10 Effortless Things That Clutter Free People Do Every Day

If you are sick of clutter in your home, here are the ten habits clutter free people use every day to keep their homes calm and tidy.

[hannibalthest]

1. Make the Bed
2. Finish one minute tasks immediately.
3. Don't leave dishes in the sink.
4. Tidy up living room at NIGHT.
5. Put dirty clothes away.
6. Clean off counter tops after every use.
7. Put things back where they belong.
8. Limit decorative items.
9. Make regular Donations.
10. Embrace MINDFUL SHOPPING.

[lizzieb]

One thing I do for my “once worn and clean” jeans and tees is this: I installed four pretty decorative hooks along one wall just inside my small (very small) walk in closet. I undress in the closet and immediately hang those clothes on the hooks - never more than four (one item for each hook) . It’s great! No jeans or tees draped over the back of my vanity chair. And, no matter how tired I am I never go to bed with a dirty counter or dishes in the sink. Peaceful mornings are wonderful!

[maypalmer]

What a wonderful blessing to get your phone call, Joshua! It was so very gracious of you to call me in recognition of my letter to The Hope Effect concerning your efforts to encourage donating!! I have been so blessed since I became Minimalist! My home has such Peace and calm now! I have more money and less stress. Thank you, Joshua for changing lives for the better! The Lord's Peace be with you through Christ our Lord now and evermore! Amen!

[goddessmel]

Re 'worn once' clothing, I find I don't need a separate space for these if I deal with them this way - once I take the item off (say, removing my work suit / skirt / trousers when I get home and changing into workout our leisure item) I check the item to see if it needs spot cleaning or if it could use airing. If it needs spot cleaning I do that straight away, then either way I hang the item on a hanger either on my clothesline outside, on the railing in my laundry or on a hook over my wardrobe door (depending on the weather and how much airflow it needs to dry and/or air out). I let it hang like that for a few hours while I get on with my 5-9, then when it's dry and fresh I put it away as part of my evening tidy up routine so it's ready to wear again; or I set it out with other items as part of my outfit for the next day.

I can usually get several wears out of my work basics (suit pants / skirt / dress) and items such as jeans handling them like this then laundering once a week or even fortnightly depending on what I've been doing and the weather (tend to wash more often in the summer for example). Treating your clothes this way also makes them last longer which means you replace them less often which helps with tip #10.

[isabellahodge]

You shouldn't make your bed the instant you get out of it because it will still be warm and moist from your body and sweat. You don't want to trap that all in the bed because dust mites and mould spores LOVE it. Rather, pull the top bedding back and let the bed air out for 30-60 minutes while you have your shower, dress, eat breakfast etc and then make the bed. If this doesn't suit timewise because you're out all day who will notice anyway? Make it when you get home. I personally don't like coming home to an unmade bed though, I agree, so I make it just before I put my coat on to go out.

[nancywhitmore]

I grew up in a messy, dirty, cluttered home. You can't teach what you don't know, so I didn't learn how to be neat and clean from my parents! It has been a LONG journey of reading books, watching videos like this one, and putting the ideas into practice, but I can say today that I am doing 9 of the 10 things listed here! Watching this video made me SO happy! I have been working to be less messy for 47 years! I can't limit decorative items because my husband LOVES for every surface to be completely covered with them! What to do when you're married to a person who loves to have lots of clutter everywhere?? Thank you, Mr. Becker, for ALL of your videos! They have helped me so much! You are very inspiring!

[JudyLocke-ebyr]

I do all 10 things for years and I love how It makes my life so easy..

[goddessmel]

With 2 working adults in my household and no dishwasher, we don't have the time/need to do the dishes after every meal but we do have a rule that the dishes are done after dinner and before going to bed. This routine also includes shaking out the tablecloth or table mats and resetting the dining table, wiping down countertops and stove and putting away anything that doesn't need to stay out, and sweeping the kitchen floor. The dishes air dry overnight, then get put away in the morning while my coffee brews. That way I have a clean and reset kitchen ready to eat breakfast and prepare my meals for the day.

