Many of us desire a clean and organized home, but if you don't know how to declutter your home, you may find yourself in a repetitive cycle of clutter and mess. To help you get started, here is an introduction to the EEE Purging Plan for clutter control. Make sure and download our free EEE Purging Plan form to help you stay organized in the process! (The following are tips for how to declutter your home once it reaches a cluttered state, but you may want to read about our 1-touch rule for avoiding clutter to avoid having to repeat this process!)
How to Declutter Your Home
Do you want to get your personal life and home in order again? Do you want to live “leaner”and “nicer”without the encumbrance of over abundance that constantly threatens peace and perspective? I have a simple plan of action. As your daily schedule allows, go through all the rooms in your house and employ the E.E.E. plan for each and every drawer, shelf, nook, and cranny.
Using this great plan, some simple forms, and some inspiring instruction, let’s get started.
At home with the kids? Instantly access any of these printable activity bundles to keep them learning!
First, download E.E.E. Purging Plan forms.
Second, read the instructions below.
Third go to work and purge!
E.E.E. Clutter Control Plan
The E.E.E. plan provides for minimizing and allows your family to work at this project even as you abundantly share what is not really needed. The three steps include:
- Everything out (of the particular closet, cupboard, or drawer you are working on).
- Essentials back in (this same closet, cupboard, or drawer with a goal of keeping approximately 50%).
- Extras gone (from your life).
How to Declutter Your Home Tip #1: Prepare Simple Chart
So first make up a simple chart listing the rooms in your home. (Also consider using the free download.) This will give you a written plan for this project. You will be doing this for a few months and with a chart of your E.E.E. plan and a bit of time each day/week to purge, you can still keep up with your other responsibilities and feel so much better about yourself and your life. When you come upon another family member’s possessions, you will share the E.E.E. Purging Plan with them, teaching concepts and encouraging sharing.
You might start at the front door and work around the house room by room, using this personalized chart to list the shelves, drawers and closets that need attention. Then you can check off your progress as you work through the E.E.E. Purging Plan. A partially completed chart might look like this:
For instance, you might have a laundry room next to your back door with four areas of storage, so your E.E.E. chart for 
the laundry room might have have four boxes to check off next to the four listings. The half bath might have one cupboard under the sink with two shelves, a vanity, and some drawers so that room will have three listings and three boxes to check off. The kitchen will need six listings and check boxes. This written plan will make it much easier to tackle a huge project.
Three concepts will make everything easier when you begin to purge.
How to Declutter Your Home Tip #2: Enough Is Enough Already
It is obvious to anyone visiting that you probably have too much stuff. It is also apparent you like to keep all these possessions. After all, you have spent money, time, and energy purchasing, gathering, bargaining, and otherwise working to “own”. But now it is time to “share”.
Plan to keep half of everything, yes the better half, but still only half. For instance, when it is time to address the adorable, but crowded, Disney trinket shelf, you will choose only the very best half to keep. The rest you can share.
How to Declutter Your Home Tip #3: Liberation Comes with Less
If half of everything you own is eliminated, than the other half will become more precious, more valued, and more used. When you come to your personal closet, you might take out all the blouses, then the slacks, and finally the shoes, and return only half (the best half, yes) and let the rest go. The gained space will make your home feel larger and your soul less shackled with clutter.
Friends Stay, Freeloaders Go
Many times you might be keeping things that are useful, but which are no longer needed. They have lost their purpose in your life although they are sound, workable, and sometimes valuable. It is time, especially when you get to the kitchen, to let some of the pans, glass dishes, and cooking utensils find a new home. Freeloaders are no longer allowed. Only friends are welcome.
Download Free Forms
If this project appeals to you, feel free to download E.E.E. Plan forms for your personal use. Print up several copies, note the rooms are you are going to clean out, and then walk through your home noting the shelves, drawers, cupboards, and closets that need addressing in each of those rooms. Put your completed forms on a clipboard for ease of retrieval and crossing off of those important check boxes. Schedule just a bit of time each day or maybe a longer period of time each week, and lift the load of too much stuff from your shoulders. It is time!
As you overhaul your life, your home, and your stash, employ this E.E.E. Purging Plan. While it will take some time and trouble, it will make for a great accomplishment! You can find peace and prosperity as you clean up and clean out!
Find more helpful ideas in the House of Order Handbook.
Have more tips for how to declutter your home? Share them below!
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Malissa | The Jolly Owl says
Love this post so much!! I have 7 kiddos and am currently trying to declutter!! Seems so overwhelming most days. Thank you so much for this! ♥