If clutter seems to pile up in your home, the following tips can help you determine which items should be saved, stored, donated, recycled, or pitched into a junk removal container and carted away.

How to Declutter & Organize Your House

1. Let Go of Items You Don’t Use

Consider the Pareto principle, which applies to everything from economics to relationships and inventory organization. According to this theory, most people use about 20% of their possessions 80% of the time. This means that for all the clothes in your closet, for example, you probably only wear 20% of them daily; the rest of your outfits usually sit unused. Look at every category of your belongings and ask yourself if an item is in the top-priority category or if it’s something you could get rid of without affecting your daily life.

2. Create a Junk Removal Schedule

Set specific target dates for cleaning out every room and be as methodical as possible. For example, if your goal is to organize a shelving unit, take everything out and put these objects into a pile. Seeing how many belongings you’ve amassed can help make it easier to prioritize.

To keep your house clean, pay attention to which items you use or don’t use, and then review your stock during every season or at least once a year. If you want to pare down your shoe collection, for example, position your shoes facing backward after you’ve worn them once. At the end of a year, you’ll see which shoes you didn’t wear and can then decide how to get rid of them.

3. Don’t Feel Guilty

It’s only natural to accumulate new belongings over the years, but that doesn’t mean you need to save everything. Some people are reluctant to throw items away because they feel obligated to justify their purchases. Don’t fall into the trap of the sunk-cost fallacy. Assess the value of your belongings by their effect now and in the future—not what you expected to gain when you first acquired them. Let go of items you bought and gifts you’ve received if they don’t serve you anymore.

Donating and regifting these objects can restore their purpose and alleviate feelings of regret. Someone else can use these items or, if you need to throw them out completely, they'll no longer collect dust in your house.

Chuck-It Containers serves Cleveland, Akron and surrounding areas and will help you get rid of everything that doesn’t add value to your life. Household purges help to relieve stress and can make you feel empowered and in control of your space. Whether you’re spring-cleaning or preparing for a move, use their wheeled dumpsters for quick and affordable junk removal. To learn more about their trailer rentals, visit their website, or call (216) 441-3333 to get started on junk removal today.