Fast & Easy In No Time: Try the 1-3-5 Decluttering Method

Tight on time and need to tidy up your space quickly? Here’s a super-easy solution to declutter your space in no time: the 1-3-5 Decluttering Method. This method cuts clutter and helps you keep it that way for longer.

The 1-3-5 Decluttering Method

  1. Focus on one main task that will help you achieve your goal.
  2. Set three secondary tasks that are easier to tackle than the first one (i.e., tasks that require less time or energy) to help you move toward your goal.
  3. Finish with five smaller tasks that take minimal effort, helping to wrap up the space and maintain its neatness.

Step One: The Heavy Lift – Remove and Sort the Clutter

Start by removing all the clutter and sorting it:

  • Things that need to go away
  • Things that need to be tossed out (see also the Ski-Slope Organizing Method)
    Move back and forth across the room to remove anything that clutters the space.

After tidying up and trashing all the junk, you’re left with items that don’t have a home. Now it’s time to organize (see also the Flylady Declutter Method).

Step Two: Find Three (3) Areas to Maximize Your Space

Here are three (3) key areas to organize:

The Bedroom

  • Clear off and clean all the surfaces in the room.
  • Remove everything from your dressers and nightstands.
  • Remove anything that doesn’t belong in the bedroom. Deliberately place items that belong elsewhere in their correct rooms.
  • Only keep the things you use, need, or love!

Clothes & Closet

Tackling your clothes and closet may feel overwhelming, but breaking it down helps:

  • Start decluttering one drawer at a time.
  • Go through your closet and evaluate outdated or worn-out clothing.
  • Discard items that no longer fit or feel good to wear.

The Kitchen

  • The kitchen is for making meals, not for storage. Weed out what you’re not using—either find a place for it or get rid of it.
  • For appliances, if it’s broken or you no longer use it, donate it or toss it.
  • Recycle food containers, especially those that no longer have lids.
  • Hang pots and pans above the stove or store them somewhere functional.
  • Remember: Less is more.

After tacking these projects thoroughly clean everything from top to bottom—ceiling to floor. This is a great time to give everything a deep clean.

Step Three: The Final Five Tasks

Now focus on the finishing touches to pull the space together with minimal effort:

  1. Refrigerator
    Clear out expired food, take inventory of what you have, and consolidate items. Remember the “first in, first out” rule.
  2. Cosmetics
    Is your bathroom vanity cluttered with cosmetics? How old is that “favorite” eyeliner pencil? Cosmetics have a shelf life, and using them past their expiration date can cause breakouts or bacteria buildup. Take an hour or less to clear out old or unused cosmetics.
  3. Medicine Cabinet
    Your medicine cabinet is your home pharmacy. Keep the clutter to a minimum by spending a few minutes each month clearing out expired and empty bottles.
  4. Shoes
    Every few months, go through your shoes to keep your closet and entryway clear of clutter. This will help you avoid stumbling over items.
  5. Mismatched Bed Linens & Worn Towels
    Let’s face it—good sheets are expensive, but over time, bed linens can become mismatched due to stains, tears, or shrinkage. Take some time to go through your linen closet and downsize on mismatched sheets. Toss out any ratty towels or stained washcloths to keep your linen closet organized. Plus, this gives you an excuse to buy some soft, new towels!

Need more space at home. Think self storage.

For many of us, there just isn’t enough space in our home for everything we own. For valuables you simply cannot part with but need to free up space, think self storage. 

Have questions, give our friendly and professional staff at Montgomery NY Self Storage a call anytime (845) 457-6229. Let’s store it together. The phone is always on. 


About Montgomery Self Storage

Montgomery Self Storage is your friendly, local neighborhood, mom and pop, self storage center. Making people’s lives easier for 15 years.

Enjoy peace of mind knowing that your unit is monitored by a closed-circuit video surveillance system. The facility is routinely checked for pests and all units are well-lit and super-clean. 

Montgomery Self Storage follows state and federal guidelines for social distancing and sanitation. The health and safety of our customers and employees is our highest priority.

Please stay safe during your move. 

Book a unit online or call anytime, the phone is always open.

Montgomery Self Storage
9 Factory Street, Montgomery, NY 12549

Phone: (845) 457-6229
SelfStorageMontgomeryNY.com

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