Deep Clean: What to Throw Away from Home Right Now to Start Living Differently + Checklist

Each of us has at least once promised ourselves to sort out the clutter. But usually, it ends up with moving things from place to place. Why is it so hard to let go of what's no longer needed, and how can you do it correctly?

Main points:

• 80% of things we don't use for more than a year;
• It's hardest to get rid of gifts and mementos;
• House cleanliness starts with properly letting go of unnecessary items;
• It's important to act systematically, not chaotically;
• You should dedicate at least the weekend to sorting all your things.

Why we keep clutter

"It might come in handy," "it's a gift," "I feel bad throwing this item away" — familiar excuses? Psychologists say we keep unnecessary things due to fear of the future and attachment to the past. Old clothes remind us of "better times," broken electronics wait for a non-existent repair, and boxes from tech products gather dust in the attic "just in case"

Where to start decluttering

The main rule is not to try to sort out the entire house at once. Start small: choose one area, for example, a nightstand in the hallway or a cosmetics drawer. Sort items into three groups:

• Definitely keep;

• Definitely throw away;

• Think about it.

Put the last category in a box and store it for a month. If you don't recall these items even once during that time — get rid of them without hesitation.

Where the main clutter hides

Usually, most unnecessary items accumulate in the bathroom and kitchen. Expired cosmetics, old towels, cracked cups, and containers without lids — all of this takes up space and creates a feeling of disorder.

In the bedroom, the main enemies of tidiness are clothes that don't fit and extra bedding. In the entryway, old bags and shoes that "feel bad to throw away" are often stored.

How to get rid of things correctly

Not everything needs to go to the landfill. Many items can be:

• Sold on marketplaces;

• Donated to charity;

• Recycled;

• Given to friends.

This helps you deal with the guilt of throwing things away and brings benefit to others.

How not to accumulate new clutter

After decluttering, it's important not to fall back into old habits. Introduce the rule "one new item — one old item out." Bought a new jacket? Give away an old one. Gave a new set of dishes as a gift? Get rid of cracked cups.

Before every purchase, ask yourself:

• Is this item really needed?

• Where will it be stored?

• What happens if you don't buy it?

What to do right now

The ideal way to start is to use a ready checklist. We've compiled a list of items that you should definitely say goodbye to. Start with one room and dedicate at least an hour to it. And remember: tidiness in the home is tidiness in the mind.

Checklist

Bonus: lifehack for indecisive people

If it's hard to let go of an item, take a photo of it. Often what matters isn't the object itself but memories associated with it. A photo preserves memory without taking up space in the closet.

Cover: freepik.com