#cleaningtips

[@ilTHfeaa]

also “do i have space for this” when buying a new thing is a good one to ask too

[@090403created]

This is exactly what I taught my kid

[@shakwon619]

Nah because if you do have space you'll end up with too much stuff. Lol

[@shelbylou02]

Yes!! Very valid point

[@catherinemartinez5542]

Yes! We always ask, "where would we put?"

[@DiDaTT]

You can make space for almost anything...

[@deeeno6867]

For me, “do I use this?” Is the best question. And the follow-up would probably be “do I have something else that could be multi-purpose and take the place of the item in question?”

[@chelseabunker2391]

This! 🎉 ❤❤❤

[@madelynabeyta7205]

Too complicated haha

[@ramblinrose19]

Yes! ❤

[@Jessica_Jones]

Yes! I love how minimalism pushes you to be inventive with less. With clothing in particular, it's actually remarkable fun 😃

[@jacquelineglitter4328]

My house is really tidy. I did a lot of minimalism a few years back and I didn't like it. It didn't look cozy at all. It looked like I was in the process of moving and had everything packed up.

[@Rosalie-ct8mi]

exacty, mimimalism does not look cozy to me! I need to live in a cozy place !

[@toymenagerie2947]

For real. It's like an empty soul. Where are the memories in this big house? The extremes are crazy.

[@lisetteem588]

there's differnt stages in life for different things.. i live ina beautiful house with mutli laers, that collects dust like an occupation.. ive had a lot of accidents and injuries. i need the clutter gone.i need a smaller more practical space.

[@Jessica_Jones]

That's where being "minimal-ish" is great, because you can still have all of your cozy and lovely things, they just get to become more of a focal point when the extra unnecessary stuff goes away. It was interesting for me to observe my own decluttering progression because at first I worked to have as many totally clear surfaces as possible, but once I paired down enough to my "clutter threshold" as Dana K. White calls it, I started adding again, but with greater intentionality. Where I first swore off having any open shelving in my kitchen, I now find joy in it...because I now use all of it! ☺️

[@maricamaas2326]

Looks impersonal, and if no one is living there; like when arriving at a B&B...

[@myblueheather8240]

For nostalgia items, a good trick is to take a picture of the item. Makes it easier to choose to let go of some things that are overly kept because they're sentimental. Not the family heirlooms, of course, but minor things.

[@julieschneider5973]

I’ve done this! Takes the sting out, lol

[@timekabolden5309]

😮😮😮 🔥🔥🔥🔥👍🏾

[@bonitalehtonen1254]

Thank you!

[@DizzyRock09]

Love the advice ! I agree it makes your life easier and less clutter helps your mind and your life feel more free and relaxed .

[@baisalimitra4865]

Love the term Minimalish❤❤❤ not everyone can be a minimalist, but we sure can be little minimalish. Thank you so much👏👏👏

[@anaenache5806]

Great advice! I am there right now in my life.... always cleaning and don't know how to start decluttering because it paralyzes me. But that question is a great starting point for me Thank you so much for the helpful content!!

[@christiejohnson2746]

Likewise! I get so frustrated and feel like I'm making no progress. It can be very discouraging. 😞 However, this question is EVERYTHING!! I feel like I can start this evening with this particular question in mind, see a difference and get instant gratification!! Lemme start now...😊

[@blairwillis9199]

@@christiejohnson2746 yes, it feels overwhelming. Someone said they just get rid of 1 thing a day 🤷. We could try that.

