How To Clear Unnecessary Items From Home?
There comes a time in all of our lives when unnecessary stuff piles up in every corner of the house. Closets become so full that it becomes difficult to close the drawers, and space has to be found to walk on the floor. This clutter not only affects the beauty of our home but also negatively affects our mental health.
But the good news is that making your home clean, organized and comfortable is not an impossible task. Rather, it is a process that can be completed in just one day with proper planning.
Why Is It Necessary To Clean The House?
A clean and organized home not only looks beautiful but is also extremely beneficial for your mental health. Research has shown that a clean environment has positive effects on the human brain, reducing stress, improving sleep quality, and improving decision-making ability.
According to a report published in the Harvard Business Review, home clutter affects a person’s decision-making ability. When your environment is fragmented, your mind is constantly busy making small decisions, which drains your energy and reduces your ability to focus.
Step 1: Determine Your Goal
The first step to successful decluttering is to clearly state your goal. Without a goal, your enthusiasm will quickly fade and you won’t be able to make important decisions.
Be sure to ask yourself this question:
“Why do I want to clean my house?”
“Do I want more space or just peace of mind?”
“Do I want to make my home more efficient?”
The answers to these questions will determine the direction of your journey and facilitate decision making.
Step 2: The Four Boxes Technique
This technique is very popular among decluttering experts around the world. For this you will need four large boxes or bags, which you will label as follows:
- Keep: Things that are essential to you and that you use regularly.
- Donate: Items that are usable but unnecessary to you.
- Throw away: Items that are damaged or cannot be reused.
- Move: Things that should not be kept in this room but belong in another part of the house.
Go through every room in your house and make sure to put everything in one of these four boxes. This process will help you make decisions in a systematic way.
Step 3: Schedule To Clean The Entire House In One Day
If you want to clean your house quickly, the following schedule may help you:
| Time | Task | Focus Area |
| 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM | Breakfast & Planning | Create Checklist |
| 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM | Declutter Bedroom | Clothes, Shoes, Drawers |
| 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Declutter Living Room | Books, Decor, Electronics |
| 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Declutter Kitchen | Expired Items, Utensils |
| 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Bathroom & Storage | Towels, Bottles, Cleaners |
| 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM | Final Review | Donation Bags Ready |
Step 4: Dealing With Emotional Issues
The hardest thing to do is to detach from things that have emotional attachment. People often say: “How can I throw this away, it holds so many memories for me!”
In such a situation, follow these rules:
“If you haven’t used this item in the last 12 months, you don’t need it.”
Take pictures of these things to preserve memories, but free up space.
Keep a single “memories box” and keep only the most precious things in it.
Step 5: Seven Extraordinary Ways To Clean The House
Inverted Hanger Method: Hang all the hangers in the closet in the same direction. When you use a cloth, hang it in the other direction. After three months, donate the clothes that are in their original position.
- One-in-one-out rule: Whenever you buy something new, get the old thing out of the house.
- Time Constraints: Clean one small area for just 15 minutes a day.
- Photo Challenge: Take a before and after photo of one area cleaned each day.
- Guest Test: Think about what area you would feel embarrassed about if a guest suddenly came over? Clean the same area.
- One room at a time: Instead of cleaning the entire house at once, focus on one room at a time.
Minimize decorations: Minimize decorative items on walls and furniture.
Step 6: Maintain A Clean Home
Keeping the house clean is not a one-time task, but a lifestyle. You can always keep your house organized by adopting the following habits:
Everything should have its place.
Put things in their designated place after daily use.
Do a small cleaning once a week.
Do a major cleaning every six months.
Before buying something, always think: “Do I really need this thing?
Can the whole house really be cleaned in one day?
Yes, it is totally possible if you work with a plan and dedicate a whole day for this work. With six to eight hours of continuous work, you can feel a noticeable difference in your home.
If the heart does not want to throw things?
This is a common problem. In that case, take pictures of these items, or donate them to someone in need. When you know that your item is of use to someone, you will be less sad to give it up.
Does cleaning the house really reduce stress?
Absolutely. A number of scientific studies have proven that a clean environment has a calming effect on the human mind. Clutter creates anxiety in our mind, while an organized environment helps us feel relaxed.
Is it really necessary to make a list?
Making a list is very important as it organizes your work and helps you see how much work you have completed. This keeps you motivated and you don’t get distracted from the task.
Conclusion
Clearing the house of unnecessary items is actually a practice of lightening yourself. It’s not just about throwing things away, it’s an opportunity to create more space, more time, and more peace in your life.
When you clean and organize your home, you are actually cleaning your mind. You are creating an environment for yourself that is not only beautiful to look at, but also comfortable to live in.
Start cleaning your home today and feel the change yourself.