3 Steps to Get Your Family to Declutter

Have you caught the decluttering bug, but your family is still clinging tightly to their excess stuff? Let me show you how to lead your family, understand their mindset, and make it easy for them to join you in streamlining the house.

1. SHOW THE WAY
If you’re frustrated by clutter in your home — stuff on the counters, clothes on the floor, cosmetics all over the bathroom — the first thing to do is tackle your OWN clutter.

Don’t point the finger at your family members because nagging never got anyone to make lasting changes. Stop playing the clutter blame game and focus on your own stuff. Once they see how decluttering is making your life easier, they’ll start to follow your lead. They might even ask you for help!

2. GET INTO THEIR HEADS
To help people release clutter, you need to know why they’re holding onto the excess. Do they not know where things go? Are the systems difficult so it’s hard to put stuff away? Do they have more stuff than they can manage? Do they fear they might need the thing later? Are they overly sentimental?

Read my companion blogs, Why It’s Hard to Let Go of Stuff: The 3 Sticking Points and The Keys to Unlock Your Clutter: Actions You Can Take, to unpack the minds of your clutterbugs. Figure out what’s making them hold onto the stuff, then brainstorm solutions that will work for them.

My youngest daughter just needed a place for the stuff to go, so I started a hand-me-down chain with another family whose daughter Luisa was a couple of years younger. My daughter got into the habit of bringing me things, saying, “I’m done with this now so it’s time for Luisa to have it.”

3. MAKE IT EASY
If you make it challenging to put things away, they’ll probably be left out. If your family doesn’t know how to get rid of things, they’ll keep them.

Create simple organizing systems.

• When possible, store things in un-lidded bins because lids add a layer of complexity that makes it more difficult to put things away.
• Use clear bins, bins with windows, and labels so everyone knows at a glance where things go.
• For papers, use files with broad categories (e.g. Cars, Medical, Utilities), so there’s no hunting for an overly-specific file folder.
• Store clothes in the simplest way possible for each person. Some might prefer folding, others prefer hanging. Do what works best for each family member.

Devise a plan for getting things out of the house.

• Put a tote bag near the door and let everyone know it's the DONATION BAG. When it’s full, put it in your car and take it to the nearest donation center.
• Start your own hand-me-down chain and/or join your local Buy Nothing group.
• Use the Donate & Recycle list on my Resources page to figure out what to do with unusual items.
• Let the family know that it’s OK to throw out things that are used up, worn out, broken, or irreparably dirty.

Now that you know how, just take these three steps in order, and watch your family catch the decluttering bug. How much can your family let go of this year?