People are using a New Year's hack to create a clutter-free home
When it comes to decluttering there are a million different methods - some more complicated than others. But TikTok’s latest hack is to clear your space using Post-it notes to help you organise. There are lots of different twists you can take on the hack, from setting out reminders around your home to say what needs cleaning to seeing how many things you actually use.
One way of doing it, shared by experts at Pay Less for Storage, could help you enter 2025 in style and without a million and one objects getting in your way. The idea is that you can organise your space by sticking Post-it notes on different objects to see what things you are actually using. If you don't need it and haven't needed to take the note off after a period of time, it's got to go.
You can start with a room, but often that in itself can be overwhelming, and you'd quickly find yourself low on Post-it notes or losing momentum part way through. You want to tackle this in a manageable way, so it’s better to pick a room and then break it down into smaller spaces.
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For example, in your kitchen, you could start with the drawers under the sink or the cupboard where you store all those kitchen gadgets that seemed fun at the time (we're looking at you, waffle makers). In bedrooms, the obvious choice is your wardrobe. Mark every one of those last-season must-haves or micro trends with a Post-it.
Get Sticking
Once you know where you're going to start, this part is simple. Attach a Post-it note to each item you’re unsure about keeping, marking today’s date on it. Even better, if you can remember the last time you used the item, mark that date instead.
Depending on the item, you might need a bit of tape to ensure the Post-it stays put. You’ll find Post-its tend to fall off clothes, but you can place them over the hanger. Next time you go to use the item, you can either update the date or remove the Post-it altogether.
Review and Decide
After your set period of time (such as one or three months), go back to the space and review what still has a Post-it to see what you’ve used. You’ll be able to clearly see how little you use or wear certain items.
This makes it easier to let go of things that aren’t essential. Then, simply decide whether to dispose of the item altogether or move it to more appropriate storage.
Maintenance
Once you've been around your living space with the Post-its, decide which are the high-traffic, clutter-prone spaces and plan to do another round in six months or a year. This will prevent the gradual build-up of clutter and help you become better at identifying what items you really need in your home versus what is simply taking up space.
Sarah Day, storage solutions Expert at Pay Less for Storage explains how this simple but effective technique can help you get on top of overwhelming amounts of clutter sustainably. She said: "The Post-It Note Method is a simple yet smart approach to decluttering. It’s a fun, hands-on task that all members of the family can get involved with.
"It is especially useful for those who don’t see clutter until it’s overwhelming, as it provides a visual reminder of what you actually use versus what’s just taking up space. Perhaps the best thing about it is how affordable and simple it is; all you need is a book of Post-its and a marker.
"If you’re able to make this a yearly project, say at the beginning or end of each year, it will help you gradually become more aware of your surroundings and hopefully change your personal habits around accumulating clutter in the first place, potentially even making you more mindful about what you bring into your home."
