5 Decluttering Tips That Will Save Your Life!
Decluttering can feel overwhelming, especially when your home is in need of a thorough clean. But no matter how challenging it might appear at first, the results are always worth the effort. Few things are as satisfying as enjoying a tidy, clutter-free space that feels fresh and open. To make the process easier, we’ve put together five practical, life-saving tips to help your decluttering projects feel effortless!
Our final tip will show you how we can help you responsibly deal with all the items you decide no longer belong in your home. Keep reading to learn more!
Book a Free Collection!Tip 1 – Start Small, Stay Consistent
Decluttering your whole home can feel overwhelming, so it’s important to break the process into manageable steps. Start with something as simple as a single drawer, a shelf, or a small corner of a room. The idea isn’t to overhaul your entire space in one day—it’s to build momentum and create a routine you can stick with.
If your schedule is tight, dedicate just 15 minutes a day to tidying and sorting through items. You might be surprised at how much progress you make over the course of a week or month. Remember, decluttering isn’t a one‑time event; it’s a habit. By staying consistent rather than trying to do everything at once, you’ll avoid burnout and gradually transform your living space into a calmer, more organised environment.
Tip 2 – Make Use of “Dead Time” Decluttering
We all have pockets of time in our day that often go unused—waiting for the kettle to boil, catching up on your favourite series, or keeping an eye on the kids during bath time. Why not turn these moments into productive decluttering sessions?
For example, you could fold laundry or pair socks while watching TV, sort through the contents of a single drawer while dinner is cooking, or quickly tidy a shelf while chatting on the phone. These small tasks might seem insignificant on their own, but over time they add up to noticeable progress.
By making decluttering part of your daily rhythm, it becomes far less of a chore and more of a natural habit. Plus, you’ll be amazed at how many areas of your home you can refresh simply by using moments that might otherwise be wasted.
Tip 3 – Keep Only One Sentimental Item
Letting go of sentimental items can be one of the hardest parts of decluttering. We attach memories, milestones, and emotions to objects, making it feel almost impossible to part with them. But holding onto too many keepsakes can quickly lead to clutter that overshadows the joy those memories bring.
A practical approach is to limit yourself to keeping just one truly meaningful item from each category. For example, instead of saving every childhood toy, choose a single special teddy bear or a favourite baby blanket. Rather than storing stacks of birthday cards, pick the one that holds the most heartfelt message.
This way, you preserve the memory without overwhelming your space. It also makes the items you do keep feel even more special—they’re not lost among dozens of others, but instead displayed or stored thoughtfully as a cherished reminder of the past.
Tip 4 – Decluttering by Category, Not Just Room
Many people start decluttering one room at a time, but it can actually be more effective—and far less overwhelming—to tackle your belongings by category instead. For example, gather all the books from every part of your home and go through them together, then move on to clothes, kitchen gadgets, or sentimental items.
Why does this work? Seeing everything you own in a single category helps you truly understand how much you have and makes it easier to spot duplicates or items you no longer use. You might realise you have several copies of the same book scattered in different rooms, or multiple sets of similar kitchen utensils.
By decluttering this way, you’re not just tidying up individual spaces—you’re making mindful decisions about what really adds value to your life. It’s a more focused approach that can help prevent the same types of clutter from popping up again in the future.
Tip 5: Have Your Clutter Collected for Free!
After all your hard work sorting and decluttering, you might wonder what to do with the items you no longer need. Instead of letting them pile up in your hallway or garage, why not pass them on to someone who can use them—and do it effortlessly?
Anglo Doorstep Collections offers a free, convenient collection service for your unwanted clothes and household items. You can easily book a collection on a date that suits you, and the best part is you don’t even need to be at home when they come. Just leave your clearly labelled bags or boxes in a safe place, and they’ll take care of the rest.
Your donated items are rehomed, giving them a second life and helping reduce waste, all while freeing up valuable space in your home. It’s an easy, feel‑good way to complete your decluttering journey and make a positive difference at the same time.
Got into the decluttering fever? Read our steps to decluttering your home here.