Clean Sweep?

Have you decided to downsize all the “stuff” you’ve accumulated in your home? You’re not alone. Get started with these simple tips for tackling clutter in prominent spaces.

Closet – 

• Consider installing a second rod underneath the primary clothing rod to hang skirts, scarves and bags; you can double your storage and eliminate the need for shelving. 
• Keep only in-season items in your closet; box the rest and store underneath the bed or in a storage closet.
• To keep your closets from getting cluttered in the first place, implement a new rule: For each new item that comes in, two items must be thrown out or donated.

•  Keep objects close to where they are used. For example, keep the dishes near the dishwasher, and the spices at arm’s length of the stove. If the objects in question are easier to put away after use, the kitchen is more likely to stay clean and organized. 
• Clear counters of unused small appliances and cookbooks and store them in cabinets or shelves instead. 
• Use the inside of cabinet and pantry doors to organize knickknacks, such as chip clips or bottle openers, and pot holders that can hang.

• Establish a filing system that you can easily- and immediately-use to keep bills and loose papers from getting out of hand. 
• Keep labeled manila folders at the ready; assign folders for tax records, utility bills and medical expenses, for example. 
• Consider investing in a scanner to digitize important documents and save them on a hard drive for easy (and paper free) access. 
• Create a “shelf life” rule for magazines; for example, purge weeklies after a month and monthlies every few months.