Decluttering Guide

1. Start Early: Begin at least a month before moving.
2. Use a Checklist: Helps track progress.
3. One Room at a Time: Focus prevents overwhelm.
4. Donate, Sell, Recycle: Decide what to do with items you don’t need.
5. Use Boxes: Label them: ‘Keep’, ‘Donate’, ‘Sell’, ‘Recycle’.

6. Question Every Item: If not used in a year, consider letting go.
7. Measure Furniture: Ensure it fits in your new space.
8. Digitalize: Convert DVDs, CDs, and paperwork to digital forms.
9. Involve Family: Assign tasks to each member.
10. Stay Consistent: Dedicate time daily to decluttering.

Living Room

Kitchen

Bedrooms

Bathroom

Garage/Storage Areas

📚 Books and Magazines: Identify which ones you truly value. Keep favorites and donate the rest. Consider these steps:

• Review each item individually.
• Donate items you won’t revisit to libraries or charity shops.
• Recycle outdated magazines.

🎍 Decorations: Decor items should fit the aesthetic of your new home. Simplify by:

• Evaluating each decoration for its emotional value or fit with your new space’s style.
• Gifting or donating items that no longer serve your taste.

💻 Electronics: Outdated or unused electronics can clutter your space. Streamline by:

• Selling or donating working electronics you no longer use.
• Recycling old gadgets responsibly.
• Remove the batteries.

🛋️ Furniture: Furniture should be functional and fit in your new living space.

• Measure large items to ensure they fit in your new home.
• Sell or donate pieces that won’t fit or you no longer need.
• Disassemble the furniture.

🍽️ Utensils and Cookware: Kitchens often harbor unused items. Reduce clutter by:

• Keeping only complete sets and frequently used items.
• Donating or selling duplicates and items in good condition that you rarely use.

🔪 Appliances: Small appliances can take up valuable space.

• Evaluate which appliances you use regularly.
• Sell, donate, or recycle appliances that are no longer in use.

🥣 Food Containers: Mismatched lids and containers can create unnecessary clutter.

• Pair lids with their containers.
• Recycle or dispose of any without matches or that are in poor condition.

🥡 Pantry: Expired or unused items can accumulate.

• Sort through food items, discarding expired products.
• Donate non-perishable items that you won’t use.

👔 Clothing: One of the largest clutter categories in bedrooms. Streamline your wardrobe by:

• Trying on clothes to ensure they fit and are in good condition.
• Keeping only those items you love and wear regularly.
• Donating or selling clothes that no longer fit or you haven’t worn in the past year.

🛏️ Bedding and Linens: Closets can be overflowing with excess bedding.

• Keep two sets of bedding for each bed for rotation.
• Donate unused or old sets to animal shelters or charity organizations.

📔 Books and Personal Items: Bedrooms often accumulate personal items and books.

• Review your book collection, keeping only those you’ll re-read or have sentimental value.
• Evaluate personal items, keeping only those that are meaningful or necessary.
• Prepare a special, separate storage area for memorabilia

🪑 Furniture: Ensure your bedroom furniture will fit and serve a purpose in your new space.

• Measure furniture and compare with the dimensions of your new bedroom.
• Sell or donate items that won’t fit or you no longer need.
• Disassemble the furniture.

💊 Medicines and Cosmetics: Bathrooms often contain expired or unused items.

• Safely dispose of expired medications.
• Toss out old cosmetics and skincare products that are past their prime.

🧺 Towels and Bathmats: Assess your linens for wear and necessity.

• Keep a set of towels per person and a couple of extras for guests.
• Donate old towels to animal shelters or use them as rags for cleaning.

🪒 Bathroom Accessories: Declutter your countertops by minimizing accessories.

• Keep only daily use items accessible; store away infrequently used items.
• Evaluate what you truly use and need, discarding or donating the rest.

🛁 Shower and Bathtub: Sort through your shower products.

• Discard empty or unused products.
• Limit yourself to a reasonable amount of in-use products to avoid clutter.

⚒️ Tools and Equipment: The garage often houses tools, lawn equipment, and hardware. Organize by:

• Keeping tools you use regularly and are in good condition.
• Selling or donating tools and equipment you no longer need or have duplicates of.

🛹 Outdoor Gear: Items like camping equipment, sports gear, and bicycles can accumulate.

• Assess the condition and how often you use each item.
• Keep what you regularly use and is in good shape; consider selling or donating the rest.

🧤 Seasonal Items: Decorations and seasonal gear can take up a lot of space.

• Keep only seasonal items you use annually and are in good condition.
• Donate or sell decorations that you no longer display.

📥 Storage Boxes: Review the contents of any stored boxes.

• Sort through boxes, keeping only items that are necessary or have sentimental value.
• Consider digitizing photos or documents to save space.