I also do a pick up Mary Poppins style as I head to bed - put the couch cushions back (and throw blanket if used during colder weather), take any cups or glasses to the kitchen to run through the wash-up and put on the drainer, rubbish into the bin, lights etc turned off, face and teeth cleaned, sink wiped down and off to bed. I know everything is tidy and ready to go again when I get up.

Putting things back where they belong and limiting decorative items saves SO MUCH cleaning time too. I used to loathe helping my Nan clean all her knick knacks - the time to pick up, dust under the item, dust the item then reset everything was ridiculous! One of the reasons I took very little when these items were offered to me when she was moving from her house into a care unit - I kept a Bunnykins mug that was mine as a child that she'd held on to and a cup and saucer set that my Pa used to enjoy a coffee. I use both these items as a special treat to remind me of them, and they get washed and put in the cupboard each time so are not clutter.

[janetfuller]

Decluttering is really wonderful. About every two months I go through my bedroom. Last week I went through my clothes, again, within 1/2 an hr I had another large bag of clothes to give away. Jackets, winter stuff I was not going to use. Amazing how I feel when I see my bedroom with less. Plus, someone is going to love what they get at the thrift shop where I donated. Most of it was free to me from other people. Clutter makes me unhappy.

[pippas]

Love them allapart from #1 - beds need airing! Pull the bedclothes right back so that the mattress can air for at least 30 minutes before making.

[valerierogers]

When shopping became a national pastime clutter grew exponentially. Stay out of stores. That online "Deal Of The Day!" - you don't need it.

[KLC]

Making my bed in the morning has added a great sense of enjoyment in the morning. I've also been wiping down counter tops and tables more frequently. I already have a rotating twice per week vacuuming schedule. Great video. Thank you.

[CherylMurphy-ii]

I became a minimalist over 4 years ago. Your you tube videos inspired me to start and continue with this wonderful concept of keeping life simple and minimal. I love the easy, practical step by steps you include in your encouraging videos. It was not easy to start getting rid of the extra junk and the what if I need it items. I did feel weighed down by the extra non essentials. Four years later, I feel less weighed down by the junk. I feel freer and happier. Thank you.

[katherineanderson]

I wish I could give this video 10 thumbs up! I am pleased to say that I follow all of these habits and love my clutter-free home and life.

[andrewellis]

Yes Joshua - we do all of your suggestions - all the time. They feel like necessities or no-brainers. Either way they must be done. Thank you Joshua.

[lizeastman]

Thank you as always for your insights. Small thought, to make it easier I have a hook in the closet for the 'not yet dirty' items.

[TGYtco]

Love this list. I am still working on some of them... Decluttering isn't the end all, be all, but it is definitely easier to do all 10 things if you declutter first!

[gaelleolechan]

Thank you Joshua ! I totally agree (and do) almost everything. The only point i don't is making the bed. I mean, i make it, but only about 1 hour after waking up (just before leaving home for work) or at the end of the morning, during my day off. I open the windows (even a few minutes) to refresh it and leave it a little while full "opened" (sheets and blanket apart). it avoids proliferation of acarians...

[mhtammi]

I do all the things you list. Unfortunately as I was just getting a handle on our belongings sadly both my husband’s mother and my mother passed away within months of each other and we had to try and deal with their belongings as we are executors and can’t just get rid of stuff when there are others involved. We are also waiting for our new home to be built so we are in temporary smaller accommodations. Of course there are delays with construction and we still don’t have a definitive move in date. To top it all off, out youngest moved in while he finishes his training and while he has already been actively looking for a job, it may take awhile. Believe me he is as eager to move out as we are to get into our new house. It’s a bit overwhelming.

[LovePiha]

I have been dedicated to simple, mindful, minimal living for the past two years, and I can say I now do all of these, and my life is unbelievably better as a result. From chaos to simplicity, the best decision I've made in my life! <3