[@Ninjanimegamer]

Start small. One drawer in the kitchen. How many can openers or cheese graters do we need. One? Maybe two? Choose a favorite. And get rid of the rest. Do the same for the utensils. How many do you use in a week, can you wash and use that again? If so keep just what you need. I found going through little stuff, easy stuff, stuff that doesn't take much thought is the best place to start to declutter. Another easy place to start is the medicine cabinet. What has expired, and what aren't you using. Maybe the last allergy medication really didn't work so why keep it? Move onto the cleaning supplies. Pair down to what you use for the bathroom, kitchen, mirrors and hard woods. Keep just those items. We don't need tons of cleaners when you're reaching for the Clorox wipes, or whatever your go to cleaner happens to be. Once you get the hang of the simple stuff, move onto a more challenging area, like the hall closet. What jackets do you always grab to go out? We tend to go for the same one or two, and leave the rest. That goes for all seasonal things. How many lunch totes do you need, or whatever is in the hall closet that can be pulled. After that, the linen closet (where towels and bedding are kept). Do you find yourself washing sheets only to put them back on the bed? Why keep multiple sets when you're only using one or two sets? A rule of thumb... Look at what you're grabbing to use every day, and that is what you keep. Most other items can go. Don't look back into the donation pile. Don't go through it. Once it's in the pile get it out of the house ASAP. The more you hold onto the donations, the higher the chance you start to second guess yourself. Don't change your answers, the first time around is as always the right answer. You chose your donations well and now go drop them off. Don't donate perishable food items or medications. Throw those out.

[@christiejohnson2746]

@@blairwillis9199 that's a good idea too! I have a 'give away' pile that seems to grow...problem is not getting rid of it instantly, then going through and reclaiming things I know I don't need. Geesh, I'll start with one thing a day and see how that works. Thanks! 💕

[@christiejohnson2746]

@@Ninjanimegamer you hit that nail on the head when you mentioned getting the donations pile out immediately! 🎯 That's a big part of my many decluttering problems!! 😣 Thanks for the tips!! 💕

[@Yeah.No.]

I really leaned into Swedish death cleaning, and I know it sounds morbid but the two questions I ask myself is yes 1.) Can I live without it and 2.) Is "this (item)" going to be a burden on my family if I die. Strange but it works. My husband has adhd so the clutter is real and we've been working towards minimalish since we moved in together. He laughs at me when I say I need to clean but I'm just downsizing and decluttering so I won't have to later. 👌

[@shepherdessofskymeadow]

I love this. "Am I willing and able to take care of this?" is another one I like to ask, whether it's a new purchase or something I might already own. In a way, every item you have is an added responsibility.

[@SophiaTheSophist]

minimalism is like being able to breathe. you can keep some sentimental things in storage, but having your spaces clean and shit-free is like fresh air. open up those windows and doors too every few days and let actual fresh air in.... it makes such a difference.

[@Ninjanimegamer]

If you have things in storage, you may not need them at all. I found stored items are rarely seen/used so why bother keeping them?

[@HussyHarryet]

I started just taking photos of sentimental things. I don't need the actual things, just the trigger for feelings and memories. So I just have the photos and chuck the stuff.

[@juliafisher5844]

Shit free is like fresh air lol😂

[@talkativeacademy4528]

The art of Luften 😊

[@bingoblue12]

@@Ninjanimegamersometimes it’s things that can’t really be displayed but are still important sentimental type of things.

[@tristongrocholski4458]

I clicked on this because I saw you doing the "27 fling boogie" I learned this technique from the Flylady. Her tips have helped me tremendously with decluttering and cleaning.

[@TheDriftwoodlover]

Great how a slight change in perspective can be so helpful

[@thekingschild2116]

Isn't it 🤗

[@noinaaphifer7983]

This is what I need to hear!! Thank you.

[@karizmaticdesign]

Such a wonderful piece of wisdom!❤

[@ILikeXena]

I love "can I live without it"! It's similar to my thought exercise, your house burns down or you're going to live in a RV, what's actually necessary? What would you *need* to buy again? Or be super glad the item exists and does not need replacing. But yours is simpler 😂

[@knit1purl1]

I think that is an excellent question. I'll probably never be even minimal-ish but this is still good to rid of excess. And thanks for donating.

