9 Quick and Easy Tips to Stop Clutter

In this hectic and crazy world we live in, it can be hard to keep our lives and homes organized. I think we all need a few tips to organize our homes. Trying to juggle work schedules, the kids' activities, and find some time to relax can sometimes get overwhelming. Is it any wonder we find ourselves in the middle of clutter?

9 Quick and Easy Tips To Stop Clutter:

Begin the de-cluttering process in the rooms that are most used such as the kitchen, living or family room and the bathrooms.

Keep items that are used often someplace where you don't have to climb or bend down to get to them. Store them near the place they will actually be used.

Have a designated place to keep library books. By always putting them in the same place, you will end the 'search and destroy' method of finding them when it's time to return them.

Have a specific place you always put your purse and keys. Hooks are great for keys and you will always know right where they are.

Get rid of all 'junk drawers'. If you really feel you have to have one, limit it to one and clean it out regularly.

Assign everything a specific place where it is kept. This way everyone knows where to find what they are looking for.

Make a chart of the cleaning tasks that need done daily. Assign a family member to each task. Even preschoolers and toddlers can help with simple things like helping you fold or put away the laundry, helping you unload the dishwasher, picking up their toys, etc. Yes, it takes longer to get it done this way, but you are teaching them that they are capable of helping the family. A little praise for a job well done will make them feel a great sense of self-worth and accomplishment. This is priceless.

Does your house have an upstairs? When I have stairs in the house, I keep a container on the bottom step for items that belong upstairs. The next time someone goes upstairs they take the container and put away the things in it. When they come back down, they replace the basket on the bottom step for more 'valuables' to be placed in it.

Be ruthless in getting rid of things you don't need any longer or haven't used in a year. This would include things like:

Magazines you meant to read, but never found time for

Sunscreen and medications that are out of date

Clothes that don't fit or that you never wear

Expired coupons

Old makeup

Extra paper or plastic grocery bags you won't use

Cookbooks you never or rarely use. Save the recipes you want and then get rid of it.

Keep in mind that if you have children in the house, you are going to have clutter of some sort. This is ok as long as it doesn't get out of hand. Work your way through the house one room at a time getting rid of the clutter and junk before tackling the harder items like drawers and closets. You will be amazed at the amount of time and energy you can save just by making a few simple changes in your daily routine.