As we age, the desire for a simpler, more organised living space often grows. It's not just about aesthetics; it's about creating a serene environment that's easy to navigate and maintain. Clutter can be a source of stress and frustration, and it can even pose a safety hazard, making it all the more important to find effective ways to keep our homes tidy. Enter the laundry basket hack, a decluttering method that's gaining popularity for its simplicity and effectiveness.

The concept is straightforward: once a month, grab a laundry basket and embark on a decluttering mission around your home. The goal is to fill the basket with items that you no longer need, want, or use. This could include clothes that no longer fit, books you've read and won't revisit, or kitchen gadgets that have been collecting dust. The key is to be ruthless in your selection; if it doesn't serve a purpose or bring you joy, into the basket it goes.

The beauty of this method lies in its flexibility. You can choose to throw away the items, sell them for a bit of extra cash, donate them to charity, or even re-gift them to someone who would appreciate them more. The point is to remove these items from your space, thereby reducing clutter and making room for what truly matters.

Clean and declutter homes with ease thanks to Vanesa's cleaning tips. Image Credit: Pexels/Sarah Chai

To ensure the process is thorough, don't stop until the basket is full. In fact, it can even be overflowing. This approach forces you to really consider what can be let go, rather than stopping when you've found just a few items to discard.

The effectiveness of this method was showcased by a former housekeeper and her husband, who shared their decluttering journey on social media. After their most recent session, they had not only filled two laundry baskets but also accumulated additional bags of clothes and dog toys. Their followers were quick to praise the idea, with many sharing that they had adopted the method with great success.

As we approach the holiday season, a time notorious for an influx of new items into our homes, this decluttering hack could be particularly useful. It's a preemptive strike against the post-holiday clutter that inevitably seems to build up.

Watch Vanesa Amaro's cleaning tip here:

Source: @vanesaamaro91/TikTok​

However, it's important to follow through with the final step: actually getting rid of the clutter. It's all too easy to fill a basket and then leave it sitting in the hallway, becoming clutter itself. To avoid this, have a plan in place for what you'll do with the items once the basket is full. Whether it's scheduling a pickup from a charity, listing items for sale online, or dropping them off at a local Buy Nothing group, immediate action will ensure your decluttering efforts have a lasting impact.

For our readers who are looking for a sustainable way to manage their belongings, this laundry basket hack could be a game-changer. It's a simple, yet powerful tool in the battle against clutter. And remember, decluttering isn't just about creating space in your home; it's about creating space in your life for new experiences, memories, and perhaps even new friendships.

Key Takeaways

• A former housekeeper has shared her decluttering method that involves using two laundry baskets to collect unwanted items.
• The process includes categorising the items to be thrown away, sold, or re-gifted and ensures the baskets are fully packed or even overflowing.
• The decluttering technique proved popular with followers on TikTok, with many appreciating the idea especially for the upcoming holiday season.
• Some users provided additional decluttering tips and suggested engaging with local community groups, such as Facebook Buy Nothing groups, for giving away items.

So, why not give it a try? Grab a laundry basket and start decluttering today. You might be surprised at how liberating it feels to let go of the excess and embrace a more clutter-free lifestyle. And if you've got your own decluttering tips or success stories, we'd love to hear them in the comments below!

 

[Gaena]

I will need more than 1 basket to declutter my wardrobe, I have been saying for months that I will sort out my wardrobe, get rid of shoes that I can no longer wear as well as a seemingly endless collection of slippers that use up the floor space and that create a tripping hazard, clothes are not the problem just the footwear, I declutter clothes on a regular basis vitualy everytime I buy a new Item I need to find draw space or a clothes hanger to put it in or on so no problem there, something not worn few a couple of months or years will go to create space for that new item but before I fall over yet anther item of foot wear I must get around to that declutter plan.