[@Passion84GodAlways]

CAN 👏🏾 I 👏🏾 LIVE 👏🏾 WITHOUT 👏🏾 IT?!! BRILLIANT!!! 🏆💐 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@mysparky2011]

I keep minimum stuff too. I love it. Quite a few years back, I stopped going to stores unless I really needed something. Also if when shopping I said "Isn't that cute!!". Alarms went off in my brain and I quickly put it back on the shelf and walked away from cute. Even my grandkids say that now 🤣.

[@bodyofhope]

I imagine myself dying and my family being forced to go through my stuff. So I'm always trying to get rid of things, and make due with what I have instead of buying more. If you've ever been the one to go through a loved one's home after their passing, then you know we all accumulate way too much stuff.

[@rosemcgee1765]

Good tip , thank you so much ! You're so right !

[@jeprusan]

You’re absolutely right. Love your philosophy 👏🏼🔥👍🏼 I did the same thing, but it wasn’t until I became a stay at home grandma that I began 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 taking decluttering seriously. What worked best for me was periodically revisiting the same troublesome spaces in my home until I was mentally prepared to just let it go. That took time, though. I’ve probably donated or discarded at least 70% of my belongings at this point, and there’s 𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙡𝙡 some stuff that could go. But if I’d have used your rationale, progress would’ve came a little quicker. I definitely will moving forward.😉👍🏼

[@loving_lioness3518]

It really helps your mindset! For example...we have 1 frying pan, 1 small pot, 1 big pot etc! Donating is so much fun and stress relieving!

[@robbykidman]

Thanks for this wonderful advice

[@brandywineblue]

EXACTLY! And as soon as you buy a new pair of shoes, or clothes, or toothbrush --- TOSS THE OLD ONES!

[@John-s6h3q]

She is right !! I have a note attached to my bathroom mirror....."can I live without it" GREAT QUESTION !!!!!

[@mcalderhead]

"Can I live without it?" Love this!!! So much more action encouraged by this question. Thank you!

[@euniceloy7120]

I did that two years ago. I got rid of so many material things. I love my simple life. My home is uncluttered and easy to maintain, keep organized and cleaned. I love only having the basics. It frees up my time and my life.

[@NatachaKemp]

Brilliant question. 🙋🏽‍♀️ Love it!

[@Izabela-ek5nh]

"If I was moving to another country would I take it with me or happily leave behind" was a good one for me :)

[@rhondabryant6873]

Good point. I have been minimal-ish (married to someone who isn’t) for about 20 years. But I still have things I keep that are remnants of a past life or a fantasy life. I think especially with small kitchen appliances I definitely need to ask, “Can I live without this?” (I’m looking at you KitchenAid.)

[@pattyw7952]

The problem with being a minimalist or being minimal-ish is that your home becomes sterile looking with no individualism or personality. My girlfriend is a minimalist and her house looks like no one lives there. Its just a house with furniture not a home.

[@Cheezitnator]

I absolutely agree that one's home should reflect the personality of who's living there. That's why the Marie Kondo minimalist question is "does it spark joy?" That leaves room for things that aren't strictly function.

[@J.Ilene.]

I think that’s because people think minimalism has to always extend to how your home is decorated. I’d consider myself a minimalist because I just don’t like clutter, but I still keep a few of my favorite books and have colorful furniture, bedding, towels, etc. and plants. What I try not to have is none functional decor. My rule is it can be decorative but must also serve a purpose.

[@alejandrapoch9338]

I am minimalish since 2019 and I love it. My family of 5 loves it too! I agree with you that it can start looking too sterile. I do have plants, art and pictures on the walls, fluffy blankets, candles and fresh flowers out. We find it cozy! ❤As to the rest we only have the necessary😊

[@tomsgrexit]

I have to decorate to make my space feel like home! 😊😊

[@beitheleaf8221]

Ooh I love everyone’s witty ideas to challenge the the overconsumption/collecting. I have often justified stuff that tbh really does need to go but I was standing in my own way. Ty! This helps❤❤

[@ValerieBingham114]

I have been a minimalist since the 1980's and I do not regret it! Two pairs of shoes, 10 outfits 2 hand bags and two sweaters.

