At first glance, decluttering seems like a fairly simple task, but if you aren't prepared and haven't planned things out well, it can quickly become very overwhelming and messy. That is the absolute last thing you need because organising a space, room, or home is already a huge task! The solution is to "be prepared," as the scouts and guides eloquently advise.
Having a kit has been so helpful for me whenever I have decluttered whether it was for myself or clients. I hope it does the same for you. Having the right decluttering supplies on hand can save you so much time, energy, and sanity.
Here is the list I would suggest, along with a brief
explanation of each item so you can decide whether you need it or not.
1 - Supply list for decluttering.
Because having the proper tools is a necessity, not an
extravagance, for any job. Imagine if you wanted to tile a wall and all you brought were tiles and grout. You would not be able to adhere the tiles to the wall. You would need to stop the job and visit the DIY store and that would cost you time and energy, and the possibility of not starting the job when you return is quite high. I have created a FREE printable Supply List so that you can pop it into your Home Management Binder if you have one. If not, why not have a look at creating one - its very simple to do.
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| Download your Free Copy |
2 - Your Plan of Action
Whatever level of plan you prefer, be it ultra-detailed or ultra-simple, having a
plan is essential. If you have not already downloaded your FREE Decluttering
Workbook, may I suggest you do that now?
Without keeping track of your actions and goals, the process
will be much more challenging than it needs to be, plus you won’t be able to
keep track of your progress and feel those little bouts of joy that will keep
you inspired and motivated to get the job done.
Even if you don’t want to download the FREE Decluttering
Workbook, take some paper and pen, and write down your strategy, make sure
you print off the decluttering checklist below, to ensure you have everything
to hand before you start.
3 - Notepad/paper and pen
Having the ability to take notes while you work is very
useful for many different reasons, regardless of the job you are doing.
You can write down any additional tasks you come up with
while working so that you won't be immediately sidetracked.
When you’re decluttering, you might notice that a wardrobe door
is loose and needs a new hinge you can make a note that you need to go shopping
for it.
Make a list of things to check after decluttering. For
instance, you may have something you need to get rid of and are unsure whether
to sell it or donate it. You want to know how much it is worth.
4 - Post It Notes
These are fantastic because you can quickly add a label or
note to a spot in the space you are decluttering without using paper notes
attached with sticky tape (which can damage surfaces since it's really too
sticky for this!).
After I've finished decluttering, I often use it to label
cupboards with the items I want to store there so I can quickly move things to
their proper places and see what belongs where.
5 - Sticky Labels
These are fantastic for areas where you DO need a more permanent style label, such as labelling boxes with contents and bags with intended destinations (i. e charity, recycling, etc.).
6 - Marker Pen
For writing on all those labels and post-it notes, a thick
pen is ideal. In an ideal world, it ought to be visible from across the room.
7 - Durable black bin bags
Black trash bags that can be stored in a small area (unlike
boxes and other containers) but still provide a lot of storage are ideal for
decluttering. They can hold a respectable amount of weight without tearing.
You'll require something else for heavier items. You don’t want your donations to spill out all
over the car park – Trust me it’s not fun.
8 - Strong, large containers.
Cardboard boxes are ideal if you're donating items to a
charity and want to leave the containers with your donation.
Plastic boxes are the most durable, but you are probably not
going to want to leave these with the donations – as you can use them next time
you declutter.
If you're storing items in your own home but in different
rooms, baskets might also be a good option.
Basically, any container will work, but you need to choose
the right container for the amount of stuff you're decluttering as well as the
type of stuff (books are heavy and will need sturdy containers, but not too
large as they will become too heavy to lift very quickly, for example, whereas
smaller items can be put into small baskets or bags).
9 - Trestle Table
This is optional. I
am only putting this in because a number of organisers recommend you use a
table to do all that organising when you are decluttering because you should
ideally always have a workspace.
Personally, I prefer to work on the floor.
Two reasons explain why having a fold-out trestle table is
so effective.
· If your floor is cluttered, you can instantly add more surface area by placing a table in the middle (it only needs room for the four legs).
10 - Sheet/Blanket
When decluttering, it can be a good idea to have a sheet or
blanket on hand to cover the floor as protection.
· If you have carpet, it might be possible to avoid dust/dirt build-up or stains.
· It might stop your hard floors from getting scratched.
TIP - To prevent the bedding from getting dirty while you
are cleaning out your bedroom, you could put the sheet on the bed.
11 - Torch
REALLY helpful when attempting to see behind furniture or in
the backs of cabinets. Even more helpful in a garage, dark loft, or basement.
12 - Stepladder/Stepstool
It's useful for reaching high shelves, the tops of
wardrobes, the backs of cabinets, or even climbing into the loft!
13 - Sharp knife or scissors
Incredibly helpful for opening boxes, etc.
14 - Cleaning and hard-working gloves
When you clear out the clutter, you often find yourself in
the dirtier areas of your house, or just wanting to give the space you have
decluttered a good clean.
As a result, having a pair of cleaning gloves allows you to
keep the dirt off your hands. However, I also suggest having a pair of tough
gloves, such as gardening or heavy-duty ones.
The reason why I suggest heavy-duty gloves is that there
might be a lot of broken glass or sharp objects in a garage or shed, for
instance, and you don't want to accidentally cut yourself as you reach for
something.
15 - Vacuum
The quickest and cleanest method for removing excess dust
from objects.
16 - Dusters and Cleaning Wipes
The ideal time to give surfaces a quick wipe down in
preparation for the stuff to go back on or in them is after all the dust has
been removed.
17 - Comfortable Clothes
When you are decluttering it's also important to wear comfy
clothes - you will find that decluttering requires a lot of physical movement. There is nothing worse than doing a job and
having to keep pulling your jeans up every 5 minutes. Having a set of clothes that you don’t mind
getting dusty and dirty is perfect.
However - If you only
have a few minutes to organise your belongings and don't want to change
completely, wearing an apron or something similar is a good idea.
Wearing shoes will help you avoid stepping on anything sharp
and injuring yourself (which is simple to do when you're sorting through
everything and it's all been spread out on the floor). Also wearing shoes will
also protect your feet in case you drop something on them, even hard-soled
slippers are fine for most interior house cleaning tasks.
Have you prepared all these decluttering tools? If not, it would be worthwhile to bring them
together right away.
Imagine how much more quickly you could finish your
decluttering now that you're organised and ready to go whenever the urge to do
so strikes.