Over time our homes have a tendency to accumulate and collect all kinds of treasures, gems and keepsakes... otherwise referred to as “junk”.

Now we all know that one person’s trash is another person’s treasures, but our homes can only hold so much! Whether you are wanting to get yourself organized or prepping to put your house on the market, the secret to success is eliminating clutter .

Tackling clutter will make you feel more organized, minimize your unnecessary stuff, and make your house much more appealing to buyers. Use this checklist as a game plan to eliminate clutter from your home. If you start small, you will find that decluttering is not as hard as you thought it would be.

1. Cupboards:

• Go through all your kitchen cupboards, one at a time of course, and you will be amazed at what you find that can be thrown out. Old spices, canned food in triplicate, mystery food— it all can go.

2. Bedroom Closets:

• The saying goes, “If you haven’t worn it in a year, get rid of it.” Have you worn it recently? Does it still fit? Is it flattering? I am always amazed at the clothes I get rid of (and how many I still have) when I clean out my closets!

3. Bookcases:

• Sort through for books that don’t sound interesting, that you’ve already read and will never open again, etc. Also, go through knickknacks, papers, magazines, or anything else filling up those bookcases.

4. Kids Room:

• This is something that needs to be done about twice a year in my house. My boys go through their clothes, toys, video games, etc and out goes anything they are no longer interested in.

5. Bathroom:

• We know how cluttered and overflowing those vanities and medicine chests can get. Go through all those goodies and if it has hardened, softened or changed color, get rid of it!

6. Linen Closet:

• Towels, sheets, curtains, etc, are also things that need to be periodically sorted and tossed.

7. Under Your Bed:

• This part of the decluttering can be quite scary. Proceed with caution and always have a weapon, such as broom, vacuum cleaner or bug spray with you!

8. Organizers:

• You can get small ones in the dollar stores to organize your CDs, use them in your pantry or cupboards, store odd and ends, letters, papers, you name it!

9. Throw Out the Old:

• One thing you must absolutely remember when decluttering is you have to throw or give away anything that is not used or wanted. DO NOT just take everything out and rearrange it.

10. Everything in its Place:

• Once you have everything decluttered and organized, get everyone to help keep everything in its place—it will be easier for you to do your regular declutter if you at least have a system.