[@crochetbykawaiisloth]

That's a very good question. Thanks for the tip ❤️

[@andreajohnson3214]

This doesn't really work for me ....I could live out in the woods with a tent or bushcraft structure and a knife and some fire starter. Thing is I have things that bring beauty or happiness to my life. I've been homeless I can live without pretty much anything. That doesn't mean I want to do it again.

[@ikrobiee]

I love this advice!

[@anitarodriguez7297]

Excellent ❤❤❤

[@catherinemartinez5542]

I am desperately trying to declutter and organize my house. I decided to start on one end of the house and work my way to the other doing one room at a time, which has been a great process. Thanks for giving me a different way to look at things whilst I go through all of our stuff.

[@AMcDub0708]

I took a picture of each room put together and airy like you show here. I put the pics in a folder on my phone titled Peaceful Home. I look at them when I get the urge to hobby shop/thrift. Also it helps when needing to tidy, it gives me a visual of what im aiming for.

[@Savannah-ed4rv]

I love this idea! It's a completely different way of looking at the things you own. Thank you so much.

[@Beka-Marie]

I’m going to be doing a walk around the house today asking myself that question. I’ve decluttered quite a bit since I started watching your videos but that question is going to change the mindset a lot because I was previously asking if I need it and your are 1000% correct about making reasons why you “need” something

[@barbaracleveland5217]

Thank you Ma'am. God Bless you 🙏

[@carlasamuels479]

So true ! Very little even brings joy & I feel like I need everything in case I need to re-buy it

[@krystalkay]

I needed this!!! Thank you!! ❤️

[@pamelaburdick8366]

I decluttered by saying “if I haven’t used it in a year then I’m not going to use it” me and my neighbors donated a lot of kitchen stuff to an organization that helps people get a fresh start that have to leave their situations

[@DefiningLiz]

Your home is beautiful ❤

[@kittyking5375]

Ian going to do this. Clutter is makeing me CRAZY😮Thanks👍

[@IvanaMilanovic-ht8vt]

Your home is beautiful ❤ ❤ TY for the advices

[@t0xicbee]

Omg the mircophones must be listening, ive been trying to declutter and have been having a hard time actually getting rid of things, "can i love without it?" Is brilliant!

[@shirleyhaugaard9643]

That's what I have been doing only I call it subtracting. I pick stuff up as I go , I bin straight away or if I think it's useful to someone i put it all in a box in the back of my car. If I forget what's in there I know that I neither need it or want it and I drop it off to a charity or the tip. Im getting better at just letting it go but I also need to get better at not replacing it with more crap !

[@angelaharris1112]

I agree! The "do i need it" won't work cuz you have it if course

[@fifimac3812]

Thank You!! ❤

[@WorldofBabySensory]

This video is much appreciated. I became "minimalish" in 2022. It feels great!❤❤

[@kayligo]

My hang up is that I try to sell things instead of donate. But I did a little free pile yesterday so that’s progress.

[@belladriver258]

Your house is beautiful ❤

[@KizzyAqueelah]

I love that question 🙌🏽😭

[@LauraOfTheValley]

Can I live without it is an amazing mantra. Mines is "Will I use it?". I live minimalish, but with a twist. I still love to indulge in girly things, which can cause a build-up if you THINK you want a shiny new toy. I started being realistic with myself and stopping to consider "will I really use this? Or will it expire inside on my vanity or bulk up in my closet?"

[@ItsTommieBoi]

Watching this multiple times to internalize

[@JC-vz9hz]

I love your living room set up. Mine is a lot like it, but I have too many plants. I have a tough time letting them go bc most of them are from my mom's funeral in 2018.

