Jump-start Your Organizing Plan: 50 Ways to Leave Your Clutter

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Published 2019-09-11

Last month marked the 100th meeting of the Houston Clutter Coaching Meetup! In honor of that milestone, we’ve updated the list of 50 action items to kick off your organizing plan that we prepared for our 50th episode. No matter what project you’ve decided to take on, you’ll find useful first steps—or next steps—on our jump-start list.

Gayle Goddard, professional organizer and owner of The Clutter Fairy in Houston, Texas, presents "Jump-start Your Organizing Plan: 50 Ways to Leave Your Clutter."

And as promised in the video, here's the list for anyone who'd like to use part (or all!) of it as a starting point for your own organizing to-do list:

1 · junk drawer
2 · closet floor
3 · wire hangers
4 · medicine cabinet
5 · linen closet
6 · mail stash
7 · magazines
8 · travel bottles and mugs
9 · plastic bags
10 · refrigerator
11 · kids’ artwork
12 · under the sink
13 · filing cabinet
14 · office supplies
15 · books
16 · pet toys
17 · old electronics
18 · music collection
19 · craft supplies
20 · holiday decorations
21 · pantry
22 · kitchen gadgets
23 · buffet
24 · purses
25 · receipts
26 · shower products
27 · lotions & potions
28 · kids’ clothes
29 · toys
30 · jewelry
31 · shoes
32 · decorations
33 · laundry room
34 · bedside table
35 · garage
36 · under the bed
37 · mail receptacle
38 · fridge storage
39 · medicine cabinet organizer
40 · kids’ storage
41 · kitchen gadget bins
42 · closet hooks
43 · labeled baskets
44 · under-bed storage
45 · shoe organizers
46 · hanging garage storage
47 · magazine holders
48 · bill box
49 · drawer organizers
50 · magazine rack

All Comments (21)

@michah321 2 years ago

I decluttered my kitchen including these coffee travel cups with much deliberation.. yesterday my boyfriend who was SO excited came home with TWO coffee travel mugs, one for each of us! I said ' that's so awesome!' cause I can't be that discouraging to him... Augh.. maybe he'll forget about them by January...
@tsambikasabineiakovidis7755 4 years ago

shower products I don't like or don't use I recycle them either in the washing machine in the rugs, carpets, shoes and dishcloths cycle or for washing dishes, surfaces or floors... They work just fine!!!
@nickelvins8272 4 years ago

Craft supplies are a huge thing for me. I find you come back to things you used to use. You find new ways of using products.
@JimmieHammel 4 years ago

Yay! I haven't even watched yet, but I'm so excited! Gail is my clutter guru! ❤️
@tporters1 4 years ago

I remember when I watched this list the first time you did it. The audio was starting to improve, but still wasn't great and I didn't care because I found everything so helpful. You guys have come a long way! Congratulations on your 100th meet up! And happy belated birthday Gayle! :-)
@mechkitten 4 years ago

19:50 My cat looked over when the meowing started and said "You are not decluttering me."
@nicholaibrooks6990 2 years ago

Perfect video needed for moving out of state this summer. We don't have any crazy rooms full or anything but we have 2800 sq ft and just have too much stuff we dont need and definitely don't need to move across the country!! Thank you!!!!!!!
@tsambikasabineiakovidis7755 4 years ago

I use old linen and towels for cleaning purposes, I cut them down into pieces and finish using them...
@wandayonder9772 4 years ago

This is a ripper, thank you! I turned it up loud and walked through the house looking at each thing you mentioned, grabbing a few small things to toss out in each category you went through. I have currently paused the vid on 18 - Music Collection while I clear out old cassettes and CDs into the giveaway box. This is an excellent one to listen to while actually DOING it as well, stopping on a category that takes our interest.
@marylowe3487 1 year ago

Very helpful and concise. Thank you so much.
@patriciavitiello9614 4 years ago

Gayle I love everything you work hard at doing and keep up the 😊 different things you've been trying in the last ten year. I'm so happy to hear your voice every night your my favorite and Happy Birthday to you ❤️🇨🇦👍
@carolalexander1429 4 years ago

All of your videos are excellent, and this one is so perfect. Thank you for sharing, you are truly gifted.
@Nina-hk7ub 1 year ago

I stopped at "clear up the floor in the closet ". That's my next bedroom project.
@nightsky5979 4 years ago

Thank you for being so helpful, Gayle!
@TheDriftwoodlover 4 years ago

Been in a funk not getting things done for a few months. Listened to this tonight while decluttering - specifically some of the things you mentioned had me jumping to a few new areas. Saved this as a favorite so I can listen again this weekend as I tackle more (lots of paper to go through). Thanks!
@unlonely9007 4 years ago

This list is great. I've downsized so much in the last couple years. We are living in 230 sq ft for 4 people. Living with clutter is simply not an option anymore. And even though I'm down to only 4 pairs of shoes and 6 books, there are still plenty of areas I still need to go back and do touch ups.
@tennesseenana4838 3 years ago

I have a wire shelf in my utility room have a plastic bag's handles hung over a hanger there. I fill that with other plastic bags and grab one when I remove my dog's 'yard decorations'. I have the same set up for cleaning out the cat's box. That way I always know when I have too many bags and can take them to Kroger's plastic bag recycle bin. If I have them in a drawer somewhere they're forgotten about.
@Spokenfan 4 years ago

Yay 😀 so nice to see you again 👍Hope you had a Wonderful Birthday 🎂 🎁 🎈🎉🎊
@elliotelliott901 4 years ago

Yesssssssss......😁!!! Thank you for this video!!!👍
@travelfun3513 4 years ago

Thank you for the tips!