4 Organization and Cleaning Solutions You Can Skip, According to a Pro - The Kitchn

At the beginning of each new year, I sit down with a list of resolutions. Usually, my goal is to keep this list short. I try to limit myself to 1-3 things so I can focus on each project instead of feeling overwhelmed trying to get everything done. Often this list includes some sort of cleaning or organizing resolution: I'll tell myself I'm finally going to set up a capsule closet, or clear out the basement, or organize my beauty essentials.

Very often these are the projects that don't get completed. I am distracted, overwhelmed or bored. (Does this happen to you too?) My inability to complete these tasks made me think maybe I was doing something wrong when it came to setting organizational goals. So I turned to Shannon Krause, COO of Tidy Nest , for advice.

These are the organizing and cleaning resolutions that a professional says aren't worth it.

Upgrade your storage solutions

Krause says one of the biggest organizational mistakes people make at the start of a new year is buying a ton of storage. And while it may be tempting to go to Target or Home Depot and buy dozens of clear boxes or containers with the intention of using them to declutter your home, it can backfire.

"First, we believe you should always order before you buy organizational solutions so you know exactly what you need to store or contain," says Krause. This means that people often end up with large storage bins that are half full compared to the right-sized bins for their contents. "Second, if you have a container to keep the item in, you're more likely to keep it even if you've never used it, which isn't the point," she adds. "And finally, organizing solutions that aren't already being used counts as clutter."

Implementation of the "one in, one out" rule

You've heard of the "one in, one out" rule that gets rid of every time you add another item to your home or closet. "We understand," says Krause. But "we all have more items than we really need, so replacing one item with another doesn't really eliminate the clutter."

Instead, follow the "one in, two out" rule . "Over time, customers get better at this exercise and end up removing more than two items from their home at a time," says Krause.

Keep a donation box in your closet.

I swear by that, so I was curious to hear Krause's reasoning. "We like the idea, but not the location," says Krause. "Keep a donation box in your garage, entry closet, entryway, front door, even in the trunk of your car." While you understand that having it in mind it encourages you to add more to the donation pile more often, you also see that customers pull items from the donation box for the same reason. "If you're considering a 'gift,' you should immediately put it aside," she says. "Ideally, he'd be out of your house just as quickly."

Replace all your kitchen utensils

If you've ever looked into your kitchen at the end of the year and felt the need to get rid of everything, Krause recommends resisting the temptation. "We didn't subscribe to this one," he said. "Replenishing your kitchen supplies at the beginning of each year is a good idea in theory, but we think you should check and tidy your cupboards throughout the year." This is because different items have different shelf lives. And why does pumpkin pie mix come first all year round?

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