The Anti-Clutter Trick that feels Like Cheating!

[@slightlyclueless]

A non hot glue alternative for hot glue haters is museum wax/museum tack. Either way amazing tip, I always considered myself too clumsy to bother decorating!

[@cinder6]

That is what I was going to say.

[@jennw6809]

I third that -- I was thinking about putty like Blutac or Uhutac. Never heard of museum wax, will check it out.

[@agr8h2o]

I came here to say this.

[@boog.2751]

Are you and Jacqui for hire together! ❤😅

[@crystalsea72]

yes, i came to comments to say this also. i don't like bluetac, but museum wax or museum gel would work great for this. Hot glue used in conjunction with other glues like wood glue or gorilla glue work wonders for small home repairs. Like, when a piece of trim comes off the wall.

[@dianelammers1876]

Now that your decor is hot glued you can use the Tim Allen/Tool Time method of dusting with a leaf blower!!!😁

[@ellenw1587]

Works good for pet hair. 😂😂

[@Tameka_White]

😂😂

[@lyndabrown3402]

You laugh, but my husband used the leaf blower to dust our hardwood floors when I was out of town. He just blew the dust out the door. We had pets.😊

[@Sunny-iq6hm]

Your hair is beautiful! If I could get my hair to look like that, I'd hot glue it in place 😁

[@HeatherLovesViolins]

Museum gel also works really well and less damage... it's also really great for keeping drawer organizers in place...

[@denisemchaney4080]

...museum gel?

[@DianaKim91]

@@denisemchaney4080aka museum putty. it’s a clear sticky gel. Museums use it to stick down artifacts onto the display, and fancy places in earthquake prone areas will also use this. Just use a few small blobs on the bottom of the item and it will hold in place. I use it in my drawers as well to keep organizers from sliding around.

[@WVgrl59]

​@denisemchaney4080 "Museum glue is a clear, removable, and reusable adhesive that's used to secure items like glassware, crystal, and artwork in place. It's made of a thixotropic plastic liquid that flows into a solid film, and is designed to protect items from bumps, vibrations, and earthquakes."

[@brightpage1020]

Thank you!

[@poephila]

Omg I’m going to do that for my cutlery tray! Thank you for the idea!!

[@creativejenv]

On areas where you are concerned about paint peeling or the finish coming off put a piece of blue painters tape down and the hot glue on that. Also works for hanging stuff on the walls!

[@generalleia5374]

The 'sensitive' version or it will peel off paint if left too there too long.

[@lyndabrown3402]

I’ve done this often but didn’t use the tape. I’ve had to touch up paint on my walls. Thanks!

[@nostraa6125]

Reid, we love your jokes at the end of each video. Thank you!!

[@sylviavallado9273]

Museum putty is great! It keeps things solid in place until YOU remove it, and it doesn't ruin/damage surfaces. You can reuse it as well if you need to move something around. I use this for frames, vases, figurines, anything I want to display! It will not budge -until I remove it! It's easy to remove. I live in California btw, and I think it's called "earthquake putty" & found this at Home Depot (I don't work for them or get paid to promote). 😁 Thanks Dana for sharing this tip. I thought it was just me being overly cautious with my stuff. 😊

[@marthavanderpool6829]

If the decluttering gig ever fades - you should just go into comedy. Thanks for teaching me so much - with humor!!!

[@llllllllllilillii]

I know she's so funny! Love her humor and she thinks like us huh!

[@eyecyou84]

I actually LOVE the way you decorated your shelf with those little boots..

[@rhondatallent2396]

Me too!

[@AmyJo-54501]

Have to say ONE of my favorite things about watching your videos is the “Editor” comments at the end - what a hoot!

[@reneeschwartz6555]

I think for those of us who struggle with clutter, it's because everything seems so special. It's all so special to us that it's almost unbearable. And then someone else who doesn't struggle is casually glueing stuff all around because she knows that it's just stuff. I thought about this before in the "finishing a project is decluttering video" when you said, wait, that's a different category... I'm supposed to be decluttering not crafting. It's that over-thinking and trying so hard to do everything perfectly that keeps us trapped. Well, me at least! 🙂

[@mljs9245]

I agree! I’m so afraid of doing it ‘wrong’ that I don’t do it at all.

[@aprillucas-boyle222]

I’ve been doing your “finish the project “ technique and it’s been wonderful in many levels .

[@jennw6809]

I was thinking about that yesterday, I just binged a bunch of videos over the weekend. Good to hear it's working for you! I have so many projects!

