Cleaning your kitchen and ditching duplicate utensils is one way to declutter one of the most used rooms in the home.
It may be too early for a spring clean, but that doesn’t mean you have to wait until September to get on top of your clutter.
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STORY & PHOTOGRAPHY: FIONA LLOYD
We all have THAT drawer in the kitchen, shelf in the linen cupboard and sometimes even a whole (spare) room.
Often they’re filled with could-be-useful-but-I-don’t-know-what-for items; bits and bobs handed down and passed around from dear departed relatives; or, more often than not, objects that are just too hard to find a forever home for.
Well, enter the team from The Art of Decluttering.
Amy Revell and Kirsty Farrugia, the duo behind The Art of Decluttering, describe themselves as "experienced professional organisers and declutter coaches“.
And fortunately for us mere mortals, the dynamic pair has The Art of Decluttering podcast.
In a recent episode — Top 3 Things — Amy and Kirsty detail three activities for seven different spaces to help declutter your home.
Here’s an abridged version of their advice.
The shows and songs from pretty much every DVD and CD you own is now available via streaming services, so let them go — and free up some space in your lounge room.
In the lounge room
Books. Ditch any double ups. And of course in this day and age, consider downloading a digital version rather than buying the real thing
DVDs. Be honest — it is highly unlikely you will watch any of them again, and if you are hooked on a particular series or movie, it’s highly likely it is now available on one of the many streaming services.
CDs. As above but swap ‘watch’ for ‘listen’.
In the study
Broken printers/old appliances/old mobile phones. You will not — ever — need a part from any of them again. Let them go.
Old paperwork. Get it under control by using any of a million available online software options — sign up for one of Amy and Kirsty’s courses to find out how.
Old stationary. Admit it, you will never use that odd coloured pen/paper/stapler/etc. Ditch or donate.
In the kitchen
Utensil drawer triplicates. Rule of thumb, says the pair, is it’s okay to have one wooden spoon for each hob on your cooktop but no need for two graters, four ice-cream scoopers or multiple mashers. Group like with like, keep your favourite and — you guessed it — let go of the rest.
Broken saucepans/pots. Let. Them. Go.
Orphan plastic containers: Pull it all out, match bottoms and tops and get rid of the rest.
Clothes take up a lot of space and create a lot of clutter so if it doesn’t fit, move it on.
In the bedroom
Clothes. Listen to one of Kirsty’s and Amy’s ‘deep dive’ podcasts on how to sort your wardrobe out.
Furniture. Often, after a good clothing and accessories declutter, you can also get rid of side tables, tall boys, etc, which is what it’s all about.
Paperwork. It doesn’t belong in the bedroom, so move it to the study and then follow the steps above.
Kids’ bedrooms
Rubbish. Get them to listen to the podcast, and ‘empower’ them to get rid of any rubbish (including dishes and drink containers).
Clothes. They grow very quickly, so if it doesn’t fit and is in good condition pass it on.
Toys. Interests change so get your kids to help decide what’s going and where it goes.
In the laundry
Cleaning products. If it’s expired, ditch it; if it’s recyclable, do so.
Pegs. Pay your kids 5¢ to pick them up, toss the broken ones and put the working ones in the peg basket (seriously, that’s what they recommend).
Pet supplies. Consider storing food elsewhere. Ditch unused/unloved toys, food, collars and bedding.
In the bathroom
Products with a past use-by date. If you are using them, fine, but if it’s unsafe or ineffective — let it go.
Products bought but never used and never going to be used. If they’re unused and unopened consider donating to homeless or women’s/family shelters.
Duplicate or broken appliances. Pass on if they’re in good working condition, otherwise, get rid of them. Men’s shavers get their own mention — blokes treat them pretty shabbily we’re told so when done, they’re really done!
More tips at: https://www.theartofdecluttering.com.au/
The Art of Decluttering podcasts are available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
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