As the Easter weekend rolls around, many of us might find ourselves thinking about more than just chocolate eggs and Easter roasts.
For some, it’s the perfect time to tackle the clutter that’s built up over time and give their home a much-needed refresh.
If you’ve been putting off spring cleaning or decluttering, you’re not alone.
In fact, about a quarter of Brits feel embarrassed by the amount of clutter in their homes, according to Good Housekeeping.
While some will eagerly grab their dusters and sort through their belongings for charity donations, there are a few common mistakes that might trip up those trying to achieve a neat and tidy home.
Thankfully, Katie Mortram, a decluttering expert at Good Housekeeping, is here to share some expert tips to help you get organized and keep things simple during your cleaning spree.
Take It One Step at a Time
Katie recommends not trying to do everything at once when it comes to cleaning and decluttering.
It can be easy to become overwhelmed, especially if you try to tackle too much in one go.
The key is to pace yourself and break down the process into manageable chunks.
She suggests setting aside regular time to declutter, making it a habit rather than something you do in one big burst.
If you have a large area to clean, don’t feel the pressure to finish it all in one day.
Instead, work through it gradually. It’s also helpful to declutter by category—like sorting shoes, coats, bags, and clothes—so you can spot duplicates and get a clear picture of just how much you own.
Don’t Be Too Hard on Yourself
A lot of people tend to get frustrated or angry with themselves when faced with a mountain of clutter.
Katie says that this is a common reaction, but it’s important to approach the process with patience and empathy for yourself.
If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, take a step back and remember to celebrate what you’ve already achieved, even if it’s just a small step forward.
Katie stresses the importance of not trying to declutter when you’re feeling angry or frustrated.
That’s when we make impulsive decisions that we might later regret. Instead, come up with a plan and take breaks when necessary.
Be Cautious with Storage Solutions
It’s tempting to buy shoe racks, hanging shelves, or storage bins to help organize your space, but Katie warns that these solutions can sometimes backfire.
If you add storage before you’ve properly decluttered, you might just end up storing things you don’t need, which could lead to more clutter in the long run.
Katie’s advice is to first go through your belongings and remove anything that’s no longer necessary.
Once you’ve pared down your items, then look for storage solutions that will actually fit the things you truly need to keep.
Make sure to measure the space before purchasing, so you don’t end up cramming things into storage that might not work for your needs.
Find the Method That Works for You
There’s no shortage of decluttering methods out there, and Katie suggests experimenting with the one that best fits your personality and cleaning style.
Whether you’re into large-scale cleaning or prefer a more methodical approach, there’s something for everyone.
Some popular methods include:
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Swedish Death Cleaning: A method designed to help ease the process of decluttering after death, focusing on eliminating non-essential items.
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KonMari: Popularized by Marie Kondo, this method involves working through items like clothes, books, and papers, asking yourself if they “spark joy.”
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Room-by-room cleaning: If you prefer a more gradual approach, you could focus on one room at a time.
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The Ski Slope Method: This fun approach involves working from side to side and top to bottom, mimicking the slopes.
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The Minimalism Game: A daily challenge where you get rid of as many items as the day of the month.
Katie suggests that whichever method you choose, make sure it’s one that resonates with you and doesn’t feel overwhelming.
Leave Sentimental Items for Last
Sentimental items—like souvenirs, old photos, and gifts—are often the hardest to part with, and Katie advises leaving these to the very end of your decluttering session.
These items tend to carry emotional value, making it difficult to decide whether to keep them or let them go.
By the time you get to these sentimental pieces, you’ll be more practiced at making decisions and will have a better sense of what you truly want to keep.
To help with this process, Katie recommends reflecting on why you’ve kept each item.
If it holds significant value to you, consider asking a friend or family member if they’d like to keep it.
This fresh perspective might help ease the decision-making process.
The Decluttering Struggle is Real
Research from Good Housekeeping UK shows that 25% of Brits are embarrassed by the clutter in their homes, while more than 40% struggle to achieve the tidy space they dream of.
A study of 1,239 people found that almost a third of respondents felt completely overwhelmed by the thought of decluttering.
Interestingly, nearly 70% of people only clean out their homes when it feels absolutely necessary, but 95% will eventually tackle it at some point.
For many, the act of decluttering brings a sense of relief, with 59% of people feeling satisfied and happy once it’s done.