[@QuiteComtrary]

Same. 💯

[@brightpage1020]

Yes!!! Way to go!!! ❤🎉 Hope you don't mind me celebrating for you with this win, but I'm ADHD mom of 4 and completion is the biggest, most consistent challenge for me besides organization. So when I hear people doing it well who were also challenged, I praise and sing, Celebrate!!! Yes!!!

[@WVgrl59]

"Museum glue is a clear, removable, and reusable adhesive that's used to secure items like glassware, crystal, and artwork in place. It's made of a thixotropic plastic liquid that flows into a solid film, and is designed to protect items from bumps, vibrations, and earthquakes."

[@faithfielder9493]

🤩 I needed a "wow" emoji for your comment. I'm not sure that I have anything in a place I want it to stay, but when I do, I will remember this.

[@brightpage1020]

My boys are an earthquake. Thank you!

[@lindamusser7370]

Good to know about in California. 😊

[@lindamusser7370]

I love the editor notes

[@madebylora]

I’ve never heard of anyone doing this in their home before! We used to glue down calculators in one of my old jobs because otherwise we could never find them. I’ve also seen decorative objects glued down in pubs and hotels, but that’s obviously to stop them being stolen! I’d be interested to hear an update about if it makes dusting easier or harder (on one hand, no need to move anything, but on the other hand I imagine it’s more awkward to clean around). Although to be honest I hardly ever do dusting anyway, so I don’t even know why I’m asking! Haha

[@ElizabethChronis]

We live in SF, so securing decor with hot glue or museum wax is an earthquake safety measure … I don’t find dusting around stuff particularly difficult. If it’s just a handful of things, it’s probably more effort than moving everything, but not really much of a difference.

[@madebylora]

@ElizabethChronis that makes sense! A slight inconvenience with dusting is better than the possibility of having to replace broken things, or risk of being hurt by falling objects. I'm in the UK, so that hadn't thought about a more serious reason for glueing stuff down. Thank you

[@delbelcoure]

Super helpful! I collect dolls and they always end up looking like they have had a drunken party - must try

[@jeweldenile8995]

I think I might enjoy the drunken party look. You made me laugh!😆

[@kendrakirschke8968]

Love it! Especially "there are no rules ... it's your house" mind blown!🎉

[@themrsbeaumont]

Ok, firstly, this is a TRUE hack! And thanks to the commenters to suggest Museum Putty (available at Home Depot) - wow, never would have thought of this! Secondly, Dana! - seeing the back of your hair made my jaw drop & is what made me comment - your curls look seriously amazing!! Whatever magic you’re doing is working😍 Beautiful!

[@CopingwithGrattitude]

What curly girl products does she use!?

[@M1326]

I have used glue dots forever. When I place my miniatures in cases or on my shelves for display, I pop a little glue dot, and it stays until I pull it off-no damage. I am not a hot glue gun girl; I like my finger tips, but glue dots also work and come in many sizes.

[@janpoorbaugh942]

I recently ordered museum wax from Amazon, and it truly only takes a little ball to stick things down on shelves or in drawers. I love your kids' little cowboy boots! ❤

[@denisemchaney4080]

Never have I ever heard this tip! I have one of those "decorates without (seemingly) any effort - looks amazing" friends coming over next week. I'm going to ask her if she's been gatekeeping! Thanks for sharing, Dana K. White!

[@Patricia.R.]

Gatekeeping decor tips!😂😂😂 that’s hilarious.

[@jeweldenile8995]

Let us know if she was gatekeeping, even if it’s just for laughs. 😀

[@llllllllllilillii]

Me either! Never!!!

[@danahanlon2265]

Reid's comments at the end are FIRE!! Makes me laugh every time.

[@melissaheaton2706]

That's so cool! I have definitely never heard it before. I don't know if I'll do this one in particular, but i love the message that there are no rules, so do what works!

[@lauramaillie3745]

If you don't like the hot glue direction for shelves, try command frame velco. Then, if you need to take anything down to dust or because of reasons, it too is easy peasy.😊. ❤ the blue glass pieces. Jackie is brilliant!🎉

[@joywhitley3141]

lol! 😂 "Is that a fly?" I love how real you are!!❤

[@CameliaThmpsn]

❤

[@jenniferpearce1052]

Yep! Came here to say the same!

[@juliarowsey9373]

Love it! Also keeps things from moving when you feather dust!!! Winner!

[@brightpage1020]

Love ❤ 🎉 Thank you! Needed this.

