Hello World! Welcome Friends! Whether you made a New Year’s resolution to tidy up or it’s Spring Cleaning time, taking the first steps to declutter your apartment can feel overwhelming.
There are many reasons to commit to decluttering your home, not least of which being space. Having too much clutter lying around can be a tripping or fire hazard. Plus, taking the time to clean your apartment makes you less likely to get sick, not to mention the mental health benefits that coincide with a clean home!
How Do I Get Started?
First things first, you need to get your head in the game. An excellent place to start is to take a step back and recognize that decluttering is a process you take one step at a time.
Cleaning and organizing can take some time to reach your end goal, and it’s okay if you do things little by little. It’s alright if you don’t finish decluttering your living room and your office all in one day. Of course, if you want faster results, there are plenty of cleaning services available to help, such as hiring Executive Cleaning Services, LLC.
Four Steps to Declutter Your Apartment
Once you’ve decided to commit to cleaning, follow these steps to clear the clutter and make your apartment feel like home again.
1. Make a Plan
Everyone’s lifestyle and way of thinking are different, and as such, there’s no magical “one-size-fits-all” declutter plan. With that in mind, making your own plan is the best place to begin.
Figure out what areas you use most often and start there. If you find something that doesn’t belong in that target area, set it aside.
If you use your desk and living room every day but rarely cook, consider those two high-traffic areas as potential starting points. Then, move on to the kitchen later.
Just don’t give in to the temptation to stop cleaning one room halfway through! Completing your apartment declutter in small chunks will lend a sense of accomplishment and keep you motivated until the entire apartment is tidy.
2. Little Things Make Big Differences
Plans are great, but don’t be afraid to break that plan into smaller pieces! Set small attainable goals, and you will see they quickly compound and make a massive improvement in your apartment’s situation.
Let’s say you focus on your office. Break down the decluttering into smaller steps, such as:
- Tidy up papers
- Remove trash
- Put books away
- Put other office supplies where they belong
- Sweep
3. Remove the Clutter
Clutter can be hard to identify. Over time, we naturally seem to accrue “stuff.” Things like books, clothes, and mementos are all great to have, as long as they have a place when not in use. Otherwise, they can get in the way and become “clutter.”
So, about once a year, try adopting the three-pile-purge method. Grab three bags, and label them as follows:
- Keep: Put items in here that you want to keep but need a home: photos, awards, meaningful mementos, and the like. Then, after you finish cleaning, find homes for these items!
- Donate: Gently worn clothing, old toys, furniture, that extra coffee mug—things you can live without but someone else might be able to use should go here.
- Discard: If something is broken or contains outdated information, pitch it.
Once you have your three piles, don’t be afraid to ask friends or family for help. Maybe they want some hand-me-downs from your donation pile!
While you’re at it, make sure you set aside anything you come across that doesn’t belong to you. If you find most of your clutter belongs to other people, consider a conversation with the owner and suggest they get a personal storage unit so you can reclaim your space.
4. Make a Routine
It’s essential to establish a regular cleaning routine to declutter your apartment continually. It’ll save you work in the long run by turning on huge annual declutter into smaller daily or weekly tasks.
If you use something, get into the habit of putting it away when you are finished. Above and beyond that, try to do a couple of daily chores:
- Empty the trash: Bathroom, kitchen, and office. Combine and empty every day.
- Sweep or vacuum: The main walking paths of your apartment should be cleaned daily.
- Wipe surfaces: Sanitize common surfaces like your bathroom sink, kitchen counter, and desk.
- Wash dishes: Don’t let dirty dishes sit overnight.
Get Professional Assistance Here and There If Necessary!
There may be times when they cannot do certain jobs for one reason or another. Perhaps you’ve become too busy or maybe something is a little too difficult. This is where professional help can come along. Not only will they do a stellar job but they’ll likely give you plenty of advice for the future. You’ve probably wondered ‘How Much Does Pest Control Cost?’ in the past in case you find yourself in trouble with small intruders – there will likely be a great option around the corner for you! The same applies to professional cleaning services – there will be plenty around who can help you out and give you a leg up!
A Last Bit of Advice
Relax. Your apartment needs to be comfortable and functional for you. Your apartment doesn’t need to be show-room-ready 24/7. There’s no white glove test for you when you finish cleaning.
If you feel overwhelmed by the amount of cleaning your apartment needs, perhaps a professional organizer can help. Consider booking a regular cleaning or deep cleaning today. And if you have any tips on how you declutter your apartment, drop a comment below! We love hearing from you.
Click the links below for any posts you have missed:
Residential Architects and your Dream House
4 Things You Should Know About Campervans
10 Ways to Make Your Home a Happy Place
Reasons to Consider a Retirement Home
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Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful day/night depending on where you are in the world! Go with God and remember to be kind to one another!
Toodles,
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