7 ways to keep your house free of junk

Someone somewhere has decided it’s time to be junk free, but doesn’t know where to start. The easiest way is to do the traditional ‘keep/throw/donate’ method but some might find that method is just not enough. This is when the ‘home inventory’ method is ideal. Go to a quite location outside your home and make your list.

Make lists of separate rooms, so it’s easier to plan your time, consider working in 30 minute bursts. By doing this you avoid frustration and high-running emotions that come with deciding to keep, donate, or throw away the things that you own.

Once you have had your clear out, it’s important to stay on top of it. Some steps are small while others big. Here are 7 simple ways to keep your house junk free:

1. Believe in your home – some of your home has been junked for so long that you have given up all hope of ever living any other way. First step for you is to take heart and believe it is entirely possible to live junk free.
2. Remove the excess – remove the excessive possessions that are stealing our lives, time, and energy. Things to consider when deciding if it is junk; too much stuff in too small a space, anything that we no longer used or loved, and anything that led to a feeling of disorganization.
3. Habits to manage your junk – get in a habit of junk-clearing, do not skip the removal step, it is absolutely important. The more energy you put in removing the excess, the easier it will be to find and develop habits to better manage the things you keep.
4. Slow the accumulation of possessions – To slow the accumulation of things in your home, you need to change your mind set and begin evaluating your purchases differently. Realise that your purchases cost far more than the price on the sticker. Each one will also require time, energy, and effort once they enter your home.
5. Do things properly – When we scrimp on the details, fail to put away the toaster, forget to pack up the craft supplies, leave folded laundry on the bed, we are creating opportunity for more junk build up. But it really is a key way to keep junk at bay. A clear surface motivates you to keep it that way, whereas a junked surface invites more junk.
6. Understand the limitations of your current situation – While not technically a junk free tip, it is one worth hearing. Unless you want to live in a constant state of stress and anxiety, it’s important to accept the fact that some things cannot be changed. If you have young children, there will be toys, papers, bags and homework. These limitations are part of life. Rather than battling them every day, do what you can to minimise the problem, keep it from getting out of hand and then let it go.
7. Perform regular de-junking – Whenever you feel the junks taking over, it’s time to tackle the issue before it takes hold. Take an empty laundry basket and work through your home room-by-room, picking up everything that is out of place. Work as fast as you can, and fill the basket multiple times if needed. Empty the contents onto your floor and sort through it. Toss the rubbish, bag up any donations and put the remainder back in its place.

Is your house full of junk? Find out more about house clearance in London.