jump right in! I did something similar with the kids playroom and it didn’t occur to me how well it worked until I read this! Thank you!!
Out of everything I’ve read and everything I’ve tried, (which didn’t work) I KNOW I can do your way of dumping. Many times I’ve tossed good, usable “stuff”, only to need it the next week. Some of these things were a few hundred $. I’m sending you thankful hugs and will NEVER forget you.
Excellent way to declutter. I just did it…. it’s called moving! I put a bunch of stuff in storage to get the house ready to sell and the only thing I missed was my china at the holidays. As I unpack, I look at everything and decide what to do with it!
I’ll try this great idea of decluttering.
Awesome never would have thought to do it this way but I will do it. Thank you
Totally have to do this technique, been reading a lot about decluttering, this seems the simplest way to get started
Going to try this, I seem to be decluttering all the time, the past two years I loaded a van with boxes and bags and still have clutter. Thank you, will let you know how it works.
I did this when i was about to move into our tiny house. From 1300 square. Ft. To 386 sq. Ft. It was painful. But after we moved in to the tiny house…I did it again, and it was painless. I now have NO DESIRE TO SHOP OR STOP AT YARD SALES. If we need something we order it from eBay. This is simple and easy and not tiring at all. Plus we live out in the boonies…so it saves wear and tear on the car. (And me !)
I did something similar with teaching supplies and papers when I was fired from a job. I just couldn’t take going through it all, but I knew there were things in there that future me would want, but at the time having the things out and underfoot was just adding to my sense of loss and failure. I got me some huge totes, threw it all in, and shoved it in my storage room. It was the healthiest option at the time.
I don’t know where to start. I am piled up in one room and a tiny closet. I can’t take it
I think this is going to work for me. I’m going to try it
Hi awesome idea. Any chance that this could be audio ( have just bought your course) but love listening to your words. Happy to pay extra.
Love the concept but I don’t know how in the world I can accomplish it. I have a fairly large house but it is full of people (10-12 at any given time) and even more STUFF. Like literally every surface, all the floor is covered all the furniture is piled high the cabinets and closets are jammed. Plus two storage buildings out back and three rented storage units. So if I boxed up everything, where would I put the boxes? (No garage) HELP!!!
Finally! Thanks! I’ve been trying to get my hubby to help me declutter for so very long. With 3 special needs kids and also grandma with dementia, and toddlers to boot I’m ready to do this but know I do t have hours each day! When a great day hits that I can get stuff done I just need to do it! My hubby is in board with this method and we’re ready to rock it !
This is great! I think it’s what I will hAv to do. I have adhd severely n I can’t walk from one room to another with any thought consistency. Thank you for saying this is ok, because I’ve thought about it. Actually done it in case of impromptu visitors. Thank you,
Is the course $20 or $64 – not clear
Thank you so much!!! I can’t wait to try this method. I have been so overwhelmed and depressed over how bad my house had gotten that I’ve had no idea how to fix it or where to start! Can’t wait to start!
Just finished going thru the house and sent 6 boxes tonBig Brothers, had been hanging on to this junk . Its not there any more and dont miss it
Hi,
I think this is a great idea and a better way to declutter.
Thanks
I ditched the ‘putting it into storage’ step and just got rid of it . So far , all I have missed isin a whole year is …. one pizza stone ( found an alternative ) and 3 embroidery hoops that my Daughter in law wanted which only cost $8 to replace. I think that taught me a lesson.
SO glad to see this idea expressed! As I have watched hoarder shows, I always thought that if I could go in and help someone, this would basically be what I would want to do. You aren’t throwing things away (and the reason for the junk to start with is because of the attachments!) but, starting at the top for what means the most to a person. When they know their other junk is still secure, they won’t have the anxiety of losing it until they realize on their own that they don’t need or care for it any more.