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If you are looking to get your house in shape, it’s always important to have the right tools in order to get the job done well. We are talking all about decluttering on the blog in our decluttering series. In this post, we are going to make the ultimate list of things that you need to declutter, including the best decluttering books and tools. Don’t forget to subscribe to the blog to get the next post in this series sent directly to your inbox!
In my last post in this series, we talked about the top five rules for decluttering and cleaning. We all want our cleaning routines to become a well-oiled machine, where we can just press go and the upkeep of our homes will take care of itself. But, all too often that is just not the case.
The first step that we need to take to get closer to a cleaning routine that just takes care of itself is to do a big decluttering session. We have to go through all of our things and really think about what is worth taking care of. We have to go through everything we own and ask ourselves: “Do we actually want this thing?” If we say no, we can put it in the trash or donate pile. If we say yes, we have to be committed to finding a ‘home’ for that object in our home.
This is the essence of decluttering. It’s just a process of evaluating an object and making a home for it.
If you do that with all of your belongings, you will find that you’ve made a home for yourself that is beautiful, lovely, calm, and orderly. (Or at least it can be made that way in 15 minutes or less.)
My Top Decluttering Books
I couldn’t do a post on the best tools for decluttering without listing out my favorite books on decluttering! If you are struggling with motivation, one of the best things to do is read this blog of course! Then, pick up one of these books to help give you the kick in the pants to get started.
This book is written by a Christian mom for other Christian moms. I love how it gets right to the heart of the matter of why you may struggle with decluttering and gives you the best tips to tackle decluttering today, all from a biblical perspective. If you are looking to handle decluttering from a Christian perspective, this is the book I would turn to.
This book is a classic on decluttering. Marie Kondo has become a household name due to her Netflix show. This book is the how-to for getting results like you see on her show. I’m not quite sure I agree with her on everything that she states because some of her ideas are grounded in some Eastern concepts (like how the objects in your home have emotions). But, she does give a matter-of-fact, simple understanding of how to start decluttering today.
This book is written by decluttering and cleaning guru, Marla Cilley. She is so relatable and breaks things down for you in a way that is motivating and easy to do. C.H.A.O.S. stands for Can’t Have Anyone Over Syndrome, and haven’t we all felt that at some point? This is a very quick read that is written almost like a blog post. If you are looking for something easy and practical, this is a great choice.
Runner Ups:
The Complete Book of Home Organization
If you would like some decluttering and organizing eye candy, these books are where you should go. Interspersed in the practical ideas for how to organize certain areas of your home are stunning pictures. Not everyone organizes how these ladies do, so keep that in mind. But, they are very pretty books.
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Other Decluttering Tools
This is indispensable for organizing because it helps you plan out how you want to organize before doing it and adds reminders for what you’ve organized after the fact. I put labels on my shelves when organizing and I also labeled each of my little containers that I used when organizing big shelves. I also used chalkboard sticker labels, dry-erase labels, and handmade tags with a laminator to mark my containers.
I used at least four laundry baskets the whole time I was decluttering my house. I labeled them with the following tags: Keep, Donate, Trash, Other Rooms. When I was done with the current room, I carried the laundry baskets to where they needed to go. I like to get stackable, bendable laundry baskets because they are easy to store out of the way when I am not using them.
Lots of Containers
You can find all sorts of designs, materials, and sizes on Amazon or at your local department store. Having lots of containers on hand helps you to quickly get drawers and shelves organized. The biggest thing: sorting out whatever you’re organizing into different categories and putting all of the same categories together in a container.
Trash Bags & Cleaning Supplies
One key step in the decluttering process is deep cleaning each area as you declutter. Since you are already going to be pulling out all the items in a drawer, closet, or shelf to reorganize them, it just makes sense to use this time to wipe our shelves, sweep or vacuum floors, and dust everything. It only takes five to ten minutes to clean out an area after you’ve taken the stuff out, so go ahead and grab your broom and some rubber gloves and get scrubbing.
Decluttering and Organizing Labels
One tool that was very useful while I was decluttering and organizing the house was my decluttering and organizing labels. I printed out these tags, cut them out, and laminated them. Then, I attached them using either twine or tape. Tying them onto my baskets has proved to stand the test of time.
As I said, labeling proves to be one of the most foolproof ways to keep things organized, especially in a busy house of littles. By labeling, everyone can jump in and help put away things and they go directly in their place rather than just being shoved anywhere they will fit. Also, labeling helps to remind me of where things go.
Download your labels here! Don’t have a laminator? (I got mine this past year and I’ve loved having one!) You could use tape or just print on heavy cardstock.
What do you think? Would you add anything to the decluttering supply list? Be sure to comment below. And don’t forget to subscribe to get the next post in this series sent directly to your inbox.
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