Clutter-free living is more than a project, it's also a process. It's one thing to declutter
your home once, but keeping it clutter-free requires healthy habits going forward. One way
to accomplish this is to immediately complete any task that can be finished in one minute or less.
Followed consistently, this rule will change your life and will make an amazing difference
in your home. Here's a list of 21 one-minute clutter free habits to accomplish right away,
whenever you see them in your home. Number one: make your bed. First thing, right away,
as soon as you get up. This will also set the right tone for your day. Number two:
put away your coat and shoes. Also scarves, and gloves, and hats; as soon as you walk in the door,
immediately into the coat closet where they belong. Number three: recycle the junk mail. In
fact, I throw my junk mail into the recycle bin in the garage even before I walk in the door. Number
four: put clean dishes away. Don't leave them out on the counter, in the sink, or in the dishwasher.
Number five: don't leave clothes on the floor or furniture. Now it's a tough one to break if you're
in the habit of leaving them out, but it takes literally less than 30 seconds to put them away,
so just do it. Number six: put away your keys and change. Wherever your drop zone is,
(ours is a drawer,) use it always. Bonus: you'll always know where your keys are.
Number seven: don't leave out bathroom toiletries; in the morning after getting ready,
and at night before going to bed. So twice a day, keep your bathroom counter clear. Number eight:
put kids school items away right after school. Teach and show your kids where their backpacks go,
and then get them trained early. Number nine: empty the car entirely whenever you arrive home.
Whatever you brought into the car that day, take it out when you get home. Number 10:
wash your snack dishes and cups immediately. Pots and pans obviously take longer than a minute, but
the bowl you used for ice cream or potato chips won't. We use a dish wand, and we hand wash our
dishes quickly and right away. Number 11: store away your kitchen appliances; toaster, coffee pot,
blender. If you're physically able, store them all out of sight, even if you use them every day.
Trust me, you'll love it. Number 12: pick up toys. There is no age too early to teach your kids how
to clean up after themselves. Number 13: tear down cardboard boxes. Get rid of them as soon
as you can, but even if you're going to keep them, break them down and free up the space. Number 14:
put away the remote controls. Don't leave remote controls scattered all over the living room.
Put them back where they belong after each use. Number 15: return chargers and cords to drawers,
especially especially if you charge electronics in shared spaces. If there's not
a device connected to it, put it in a drawer. Number 16: fold your blanket after each use.
Given the option of a wadded up blanket on the couch or folded nicely,
choose folded. Number 17: empty full trash cans and bins. Look someone's got to take
out the trash, might as well be you. If the bin is full, follow the one minute rule and get it out.
Number 18: return reading materials to their designated home: magazines, newspapers, books,
sudoku, whatever it is. Number 19: throw out any expired leftovers or food. Whether you find it
in the fridge or the pantry, whenever you find it, throw it away. Number 20: put away your tools. You
know who you are. And number 21: file papers. Few things clutter a room quicker than piles of paper.
Now this may take longer than a minute to conquer the first time, but once you do, keeping papers
filed takes less time than you think. Followed consistently, these micro-habits will make an
amazing difference in your home, and each of them can be completed in less than a minute. Seriously
who doesn't love living in a clutter-free home? Probably while you're watching this video.