positive impact on our mental health as well , resulting in a sense of calmness and clearer thinking . Also , reducing clutter can make your home safer by reducing tripping hazards .
that people fall and injure themselves because they cannot reach things or maneuver around piles of junk . This can be especially hazardous for elderly people or people with limited mobility . Most people spend 90 % of their time indoors – a lot of which is spent at home . Home is the place you start and end your day , the place where you spend time with family and friends . Research has indicated that a clean house can positively affect your physical and mental health . By cutting down on “ stuff ,” you make room to socialize with the people who matter to you .
Piles of clutter that are left undisturbed for long periods of time can accumulate dust , dirt and allergens , including pet hair and dander , pollen , dust mites and other pests . Mold can also develop undetected if the area is damp . If someone smokes cigarettes in a cluttered home , the walls and furnishings can become tinged with yellow and smell of smoke . This is especially hazardous for people with asthma , children , and the elderly . Reducing clutter has a
Do you have a problem with clutter ? If you think you may have a problem with household clutter , ask yourself the following questions :
• Do you have to move things around or step over things to get around your house ?
• Are tables and counters filled with so many items that you have few ( if any ) free spaces ?
• Are your drawers , closets and other storage areas overflowing with “ stuff ”?
• Do you have piles of papers that you plan to sort through but never do ?
• Do you lose things and have to search for them several times a week ?
• Do you keep things in a storage facility on an ongoing basis ?
• Are dirty dishes and empty drink cans left out for more than 24 hours ?
• Are you ashamed to invite company over to your house because of clutter ?
• Are your closets full of clothes and shoes that you no longer wear ?
If you answered yes to any of the above questions , you have a clutter problem ! Read on for steps you can take to de-clutter your home .
Take charge and clear your clutter !
Assemble your very own Clutter Emergency Kit – stock it with large garbage bags , a broom and dust pan , a vacuum cleaner , storage boxes , a marker and labels , multipurpose and glass cleaners , a mop , paper towels , and laundry detergent . Why the cleaning products ? After you clear the clutter , you will need to clean the newly exposed surfaces . You can also use different kinds of containers to help with your sorting – anything from boxes to different sizes of plastic containers or bags will work . Start by sorting items into separate piles : keep , trash ( or recycle ), donate , sell , or uncertain . Experts estimate that people only use about 20 %
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