[@shelleyt3048]

If you are worried about protecting valuable or delicate surfaces, try conservators or museum putty. It’s a safe version of the “sticky tack” that teachers use to put up papers and stuff on classroom walls.

[@chachi_is_my_dog]

I totally just said “What?!?” outloud when you said hot glue it in place. 🤯

[@lynntouchette4520]

😮 Mind Blown! As a hot glue gun wielding crafter for decades, this never crossed my mind!

[@priscillabeacham1090]

Love that! Honestly just the other day I found out I could use hot glue for putting up outside Christmas lights so my hubby finally got them out 🎉

[@sparkie8278]

🤯🤯🤯

[@Luva_PoliticsnMagic]

OMG my strata disallows putting hooks on our balconies (because the membrane gets compromised) to hang lights. I am so going to do this!

[@DiannainSoCal]

This is also GREAT for decor in areas prone to earthquakes! I’ve used earthquake putty and museum wax before, but I’ll be breaking out the glue gun now to tack on some pieces that I haven’t yet secured! Thank you for the post!!

[@Jendria]

Fun trick! Thanks for sharing! It seems like it could come in handy for certain things. The only downside might be not being able to dust quite as easily (because you can't just quickly remove everything and immediately get the dust in one single swipe; You'd have to go around and behind and between everything without being able to just pick it up and dust. - Maybe if you used one of those dusters on a stick, instead of just a dust cloth, it would work pretty well though.) Thanks again for sharing your friend's creative solution to a common problem! I appreciate it! Also: Your sense of humor is fun. I love your videos!

[@cathypreaster1210]

Girl, I’m the Velcro queen over here, I buy different sizes and widths of it and keep lots of it in my supply arsenal. It works beautifully at keeping things from falling off shelves and whatnot.

[@hannahcrumley3103]

It would have never occurred to me that I could glue stuff down! 🤯 I have used tape inconspicuously but never would have even thought of hot glue! Thank you Dana, & thank you to your bestest and truest friend Jackie! 🥰

[@MyPetRex]

The comment you made about friends who have a knack for decorating just go for it; rings so true to me. My hairstylist is very good with decor, and she wanted to have gold handles on her appliances in her kitchen, but they were too expensive to replace, so she was telling me how she just took them off and spray painted them and put them back on. I just thought, that is something I would never dare to do, but she’s willing to take those risks and her house looks amazing.

[@julielamere9282]

OMG! My first thought was wait, what!???! I've literally never heard this idea before. It is absolutely brilliant, so simple and so brilliant!!

[@tamisimone1377]

This is awesome Dana and I so love the commentary at the end😂❤

[@granitemoss1451]

Love the museum wax tips as an alternative because the idea of hot gluing anything to anywhere makes me break out into a cold sweat 😨 Plus I like to be able to move things for cleaning.

[@kathyengland3534]

I LOVE the cowgirl boots on the shelf!

[@alysoffoxdale]

I have never been a decorating person (shelves are for _books,_ y'all!), and it has been a constant battle all my life to keep any of my other flat surfaces ready for their intended use as tables and chairs. But if I ever obtain any 3D art that can't simply be hung on a wall, I will strive to bear this concept in mind.

[@meaganralston2733]

I feel really stupid. In my career as a Haunt Attraction builder manager that is what we do. We hot glue down all the small little bits that go into a scene so customers don’t take them. Butt…. I have never thought to doing that at my house. 🤦‍♀️

[@MourningPages]

I need tips and tricks so thank you for posting this!

[@LC-38338]

Amazon sells removable putty or removable gel discs for this purpose. Great idea Dana, I am thinking of several places around my house where this idea would be useful.

[@sherylporter9557]

Blue Tak

[@ShamelesslyCreative]

Another option is the poster putty or sticky tack? either the blue or the yellow or white we always called it sticky tack so I am not sure on the name I use it for flat lay photographing as well to keep things in place the correct way. I am going to look up the museum wax or gel that several people mentioned thanks.

[@hannahstewart9898]

Your videos are so comforting and encouraging.

[@angemac1519]

Thank you for this great trick. I’m so excited . When I got a kitten about 18 months ago i collected all the things I had on display & put them all in boxes for safe keeping. I can now get them all out again thanks to this great tip. I’m gonna have fun. Thanks again. xxx ❤

[@SoMagicalMichele]

We got kittens two months ago and the display thing has been driving me crazy. This is my sparsest Christmas decorating because of them.

[@LauraRogers-xu1fi]

This never occurred to me! Game-changer! Also…Reid is too funny!

