Sometimes it feels like no matter how recently you've decluttered, the clutter finds its way back. Whether it’s mail on the dining room table, random everyday trinkets, or old clothing, items pop up and stay around for a while. Fortunately, you can navigate those cluttered areas in your home if you know what to do. Ahead, we asked professional organizers how to keep clutter from coming back. A little patience, time, and effort can go a long way here.
Make a declutter schedule
Charlotte Slankard, a professional organizer and owner of CHAR & CO. Professional Organizing, recommends setting aside time to go through your things regularly. "Maybe that’s after work, one weekend a month, a couple of times a year, or even working with a professional organizer," she says. "The biggest thing is making it part of your routine instead of waiting until the clutter becomes overwhelming."
If every day seems too daunting, try setting aside 15 minutes each week to evaluate your space and see what's actually being used versus what's simply taking up space.
Analyze why certain clutter builds up
There’s no reason for random everyday items to be strewn across your kitchen table, nightstand, or office desk. "If something is constantly being left out, I always recommend trying to understand why," says Julie Peak, professional home organizer based in Charlotte, NC, and founder of The Precise Place. "It may not have a home, or the home you’ve given it may not be where you actually use it. Let go of thinking you need to store an item where it is supposed to go and store it where you actually use it."
Remove donations right away
Perhaps you've already started decluttering and put used items in a garbage bag or bin for Goodwill. That's an excellent first step, but you need to see it through. "Once you decide to donate something, I recommend getting it out of your home as soon as possible, ideally that same day," says Slankard. "If donation bags sit around for weeks, it’s really easy to start going back through them and pulling things out."
Chances are, your gut was right.
Casey Clark is a freelance consultant who is interested in beauty, health, and style-related commerce content. She learned from Hofstra University with a degree in journalism. Her work has been published in Women's Health, Better Homes & Gardens, and more.
