Home detox – six practical tips for decluttering & tidying up

New year – new resolutions.

Decluttering your home can feel overwhelming, but with the right approach, it’s manageable and even fun. Follow these six practical tips to make your home tidy and stress-free.

Letting go of old things frees up space for – no, not new things but an entirely new way of life! The following suggestions are designed to help you to establish a new kind of order in your home that will also make you feel better. You know what they say: tidy home, tidy mind…

What is unnecessary and can go?

First of all, you have to spot the unnecessary things that make it more difficult to keep your home tidy. Usually, these are things like objects, clothes or books we don’t use and don’t actually need. Junk and useless things are often not just shoved into cupboards or under the bed but also soon clutter up valuable space in hallways and basements. If certain things don’t have a set place or you can’t motivate yourself to sort out what is not needed, they can quickly collect in a particular area.

Home Detox: Six practical tips for decluttering and tidying up

1. Start small – All beginnings are difficult

Procrastination is one of the biggest obstacles to decluttering. Saying “I’ll do it when I get around to it” rarely leads to results.

Tip:

• Set a fixed start date and a completion deadline.

• Treat decluttering as a priority, not a side task.

2. Begin with a short, focused effort

Large messes can feel overwhelming. Instead of spending hours or a whole weekend cleaning, focus on one small area at a time.

Example:

• Tackle a single drawer: empty it, clean it, discard unnecessary items, and put everything back neatly.

• Celebrate your first success – it motivates you for the next project.

3. Set goals and define time slots

Identify the areas that bother you the most: wardrobe, basement, loft, etc.

Practical advice:

• Focus on one project at a time.

• Allocate 3–4 hours for major decluttering (like a full room).

• Small areas can be tidied in 2 hours or less.

4. Use the 4-box strategy for sfficient decluttering

Pre-sorting items makes larger decluttering tasks easier. Use four large boxes or baskets, labeled:

• Keep

• Sell

• Donate

• Throw Out

This system quickly reduces clutter and keeps your efforts organized.

Careful pre-sorting is a good idea especially for larger rooms where a lot of things have collected over several years: you will need four large containers, like washing baskets or storage boxes.
Label each with a sticker, “keep”, “sell”, “give away/donate” and “throw out”. Dividing things like this will already considerably declutter the cupboard, shelf, drawer or even the entire room.

5. Get someone to help you

Decluttering is more enjoyable with company. Invite a family member or friend to help.

Tasks they can assist with:

• Pass down items from high shelves

• Wipe and clean surfaces

• Remove trash

• Keep the energy positive and fun

6. Final clear-up after decluttering

Once items are sorted:

Immediate actions:

• Take out trash and recyclables (paper, glass, or general waste)

• Donate items right away or store them in the car to deliver

• Sell items by a set date; otherwise donate or discard

Finishing touches:

• Make rooms cozy again

• Organize drawers and cupboards thoughtfully

• Vacuum or do a quick clean-over

Key principle: Everything must have a designated place to maintain tidiness.

Keep it tidy!

The most important principle when it comes to tidying up: everything needs a set place.

Once everything useless has been taken out of a room, tidying up is easy. Think about what you want to store where in the drawers and cupboards before you start.

Remember, you can only keep everything tidy if you regularly put everything back where it belongs.
Decluttering is liberating and makes everyday life easier; why not give it a try!

Keep it organized!