Decluttering expert Marie Kondo’s philosophy of keeping only what sparks joy can be inspiring to some people and intimidating to others, but even small changes can help you free up space.
On this page, we've outlined a three-step plan to guide you as you declutter your home. You'll also find links to our expert product reviews that are guaranteed to help upgrade your cleaning arsenal.
Be inspired to make home improvements.Step 1: Prioritise
Start out with a clear plan and be willing to be ruthless in your decluttering mission as you move from room to room.
Cleaning expert Delia Cannings, who is the chair of the British Cleaning Council, says: 'Make a list of what you want to keep and what you’re going to throw away, and check everyone in the household is happy with the things you’re getting rid of.
'You can’t declutter every room, so maybe start with one of the bedrooms or the bathroom. Once you start going through things, one by one, you’ll be amazed at all the toiletries you find that are out of date or that you never use.
'A cluttered home can make you feel very stressed. Once you’ve restored space, order and peace, you can feel quite rejuvenated.'
When getting rid of an item in poor condition (or one that isn't suitable to be passed on), look at your local authority’s recycling depot to see if it's suitable for recycling.
No matter how well you look after your gadgets and appliances, everything has a shelf life. See our guide toStep 2: Organise
Once you've managed to clear your home of items you no longer need, it's time to turn your attention to organising what's left.
When thinking of ways to move non-essentials out of the way, consider the following:
Use vertical space Experiment with cube storageManaging children's items Don't forget the benefits of multipurpose furniture Try self-storage Manage (or dispose of) your cables Turn piles of photos into beautiful booksConvert DVDs into digital filesFor more storage tips, seeour guide to . We also have advice onStep 3: Repeat
Move from room to room, repeating the formula of ditching non-essential items and organising the bits you're keeping.
When you’re satisfied your home is relatively clutter-free, you'll need to do your best to keep it that way. Trying to set aside some dedicated time in your daily routine can help you stay on top of any mess before it becomes overwhelming. You can also try the following:
Enforcing a 'one in, one out' ruleDonating unwanted electricals or clothes to charity Involve the family (if you can)Choose new purchases wiselyMake tidying a little more enjoyableIf you're planning on replacing your couch, have a read through our advice on . We also have tips onPopular products for tidying your home
Below, we've shared links through to our product reviews so you can snag a Which? Best Buy.
We've also included links to popular products, based on the numbers of visits to our reviews over the past year. Popularity doesn't guarantee quality, though, so you'll have to check our full reviews to see how each model scores.
You might not know that Which? is a not-for-profit organisation. The money we make goes directly back into our testing and our efforts to protect consumers and to make their lives simpler, fairer and safer.
Vacuum cleaners
Our top-scoring vacuum cleaner:A powerful vacuum cleaner can help you tackle accumulated dust lurking in your home. If you're shopping for a new model, remember that going cordless can be handy for awkward jobs such as vacuuming stairs.
Popular vacuum cleaners on the Which? website include:
Browse all of our .Steam cleaners
Our top-scoring steam cleaner:High temperatures produced by steam cleaners aim to eliminate traces of dust and harmful bacteria without the need for harsh chemicals. Plus, if you suffer from asthma or allergies exacerbated by dust mites, investing in a steam cleaner could be a wise move.
As well as cleaning hard floors and carpets, bathrooms and curtains, you can also experiment with modes designed to clean your oven and hob (as long as you avoid the oven's heating element).
Popular steam cleaners on the Which? website include:
Browse all of our .All-purpose cleaning sprays
Our top-scoring cleaning spray:A capable cleaning spray can help you tackle bathroom grime and kitchen grease, leaving surfaces spotless. We've tested sprays from well-known brands, including Dettol, Ecover, Flash and Method – as well as supermarket brands.
Consult our guide to the .Window vacs
Our top-scoring window vac:The best window vacs are a breeze to use and effortlessly remove condensation on your windows. Our experts have put bestselling window vacuums from the likes of Beldray, Karcher, Titan and Tower to the test to find out which is the best option overall.
Explore our guide to the .source https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/how-to-declutter-your-home-in-3-simple-steps-aRR160A5a5Le