Professional Organizers Reveal the Most Overlooked Places to Declutter

Although often overlooked, your bedside table can quickly become littered with stuff day after day. “This is a great place to focus on because it's a small space that should only take a short time to clear off,” Cawley says. “My policy is to recommend that you only have the book you are currently reading, one hand cream, one glass of water, a good reading light, a clock, tissues, and perhaps a plant on a bedside table. Clear all the other clutter, and I promise you will sleep better.”

Cawley says that one spot that’s often overlooked is the medicine cabinet, simply because there’s a door on it and you don’t see what’s inside every time you walk by.

“It's worth taking the time to take out the sticky bottles, expired medicines, half-used samples, and seldom-used products so that you can store what you really reach for on a daily basis,” she advises. “Also, we're going into flu and cold season, so it's worth making sure that all of your remedies are available easily and are up to date.”

“Decluttering your refrigerator regularly can benefit your health and your wallet,” Lee says. “My rule is, if you can’t see everything inside your refrigerator within seconds of opening the door, it’s time to declutter. Start with a full declutter and deep clean, then commit to mini-declutters every time you grocery shop to keep things under control.”

We spend time in our laundry rooms randomly during the week, but we don’t necessarily live there, which is why it can be overlooked. But when it comes to decluttering, Cawley says the space is a “quick win” since it won’t take much time to clean.

“Get rid of the dryer lint and empty detergent bottles. Create a dedicated spot for the orphaned socks, stain treatments, dryer sheets, laundry pods, and lingerie bags,” she says. “Doing this will streamline your system so the simple task of doing laundry does not become a chore you want to avoid.”

You may grab your clothes every day and not take a passing glance at how messy and disorganized your clothes closet has become. But according to Lee, “decluttering your wardrobe doesn’t have to be an onerous task that requires professional help.”

“The easiest approach is to declutter as you go,” she recommends. “Keep a donation bag or bin handy in your closet, and add items as soon as they no longer serve you.”

Each and every one of us has those foreboding piles of papers in our homes, the ones that accumulate in the kitchen or home office. It serves as a daily reminder of undone tasks, as Cawley describes it, and it doesn’t need to be.

She says, “Create an attractive, dedicated collection container for those random items. I like using a hinged, lidded bin to hide the mess. Then promise yourself to set aside 30 minutes once a week to sort through the mail, bills, receipts, instructions, and school papers.”

“Editing your personal care items regularly will keep your morning and evening routines quick and efficient,” Lee says. “Clear out the products that smell unpleasant, cause irritation, are expired or ineffective, or simply aren’t getting used. Gently-used toiletries can be donated where appropriate. The space you create will make the products you use often easier to access, and will reduce decision fatigue during hectic mornings.”

You get in your car, drive to a location, get out of your car when you come home, and go on your merry way, often not thinking about how disorganized it is in there.

“It's worth taking the time to think about decluttering your car, as it's often a second home for people who commute long distances or spend time doing kid carpooling,” Cawley notes. “Every time you stop to get gas, take two minutes to clear out all of the trash. Also, have a dedicated home for the trash that collects between refueling. Keeping the excess stuff that collects under control will make the time you do spend in your car much calmer.”