[@winduprose]

Love it! Another good scenario question to ask is "If this item got severely soiled/stained, would I put in the time and effort to clean it in order to keep it?" If the answer is no, you don't need it!

[@alexiia1376]

Thanks for sharing real life problems that we all tend to push to the back of our cupboards. 😂❤🫂🗣🫶

[@theoriginaleb9616]

I remodeled my house, DIY repairs, and work on cars. So my garage is FULL of tools & supplies that some men would be jealous over. Lol I can’t get rid of stuff because I live by the motto “better to have it and not need it rather than need it and not have it.” I don’t want to have to go buy something I once had and got rid of, just in case I need it later. I’m a pack rat and a penny pincher. Lol But I do wish my hoard was a bit better organized.

[@FreeSpiritinLightandLove]

I am going to do this and have the biggest yard sale. I wish I had started doing this when I was young (before spending fortunes on “what, I couldn’t tell you”.

[@mztwixed]

Thank you for this.

[@loveandpeace7695]

Good question to ask! Thank you for sharing your philosophy. You have a nice and tidy home. Good job!!!❤

[@tanguerafeliz5096]

What is that squishable basket thing?

[@tanyastewartesq.512]

Foldable/Collapsible laundry basket. Space saver 👍🏾

[@nnylasoR]

I appreciate this. Still … I can find reasons to explain why everything needs to stay - for my literal survival!!! 😅 As someone striving to get out from under her lifetime of excess -and the ‘hoarding disorder’ label they slapped on me- I have been in therapy for nearly 5 years… and am finally ready to free myself from this excess for good. But it’s not as simple as gutting the house (then I would FREAK, grasp at anything and everything I could, and feel as though I’d have to start my mental work almost all over again…) I’m trying to tackle the least emotionally painful items first… following my feelings’ lead. If I look at something and feel absolutely nothing (breakthrough!!!!), I POUNCE. This has been working thus far, as I’ve viewed pretty much everything throughout my life as an art supply or holding some of my identity, or sentimentality.

[@betula-pendula]

I love my cluttery house full of items, full of possibilities, full of joy. If my house would be this clean I would ask myself what to do next? A cluttery house is a living house. A tidied up house, cleaned like this seems like a house nobody lives in. Like a house made for a journal.

[@Hi_Im_Akward]

I feel like this is a good question to ask, but its not the only question to ask and my brain still finds ways to warp the question. Can i live without it means that i would probably declutter things that I love but technically can live without. You need a few questions to ask crtical questions about your stuff. A major thing i ask is "does it fit in my space" and then "if i want it to fit in my space, what do i need to get rid of to make it work".

[@cfaithp]

Omg I needed to hear this.

[@RoLee705]

Sounds like the same question to me. I can “live” without a lot. I don’t technically “need” a lot. Do I need it for a stable, functional life? Can I live happily and be functional without it? No? I should get it.

[@normasubia6807]

Yes !!!! I will live by this rule THANKS ❤

[@yvonnes7412]

Thank you ❤

[@Yellowbanana2024]

Good advise. Beautiful home😊 what is the vacuum you are using on your hardwood floor?

[@sarahmorales1650]

I did the same thing, got rid of 15 big bags most I donated n a bit to the trash. I even bought a smaller bedroom set. I'm doing so much so know I'm renovating my apt by DIYing.😂😂😂

[@MagneticUnicornVlogs]

Love your question!!

[@michellebvicon3998]

Yes, I can. And I approve this message ❤️

[@lunagabriella213]

Yep yep 👍 💯🎉🎉 I've been bare bones minimalism before and started what my life is now accustomed to: interchangable clothing (fulfilling multiple categories and being better quality), and keeping what is important to myself, especially were I to move again. 🔥 This means minimal seasonal items, if any, minimal pictures and mementos, and most importantly MINIMAL THINGS IN STORAGE. What I literally have now in a large zippered plastic bag is all of my travel stuff, swim suits, and three dresses.

