Danica Carson, creator of Hack Decks™, specializes in creating simple and effective ways to help others live their lives with less stress and more enjoyment. Focusing on pain points such as getting organized, becoming a mother, going off to college, and coming up with fresh ways to connect, Hack Decks™ provides a shortcut to a happier, easier life.
Decluttering your home can feel like an overwhelming task, leaving you wondering where to even begin. Should you start with a specific room, a category of items, or simply dive in wherever you see clutter? The truth is, there’s no single right way to begin, only the choice to take that first step. In this article, we explore effective decluttering strategies, starting points that make the process easier, and practical tips to help you stay motivated. If you’re ready to reclaim your space and create a more organized home, let’s get started.
This simple question has a simple answer: Just start
That’s right, just start decluttering. Do one small thing. Easy and simple. Do one thing that leads to another. Don’t procrastinate; just begin the process. Don’t judge yourself or the amount you accomplish. Putting one foot in front of the other will move you along and get you on the decluttering bandwagon.
Do you run a marathon the day you buy your first pair of running shoes? No. Who declutters their entire house at once? No one. Just declutter. Houses that are neat and tidy didn’t start that way. First, someone made a decluttering plan and then kept at it. Pretty soon, or sometimes not so quickly, the plan started to fall into place, items were donated, and the house became organized. But you’ve got to start somewhere.
Just start. You’ll see that as you work, you gather momentum, and soon your house is in better shape. This is a huge motivator to continue the process.
Where should I start decluttering in my home?
Some people say to start in the bathroom. Why? Because when you’re completely overwhelmed by how much you own and need a win right away, the bathroom is relatively easy. It’s typically the smallest room in the house and will empower you to continue.
One reason this is a good idea is that the bathroom typically does not contain sentimental items. That keeps you moving. The contents of the bathroom are easy to sort. You won’t struggle as much as you would with other rooms, and the decision-making process is simple.
Secondly, in the bathroom, there is most likely a lot to throw away. This type of discarding is typically guilt-free, which is also why the bathroom is a good place to start. Makeup has expiration dates, get rid of products that have expired. Medicine expires too. Keep a list of things that need to be replaced (I do this every six months) and properly dispose of expired products. Another win. And you’ll never need to take items like these to Goodwill. Most often, they can go directly into the trash. If they are medicine, look for collection stations, ours is at Walgreens.
Lastly, you can most likely declutter your bathroom in less than an hour. A transformation like this is motivating, helping you move on to the next room with confidence.
How to declutter your bathroom
As explained in previous blogs, get a towel or a similar item onto which you can dump all the contents of your drawers, along with the items from underneath your sink. When you “make the pile” or dump everything out, you see the magnitude of what you own. When you see what you own, you can determine what to discard.
I only use one color of nail polish, everything else would be clutter for me. You, on the other hand, may own twenty blushes and have held on to them for years. It's time to let go of anything that isn’t “in style,” loved, or new. Duplicates and triplicates indicate where you may be over-purchasing. Keep the best and toss the rest.
Throw away expired medicine and makeup. These can make you sick, grow bacteria over time, and become a breeding ground for germs. Since you don’t want anything expired on your face, it should be relatively easy to let go. Just think about safety, hygiene, and good health. From this point forward, write the date on makeup as soon as you buy it or open it.
Finally, ask yourself these questions to decide whether to keep or toss
Do I use this regularly? If yes, keep it.
Do I use this occasionally? Doubtful, if you don’t use it often enough.
Do I use this seasonally? If so, store it with other seasonal items.
Do I use this annually? If so, what is the expiration date?
Will I ever use this again? If the answer is no, toss or donate.
If you will need something on a seasonal basis, store it, don’t toss it. That is, unless it expires. If it does expire, write down the item’s name on a piece of paper and the date by which you will need it again. Then, purchase it when that date rolls around. This prevents you from storing things you’ll never use in the meantime. You may rotate seasonal items, and the storage space can work for both.
If you answered no to the questions above, then it’s time to give things away. I take a lot of items to Habitat for Humanity’s Resale Store. They accept half-used bottles of certain products (call first). Non-toiletries, such as blow dryers, straighteners, and cotton balls, can easily be donated to thrift stores.
Don’t hang onto these things, give them away as soon as you’re finished decluttering your bathroom. Things tend to linger if we let them. If it’s a choice between throwing something away (or donating it) and having it find its way back into your cabinets, let it go immediately. Once you’ve finished this process, commit to using things up before buying new ones.
Declutter your cleaning products
Whose bathroom area underneath the sink looks like a cleaning aisle? I’ve seen quite a few. Often, there are so many unnecessary products with toxic chemicals, not to mention ones that are unsafe if kids get into them. There are only a few products you truly need. Also, having fewer products makes cleaning more efficient. Get rid of duplicates. Find cleaning supplies that can do double duty, and make sure to store them somewhere safe, kids can find their way into anything.
Clear your countertops
When you clear your countertops, bathrooms look bigger, brighter, and roomier. Try your best to store the majority of what you have. It will make getting dressed in the morning that much easier and more enjoyable.
Declutter linens and organize what you keep
Evaluate the number of towels, washcloths (I’ve seen piles), and bathroom linens you need, and try to stick to that number. There is a happy medium between zillions of towels and none. Try to figure out what works best for your family and stay on track. The same is true for sheets and blankets. If you don’t have room for excess but truly need to keep them, find deep storage to free up space in your bathroom.
Bath toys need to be cleaned regularly
Too many bath toys make the bathtub difficult to clean. If you have small children, evaluate the toys regularly. Some bath toys fill with mold if left in the tub for too long. They get small holes in them, or they already have tiny holes designed into them. These areas can trap mold and make your child sick. Be thoughtful about how many you keep. Have a designated storage place for them so they can dry thoroughly between baths. Another idea is to periodically run the bath toys through the dishwasher to clean and sanitize them.
Evaluate and organize your bathroom area
As emphasized time and time again, don’t rush out to buy bathroom storage until you first determine what type or size of storage you need. Once you know this, go through your house to see if you already have something that will work. If not, head to your favorite container store to get storage solutions for underneath your sink, inside your linen closet, or any other place in your bathroom where organization will help.
Group your items. For example, create a first aid kit or storage area so you don’t panic in an emergency. Know where your medicines are (out of reach of kids), and check expiration dates on a schedule. A good schedule may be once in the winter and once in the summer or fall and spring. Then, replace them as necessary.
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Danica Carson, Co-Owner and Creator of Hack Decks™
Danica Carson is the Co-Owner and Creator of Hack Decks™, a line of prompt cards designed to simplify life and reduce stress. Hack Decks™ is owned by The Uncluttered Life, Inc., a boutique organizing company based in Dallas-Fort Worth specializing in optimization, efficiency, and home function. The flagship product, Declutter Deck®, was created as an exclusive tool for clients to get and stay organized in all aspects of the home.