[@TheFractalStorySpinner]

I use museum putty. It's tacky enough but won't damage anything. Or, at least, hasn't damaged anything in my house yet. Also, stuff can be moved if you want.

[@candy-janes6934]

I use museum putty because I have a jerk of a cat that gamified knocking things off surfaces.

[@mssixty3426]

Thank you for this! Also, thank you to the editor for the ending comments 😄

[@rachel8364]

Dollar Tree sells "glue" dots that hold things in place too! And Amazon sells really strong adhesive strips that you can cut to whatever size you want. I discovered the glue dots because I have 2 cats and anyone who has a cat knows that they LOVE to push things over and off of tables. They also get the zoomies and accidently slide into things. So now, anything breakable or unsteady on a surface where they can jump gets "glued" down. I use a few small pieces of the super strong adhesive strips to hold my foyer & kitchen rugs in place. I'm so glad you shared this useful tip! Thanks for all you do with your channel...your video content has been very encouraging to me in my decluttering journey. Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and a blessed 2025!

[@jworth7203]

Oh my word….our dog gets zoomed and so many things that used to be cute on my shelf have gotten broken. I never thought of using those!

[@MirandaWatsonArt]

Ha, this is awesome! Now that decorative water pail that keeps magically moving somehow will stay put!

[@TrinaRaysTrekofLife]

The credits, as usual 😂😅 Thanks Reid!

[@MariMari-vq8hl]

Good idea for certain situations! 👏🏼 thanks for sharing - your end credits! 😂

[@Linelovespink]

Love your humor and Reid’s comments at the end 😂❤

[@lisam5744]

I have a small ceramic dish that I like to set up to see the design on my display shelves. It kept falling over. I used some masking tape (rolled sticky side out) and stuck it down. Same basic premise as the hot glue...I just don't have a hot glue gun.

[@lillianmartinez1593]

Ok, so I have also been living under a rock! I've never heard of any of these tips! They sound very good, especially the museum glue. TFS! 💕🌴😎

[@cathieclove3101]

never heard of this. my eyes opened as wide as yours. ha! although, I did see a little documentary on this nyc woman who decorated her whole apartment with hot glue. she was mostly hot gluing her walls. Her place was well-decorated, but it seems bizarre at the time. also, I did not translate it as a tip, like your video. thank you!

[@gln9068]

So... when decorating, after decluttering, think: "What would Jacquie do?" then glue, (or stick), it in place 😂 Thank you Jacquie for the tip, and thank you Dana, for sharing and for just being you! 🤗

[@danaerakstad7924]

I love that you said you don't watch other KZbin videos

[@trumax33]

After spending WAY too much time removing the residue from double-sided foam tape, my daughter ordered some museum wax to affix some Christmas decor to the fireplace mantle. Here's hoping it works!

[@freeluigi4444]

I just loudly shouted "what!?!?!!!!" when you spilled the secret 😂😂😂😂

[@Mayfrancisxavier]

Wow, simple but extreme but practical but genius all at once! Love it.

[@sewquilty]

When I lived in earthquake California I used self stick velcro on the shelf & then the item. This way I could take the item off to clean easier.

[@emilyr2836]

A tip for anyone who doesn't use hot glue often - you can get both low temperature and high temperature glue guns (and fancy ones that switch) - I'd opt for low temp hot glue for this as it's easier to peel off things and a bit thicker when you put it down.

[@fianorian]

Museum putty. Seriously. It's a thing.

[@amandasenger4247]

Where can you find it?

[@paperandprogress]

Amazon it lasts forever too

[@rhondatallent2396]

I put stuff on the walls with double-sided tape and I use carpet tape to tape rugs to the floor. If you need to remove rug, pour warm water on the rug where the tape is and let it sit for a bit. Like Dana said, test before you try.😇😇😇

[@VS-fo9py]

Never heard of the hot glue tip! Thanks for sharing

[@lauriedupont507]

I love your decor on the shelving behind you. This is a great trick but I doubt I’ll ever use it because the only thing I put on my book shelves are books. 😊

[@katherineflaherty3564]

I didn’t realize that my solution to this issue was to have my “decor” areas and then not put any decor in areas where I might bump things. This might be a good hack to allow me to bring some decor in to my drop zones or more functional use areas, etc. (this probably works for me because I live alone and my cat can’t jump above chair height. With kids, this would be a life saver for any decor!)

