A house full of clutter and chaos is a breeding ground for stress. If you’re tired of the clutter, here are five de-cluttering secrets you can use to transform your home and calm your mind.

Drawer Dividers

Banish that junk drawer for good by dividing your drawers into smaller compartments. Use drawer dividers in the kitchen, the bathroom, your nightstand and any other drawers that tend to devour all those odds and ends.

Gliding Shelves

Deep cupboards and wardrobes can make it hard to retrieve things from the back. Look for models where the shelves glide out so you can easily see and store everything. No more missing pillow cases!

Tame the Toys

Kids’ toys can have minds of their own so having an organised toy storage system in place is essential. Store similar items in small-to-medium-sized stackable plastic containers and label them with what’s inside. Now the trick is teaching the kids to stick to it!

Mobile Paperwork

Create a rolling office by storing your paperwork, mail and stationery on a caddy. You can store it out of the way when not in use and the limited space means you are forced to keep it neat and prevent clutter.

Store it Elsewhere

If your belongings have outgrown your home but moving isn’t an option, rent storage space! Look for a local commercial storage facility that can provide home storage hire for the belongings you don’t use often that you don’t have room for. This could be seasonal sports gear, out-of-season clothes or collectables. 

Whether you’re trying to sell your home or just want to have a good tidy up, some clutter-busting tips can help you create more space with ease. You don’t need to devote days of your time to tidying up your home – there are plenty of quick and easy ways to keep everything spick and span. If you have belongings you want to keep but don’t have room for, rent a home storage space for the best of both worlds.

Recognising When Clutter Has Become a Problem

 As the well-known adage states: “ignorance is bliss”. However, there comes a time when hoarding tendencies need to be dealt with.There are many different reasons for hoarding, such as emotional attachment to certain items.

If your abode has started to look more like a storage facility  than a home, it’s time to address the issue. Around 150,000 Australians are compulsive hoarders so the condition is fairly common with plenty of support and advice available. 

Patience is key

First and foremost, be patient. Tackle one project at a time and plan strategically to make the best use of your time. Quick wins include wardrobes, drawers, kitchen cupboards and any shelves around the home. If you have large collections of items like CDs or DVDs, you can usually tidy these up quite quickly.

Be ruthless

Another easy way to clear your home of clutter is by simply being ruthless when spring cleaning. If you aren’t sure about whether you should keep a specific item then sell, donate or recycle it and create more space for the belongings you use the most. 

Tidy as you go

Once you’ve tidied up your home, a little effort can help you keep everything neat and orderly. Tidying out storage cupboards makes space for any large items that frequently get left around the home, such as vacuums and ironing boards. It also helps to get in the habit of tidying items away immediately after use. Encourage other family member to do the same and stop clutter from creeping into everyday life.

Separate into Piles

When you embark on decluttering, start by separating your belongings into three separate piles: one for recycling or donation to charity, items to be stored out with the home and items that will be kept in the home. By getting rid of any unnecessary items you free up room immediately, leaving more space to sort out what you’re left with.

Clever storage systems

Creating clever storage around the home is an easy way to keep clutter at bay. Often overlooked areas include beneath seating and windows as well as overhead storage. Handy shelves, rails and hooks can help to keep things in order.

Spring cleaning your home doesn’t have to be a chore. Preparation will help you when it’s time to clean, so declutter beforehand and store any unused items that you want to keep in a home storage facility.

Once your home has been tidied up and is ready to clean, there are some easy ways to get things spick and span without using harsh chemicals. For a chemical free spring cleaning kit you will need:

·         white vinegar

·         bicarbonate of soda

·         unprocessed wheat bran

·         methylated spirits

·         lavender oil

·         oil of cloves

·         lemon oil

·         pair of pantyhose.

If there are hard to reach areas in your home that need cleaning, mix a teaspoon of lavender oil with one litre of water and spray over the specified spot. Use the panty hose to wipe clean.

If you’re tackling a specific room in the home, approach one area at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed. For example, when cleaning kitchen cupboards, take one shelf at a time and methodically work your way around until complete. 

A common mistake when cleaning windows around the home is using newspaper to wipe off cleaning solution. Vinegar, a paper towel and pantyhose can be used to remove any residue much more effectively.