[@BlessedKomal]

Thank you 😊

[@dianarodriguez7480]

I dream to have a house with lot of space like yours❤

[@blesd4success]

I *can * live without it but that would also make my life un necessarily hard and cost me in time and energy to have to do a work around.

[@user-nm6dr4uy3d]

Whenever I want to declutter something, I store it. After a while, if I haven't even thought of that item ever since I stored it, I donate it. It's so much easier to get rid of something when you've taken distance from it and proven to yourself that you can live without it.

[@lindawynell]

Great idea! Thank you.

[@4ASHDesign]

I use the question, will I use this in 1 week, 1 month 6 months or a year? If not , I let it go. I use this for my clients, friends and family too.

[@paulpetersen-iu1he]

I love that ❤❤

[@Rashoush88]

This is such a great tip for new mums and kids toys!

[@_BO.]

My go 's to :-) 1. Can I live without it? (Thinking about more then half of the people elswhere in the world who can live without stuff) 2. Does this item gives me joy, or does it gives me more stress because I have to maintain it? 3. With sentimental items: I take a picture and get rid of the physical item. I back-up the pictures in a folder "special memories" 4. Will I feel releasing this item? Yes I want that feeling!

[@judysbakeryandtestkitchen1654]

Great! Thank you for sharing

[@joycestempa5647]

OR, do what I do. I donate at least 1 large bag a week full of anything and everything from all over the house, clothes, shoes, linens, towels, pillows, kitchen wear, decor, furniture, gardening items, you name it. Eventually you will declutter a lot. I also set a rule that for every new thing that comes in, 1 old thing must go. Example, I just bought 9 Christmas glasses, so I donated 9 coffee table books the next day. Further, I religiously go through my closet at the end of each season and pull out anything I didn’t wear either at all or only once that season. If I didn’t use it, I don’t need it. So that in itself usually ends up being 1-2 large bags full of goodies for our local Salvation Army donation center!!

[@noob19087]

"If I spilled red wine on this, how hard would I try to clean it before throwing it out?"

[@mariadedominicis2628]

Woah woah woah..what is that battery operated (I assume it runs on batteries lol) dish scrubber brush thing you were using?? It’s gray with a white handle. That thing looks neat as heck!!

[@christiejohnson2746]

Great question to ask...now let me find a basket around here somewhere!! 🤔 😅

[@SusanDaschner]

I love that question and the term . Also, where did you get the collapsible laundry basket? I love it.

[@OrganizedChaos4]

amzn.to/3W6cN7i

[@breezeh1127]

"But do I want to" 😂😂

[@maryamvannoort6970]

I can live without almost anything, doesn’t mean I want to

[@lizzabbott]

Gorgeous home ! Well done

[@Atwater369w]

Can i live without it? GREAT QUESTION❤❤

[@gloriajunca279]

The best of best question !!! can I live without it

[@FrankleeAstar]

I love this omg THANK YOU! - We moved into a house 6 yrs ago planning to be here 6 months to a year tops bkz its sorta just not big enoigh 4 us theres 6 cabinets in the kitchen(so we got a stand alone cabinet for snacks and dishes) and oir furniture is too big for the hpuse so it makes it feel smaller and theres 4 of us, 1 teenager 1 toddler turned 6yr old, and 2 adults and we live in the woods like trees literally 2 feet from our outside walls, with hardwood floors, the dirt from the gravel driveway and the leaves and yada yada its a never eneding struggle, all oir clothes, shoes for all seasons the kids electronics and toys etc my crafting stuff etc school stuff etc etc oh God it never ends. Did i *memtion* theres No Dishwasher !? Ugh!?!? But yes i will start over, feeling much less overwhelmed and ask "can we live without it" and yeah the answer will be Yes! Aboit a bunch of stuff!!!