[@purityandplants]

Reid almost made me spit out my popcorn 😂 Loved the closeup of your gorgeous curls 😍

[@valeriekravette787]

I have museum gel, but I kinda love that this is a hot glue solution.

[@mljs9245]

“People who have the eye for this stuff, tend to not stress about it as much” is 1000% right. I have a couple friends that have lots of stuff decorating their homes but it all looks do good and pulled together. And they can change it with the seasons or on a whim and it still looks good. I do not have that talent/gift.

[@crimequeencreates8248]

Gosh this is really a game changer for me because our cat climbs all over and knocks things over constantly. I’m definitely going to do this whenever I can. Thanks for this amazing tip!

[@alysiachristensen5475]

Perfect! Very awesome!!! Merry Christmas! 🎄🌲🎄

[@RitaDeeDee]

Amazing! What about when you need to dust? I use a basic rug... Maybe i will need to use a feather thingy...? 🤔 Does anyone have some tips on that?😊

[@sarahd.8303]

I feel stupid and enlightened at the same time. Just hot-glueing it? ????? This would also help keep me from just picking up random stuff. Or stop myk kid from doing it. Thanks for sharing!

[@lurker125]

I used to work in a small housewares and collectible shop, The Entertainer. We had every plate, precious moment figurine, every Lladro, every Christmas nativity piece and so on in place with museum wax. Little dots of wax, ready to be used. No damage except sometimes it could discolor the paint on shelving or decor. I never knew this til working there.

[@joannlessner1551]

I would never use hot glue on my furniture, but I do use putty on plants in the windowsill which my cats like to knock over to see out.

[@mj482]

Love this idea, but one question, when it comes to dusting how we supposed to dust, just around it?

[@veronika.y.p]

This is a fantastic tip, but if you worry about hot glue, get a roll of double-sided nano-adhesive tape. That stuff is even gentler on surfaces AND you can reposition and reuse it!

[@craftthatbykat]

Love the editorial comments at the end!

[@kellyn1977]

I have never heard anyone say “a little dab’ll do ya” without singing it. lol.

[@zarzee8925]

I've only ever heard it said, didn't know it had a tune!

[@juliewright1895]

I use that blue tacky stuff, hot glue sounds great too, and it’s clear! I LOVE your curls!!

[@brightpage1020]

Love the shelved little boots!!! Were those your kids'? What an adorable way to display the memories of cuteness!!!

[@maryhardison2840]

Ok never heard this, live the comments about museum putty or tac stuff. So I could imagine in my shelves above my desk that I could tack something down to prevent myself using more flat surfaces to clutter. Or my mantel we always are moving picture frames a bit to store something else in that spot.

[@staciecarrel4492]

Museum putty does the same thing, no need to worry about it melting anything or permanently damaging anything that’s valuable or sentimental.

[@stephaniemoore-fuller9082]

Reid got me to laugh out loud at this one!

[@DanaKWhite]

Me too! People were saying that so I had to go see what he'd said!

[@madsokko]

Oui mais est-ce pratique pour nettoyer ?

[@DarlaW]

This is the first time I've heard of doing this! Wow!

[@dragonfliesfordonna2112]

We all need a Jackie....😊

[@findingaway5512]

I heard someone say to get plain decor and you can hit glue stuff on it like a face to change up the look or seasonal decor on your regular stuff. Neat to use it like that to keep stuff still.

[@mquinn5186]

Its like learning that all the mannequins in the store have paperclips at the back holding the waist snatched in tight 😂

[@seanagarrow7488]

What the heck-fire!!! That is genius!!!

[@ELaurence]

I LOVE Reed's comments! 😂❤

[@martinemikita9281]

I do this!!! Either hot glue or the double sided thick tape and I also used command strips!!! It MUST be done!!!

[@stephaniegaddis1716]

I ❤ the little boots! I also have a pair of little pink boots from my daughter on display, along with a crocheted cowboy hat from one of my sons. And I'm not even from Texas! 😂

[@ginacarpenter1156]

Hi Dana, I’m organizationally challenged and just subscribed to your channel! Are you able to remove items after glueing them down just in case your decor item needs a dunk in the sink to clean it? I occasionally need to do this because I forget to dust 🥹

[@tracyadellebachman]

Thank you for this! I'm sitting here thinking of all the places I can try this out!

[@GratefulDeb270]

Thank you! ❤ Love your books & videos and the sanity I get from a 5 minute tidy. 🎉

[@heatherhaars5545]

Never heard of this but hot glue or museum wax could be a game changer for keeping cats from knocking things over or off counters! 😮