Declutter Your Home in 15-Minute Bursts
Get organised the easy way with these 10 quick and clever cleaning projects to get your home back on track
Let’s face it: clearing clutter doesn’t usually top our list of fun things to do. Sure, the joy of a clutter-free space is something we can all get behind, but finding the time (and the motivation) to make it happen is quite another matter. That’s where quickie clutter clearing comes in. Instead of waiting for that mythical perfect storm of ample time, energy and motivation to appear (spoiler alert – it’s not coming), why not take the reins and decide to make progress, one tiny project at a time? Here are 10 easy places to begin. Ready, set, start that timer.
2. Fridge door condiments
Unload the whole sticky mess onto the kitchen bench. Check expiration dates and toss out anything past its prime – as well as any condiments you bought but did not like. Wipe the bottoms of the containers with a damp sponge before returning them to the fridge. If you want to be extra-organised about it, put sweet condiments on one shelf and savoury condiments on another.
How to deep-clean your fridge
Unload the whole sticky mess onto the kitchen bench. Check expiration dates and toss out anything past its prime – as well as any condiments you bought but did not like. Wipe the bottoms of the containers with a damp sponge before returning them to the fridge. If you want to be extra-organised about it, put sweet condiments on one shelf and savoury condiments on another.
How to deep-clean your fridge
3. Utensil jar
Check out that jar of utensils near the stove – are all the pieces in it tools that get daily (or near-daily) use? Do you really need all those spatulas? Take everything out of the jar and put back only the items you reach for often. If there are tools you want to keep but don’t need to access daily, move them to a different spot. The prime real estate nearest your stove should be reserved for true essentials.
Check out that jar of utensils near the stove – are all the pieces in it tools that get daily (or near-daily) use? Do you really need all those spatulas? Take everything out of the jar and put back only the items you reach for often. If there are tools you want to keep but don’t need to access daily, move them to a different spot. The prime real estate nearest your stove should be reserved for true essentials.
4. Pen cup
First, scoop up all the pens and pencils that are not actually in the pen cup, but instead are strewn randomly around the kitchen, dining table and any other flat surface in the area. Once you’ve gathered them all in one place, grab a blank sheet of scrap paper and start testing. Toss out pens that are out of ink and put your favourites back in the pen cup.
If you have 5 million pens and pencils (joking … sort of), set them aside to donate. Many school districts and some non-profit organisations are happy to receive donations of office supplies in good condition.
First, scoop up all the pens and pencils that are not actually in the pen cup, but instead are strewn randomly around the kitchen, dining table and any other flat surface in the area. Once you’ve gathered them all in one place, grab a blank sheet of scrap paper and start testing. Toss out pens that are out of ink and put your favourites back in the pen cup.
If you have 5 million pens and pencils (joking … sort of), set them aside to donate. Many school districts and some non-profit organisations are happy to receive donations of office supplies in good condition.
5. Sock drawer
Open up that drawer and pull out all the socks and tights. Match up pairs, and inspect each set for holes and worn areas. Fold the sets that have mates and are in good condition, and return them to the drawer. Bring the mate-less socks to the laundry area and check for mates before giving up on them.
When you’re done, toss all mate-less socks, as well as any socks or tights with holes, into a bag to bring to your local clothing recycling donation bin (search ‘textile recycling drop-off’ and your city to find a bin near you).
Open up that drawer and pull out all the socks and tights. Match up pairs, and inspect each set for holes and worn areas. Fold the sets that have mates and are in good condition, and return them to the drawer. Bring the mate-less socks to the laundry area and check for mates before giving up on them.
When you’re done, toss all mate-less socks, as well as any socks or tights with holes, into a bag to bring to your local clothing recycling donation bin (search ‘textile recycling drop-off’ and your city to find a bin near you).
6. Shower products
Pull all the products out of your shower and place them on the sink. Recycle the empty bottles and move infrequently used items to a drawer or cabinet. Have some products that you tried but didn’t like? Depending on the store, you may still be able to get a refund – otherwise, just pour out the product and recycle the container. Yes, it’s a waste, but letting a product you’re never going to use take up valuable space in your shower isn’t helping anyone. When you’re done, place your favourite everyday products back in the shower.
Pull all the products out of your shower and place them on the sink. Recycle the empty bottles and move infrequently used items to a drawer or cabinet. Have some products that you tried but didn’t like? Depending on the store, you may still be able to get a refund – otherwise, just pour out the product and recycle the container. Yes, it’s a waste, but letting a product you’re never going to use take up valuable space in your shower isn’t helping anyone. When you’re done, place your favourite everyday products back in the shower.
7. Laundry supplies
Check your laundry room for empty bottles of detergent and stain remover, and put these in the recycling bin. Put random items pulled from pockets where they belong. Straighten up the remaining supplies and wipe the benchtop clean.
See more inspiring laundries
Check your laundry room for empty bottles of detergent and stain remover, and put these in the recycling bin. Put random items pulled from pockets where they belong. Straighten up the remaining supplies and wipe the benchtop clean.
See more inspiring laundries
8. Tea towels
Tea towels seem to get ratty when we’re not looking. Pull out all your tea towels and inspect them. Fold and put away the ones in good condition, and set aside the others to bring to a textile recycling bin or to cut up for use as rags. But don’t go overboard on the use-them-as-rags thing — there are only so many rag towels we really need, and then it’s just creating more clutter.
Tea towels seem to get ratty when we’re not looking. Pull out all your tea towels and inspect them. Fold and put away the ones in good condition, and set aside the others to bring to a textile recycling bin or to cut up for use as rags. But don’t go overboard on the use-them-as-rags thing — there are only so many rag towels we really need, and then it’s just creating more clutter.
9, Magazines and catalogues
Gather up all your magazines and catalogues in a pile. Go through the stack, one by one, setting aside current issues that you still want to read, and recycle the rest. If there is an article you want to save, cut it out – or (if you really want to reduce paper clutter) check if the same content is available online and bookmark it instead of saving a paper copy.
Magazine storage solutions that shine
Gather up all your magazines and catalogues in a pile. Go through the stack, one by one, setting aside current issues that you still want to read, and recycle the rest. If there is an article you want to save, cut it out – or (if you really want to reduce paper clutter) check if the same content is available online and bookmark it instead of saving a paper copy.
Magazine storage solutions that shine
10. Entryway drop spot
Put pocket change in a cup, recycle junk mail, hang up coats and put away any items that have migrated here from other areas of the house. If there are library books or other items waiting to be returned, take a moment to carry them out to the car so that they’re ready and waiting (and not cluttering up your entryway).
Tell us
What would you declutter in 15 minutes or less? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
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Read more stories about organising
Put pocket change in a cup, recycle junk mail, hang up coats and put away any items that have migrated here from other areas of the house. If there are library books or other items waiting to be returned, take a moment to carry them out to the car so that they’re ready and waiting (and not cluttering up your entryway).
Tell us
What would you declutter in 15 minutes or less? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
More
Read more stories about organising
Open up that messy Tupperware drawer and pull everything out. Match up the containers with their lids (check the dishwasher too) and toss or recycle mate-less pieces. Stack everything up neatly and return it to the drawer or cabinet. Use the dimensions of this space as a physical limit and give away containers that won’t fit comfortably in the space available.