What Is Clutter and Where Do I Keep It?

I define clutter as anything that doesn't have a designated place to be put away when not in use. For instance, if you purchase a new tablecloth and you don't know where it's going to "live" when not on the table: that's clutter.

Only keep things in your home that you know you love and will use. If it is not something that you need then it qualifies as clutter. Perhaps you were given something as a gift but you don't really like it...so...you don't use it. That is clutter. Don't feel guilty about giving it away to charity or to someone else who will use it!

Any item relating to an incomplete project is definitely clutter. Maybe you started an afghan years ago and have it (and its yarn, needles, etc.) stuffed in a drawer. You know you'll never finish it but there it sits. That is clutter. Give it away or put it in a "garage sale box" for a future garage sale.

If you have children and have clothing that they've outgrown or that need to be mended, that is clutter. You might want to keep the outfit that he or she came home from the hospital in for sentimental reasons but...everything else goes.

Do you have a "junk" drawer? I'll just bet that you don't use everything in that drawer. Go through in and toss, toss, toss. Only keep the items that you know that you use frequently.

Holding onto items (be it clothing, toys or craft projects) for the future, without setting an actual date for use or completion is called a dream. You might think you have a plan for them but without a date on your calendar or an item on your "do" list, it's considered clutter. Have a plan for these items or let them go.

Often, clutter is simply a postponed decision. If you put off making a decision about how to use or where to put something, you will set it on a counter or stash it in a drawer until you're ready to make that decision. Sometimes, it will sit there for months until you stash it somewhere else. All these things are also considered to be clutter.

Go through all the clutter that you have sitting on counters, drawers, closets, floors - and in places only YOU know about - and make a decision. Keep or throw away. But remember, if you keep it, you must use it!

Jude Wright is the webmistress of 40 websites, most of which relate to Home Management. Visit CleanAndOrganized.com to see how YOU can become clean and organized.