The four-pile method
- Keep: things that belong in this room, put away at once
- Move: things that belong in another room, in a basket to redistribute later
- Donate or sell: things you no longer need
- Bin or recycle: broken or unused items
Keep it from returning
- Give everything a home
- Do a two-minute reset each evening
- Apply a one-in, one-out rule for clothes and kitchen items
Why it works
Decluttering cuts cleaning time because every object on a surface is something you have to lift, wipe under and replace. With fewer things out, dusting and wiping takes minutes instead of an hour.
Common questions
Where do I start?
Start with the surfaces you use most: kitchen worktops, the coffee table and the bedside table.
Would you rather we did it for you?
Ample Cleaners offers house cleaning across Barking, Dagenham, Romford, Ilford and surrounding areas, with DBS-checked cleaners and a fixed price.