Cleaning up the house where to start: tips for a tidy house and life

Do you feel overwhelmed at the thought of decluttering your home? You are not alone. At ZSM Woningontruiming we see every day how people struggle with the question of where to start. But rest assured, we are ready to help you. In this article we share our expertise and give you practical tips on where to start decluttering. This way you can quickly enjoy a tidy house and a tidy mind.

The consequences of a messy house

First, let's look at why a tidy home is so important. Imagine: you come home after a long day at work. Instead of relaxing, you trip over shoes in the hall, see a mountain of dishes in the kitchen and can't find your favorite book anywhere. Recognizable? A messy house has more impact than you think:

• It increases your stress level. Chaos around you often leads to chaos in your head.
• Your productivity drops. How much time do you waste looking for stuff?
• It can put a strain on relationships. Arguments about rubbish are unfortunately commonplace.
• Your health may suffer. Dust and dirt accumulate in a messy home.

As Gretchen Rubin, author of “Outer Order, Inner Calm,” so aptly puts it: “Outer order contributes to inner calm.” And we at ZSM House clearance can only confirm this.

Preparation: the key to successful cleanup

Before you find yourself in a decluttering frenzy, good preparation is essential. Think of a general planning his strategy for an important battle. Here are some steps you can take:

1. Imagine your ideal home. How does it look? How does it feel?
2. Gather your 'weapons': boxes, garbage bags, labels. You're going to need them.
3. Create a realistic step-by-step plan. Rome wasn't built in a day either.

Where should you start decluttering your home?

Now that you're armed and ready, the big question is, "Where on earth do I start?" Don't panic, we have five proven strategies for you:

Start with a small spot

Do you feel like a cat in a strange warehouse? Then start small. Choose a clear space, for example:

• A drawer in your desk
• The bedside table
• The dinner table

It's like eating an elephant: take it one bite at a time. Before you know it, you'll be gaining momentum and feeling like a clean-up champion.

Start with what annoys you most

What is your personal 'clutter nemesis'? Is the:

• That overstuffed wardrobe you battle with every morning?
• The entrance that looks like a glorified shoe store?
• Your home office that looks more like a paper war?

Address these annoyances and you will immediately notice a difference in your daily life. It's like removing a stone from your shoe – what a relief!

Start with the most frequently used places in your home

Think about it: where do you spend the most time? Focus on these places:

• The kitchen, the heart of your home
• The bathroom, your personal spa
• The living room, your relaxation oasis

By tackling these areas, you will immediately experience the benefits of your clean-up campaign. It's like cleaning your glasses – suddenly everything looks clearer.

Start where your day starts: your bedroom

Your bedroom is like the starting block of your day. A tidy bedroom can do wonders for your mood. NB:

• Your wardrobe: turn it into a capsule wardrobe
• Your bed: a made bed invites you to rest
• Your bedside tables: only the essentials, please

Clean up by category

Do you know Marie Kondo? Her method of tidying up by category is a game-changer. It goes like this:

1. Clothing: Get rid of those pants that haven't fit in years!
2. Books: Keep only the page turners
3. Papers: Digitize what you can, get rid of the rest
4. Komono (miscellaneous): From kitchen utensils to hobby supplies
5. Sentimental items: Only keep what is truly valuable

Step-by-step guide: cleaning house from scratch

Now that you know where to start, let's look at how to tackle different spaces.

Clean up the entrance and hall

Your entrance is like the cover of the book that is your house. Make a good first impression:

1. Create a permanent place for keys and mail. No more searching!
2. Limit the number of coats and shoes in plain sight. You are not a fashion house.
3. Add smart storage solutions. Consider a shoe cabinet or coat rack with storage space.

Tidying up the living room

The living room is where life happens. This is how you make it a nice place:

1. Gather all the items that don't belong in the living room. It is not a warehouse.
2. Organize books and magazines. Turn it into a mini library.
3. Create a system for remote controls and electronics. No more cable soup!

The kitchen: where to start tidying up

A tidy kitchen makes cooking a pleasure. Follow these steps:

1. Empty all kitchen cupboards and drawers. Yes, really all of them.
2. Sort kitchen utensils and appliances by use. Daily, weekly, annually?
3. Organize the refrigerator and pantry. Get rid of those expired products!

Here's a handy table for your kitchen cabinet layout:

Kitchen cabinet	Contents	Frequency of use
Top shelf	Plates, bowls	Daily
Middle shelf	Glasses, mugs	Daily
Bottom shelf	Occasional tableware	Weekly/Monthly

Cleaning up the bathroom: a fresh start

A tidy bathroom feels like a day at the spa. Start here:

1. Check the expiration date of medicines and cosmetics. Safety first!
2. Organize towels and bathroom accessories. Make it a mini wellness.
3. Create a system for daily care products. Everything within reach.

Cleaning up the bedroom: creating peace

A tidy bedroom is like a warm bath for your mind. Follow these steps:

1. Start by clearing out your wardrobe. Be ruthless!
2. Sort clothes by season and frequency of wear. Summer clothes in winter? Just put it away.
3. Organize bedside tables and dressers. Only the essentials, remember?

Special considerations when cleaning up

When cleaning up your house, there are some special cases:

• Sentimental items: Create a special place for treasured items. It's okay to be emotional.
• Digital tidying: Don't forget your computer and smartphone. Digital clutter counts too!
• Involve children: Make cleaning up a family activity. Who knows, they might even like it.

Tools for a tidy home

At ZSM Woningontruiming we love useful tools. Here are our favorites:

• Storage boxes and baskets: A suitable solution for every room
• Label Maker: No more guessing what's in that box
• Home management apps: Todoist and Tody are our top picks

Keep your house tidy

Now that you know where to start tidying up, it's important to keep your home tidy too. Our golden tips:

1. Follow the “one-minute rule”: Takes a little less than a minute? Do it immediately!
2. Schedule weekly 15-minute clean-up sessions. Short but sweet.
3. Make the seasonal spring cleaning a tradition. New season, fresh start!

Where to start cleaning up your home

Decluttering your home can feel like climbing Mount Everest. But with the right approach it is certainly feasible. Whether you choose to start with a small area, the space that bothers you the most, or decide to go by category, remember that every step brings you closer to a tidy home.

Start with these tips today and experience for yourself how a tidy living environment can improve your life. Still not sure where to start cleaning up? Simply choose one place and start. Before you know it, you will have a clean and tidy home that radiates peace and harmony.

And don't forget: if you feel like you can't figure it out on your own, we at ZSM Woningontruiming are always ready to help you. Together we make your house a home again!

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By applying these tips and insights, you can start decluttering effectively and enjoy a tidy home. Remember, a tidy home contributes to a tidy life! And if you need help, we at ZSM Woningontruiming are always there for you.