Clutter Cutters: Spring-Cleaning Solutions

William Morris, a renowned 20th century artist and interior designer, once said, ?Have nothing in your house you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.? To the homeowner on the cusp of spring-cleaning, no adage could be so simultaneously inspiring and overwhelming. Whether you?re a seasonal clutter-bug or a full-blown pack rat, spring-cleaning can be made simple. Here?s how:

1. Start With the Four-Box Method

The first step to spring-cleaning is to eliminate the obvious clutter lying around the house. Cynthia Townley Ewer, editor of OrganizedHome.com, suggests using the four-box method as a simple clutter pick-me-up. The concept is to create four boxes: one for items to be put away, one for items to be thrown away, one for items to be given away and one for items to be stored away.

By the end of your cleaning spree, you should have gathered old office papers to be trashed, extra toys to be donated, seasonal décor to be stored and miscellaneous items to be dispersed to other areas of the house. If your home is a neat-freak?s nightmare, take your cleaning step-by-step, de-cluttering a different room each day. Eliminating the most highly visible clutter to begin with will clear a path for you to eventually get all the details in order!

2. The Closet Controversy

A great way to usher in the new season is with a closet that can handle the demands of your springtime wardrobe. This means donating the pants that only fit you 20 pounds ago or trashing the scuffed sling backs. Here?s how to know if an item is closet-worthy or dumpster-bound:

• How long has it been sitting in the closet? If it?s been more than a year since it?s seen the light of day, donate it. Pieces sitting in your closet that long are often outdated and no longer match the rest of your wardrobe.
• Does it fit? If it?s two sizes too big or too small, toss it. Yes, we all want to fit into that dress from when we were a size ?fill-in-the-blank,? but let?s get real. Closet space is a precious commodity you can?t afford to waste.
• Is it in wearable condition? Some items may look okay a mile away, but get up close and personal with your clothing. Are you concealing holes in the underarms or stains that are only visible when your shirt is untucked? Get rid of them.
3. Bedlam in the Bathroom

It?s hard to wash away your worries when you?re fretting over the chaos in the bathroom. Since a season of sneezing and wheezing is just around the corner, start by cleaning out the medicine cabinet. Be sure to discard any expired medications and prescriptions, then organize. Group medications together by type - allergy, first-aid and prescription - for easy access.

Next, move on to the bathtub and shower. Do you knock over the shampoo bottles every morning when climbing into the shower? If so, it might be time for an over-the-showerhead caddy. You can also maximize space in the shower by using a suction basket for light items such as loofahs and razors.

4. Kitchen Chaos

Minimize the mess in your kitchen by getting things off the counter. Chances are, you have a plethora of appliances clogging your counter space. Ask yourself how often you use them. Once-in-a-while items such as blenders and food processors can be tucked into cabinets, freeing up space for everyday appliances like the coffee pot and grinder. Also consider hanging paper towel holders, dish racks and utensil hooks to create even more room for cooking.

5. Everyday Rituals

Getting your home clutter-free is only half the battle; the other half is keeping it that way. Make a vow to implement little everyday rituals to maintain your new orderly oasis. Open your mail next to the trash can to immediately eliminate junk mail and hang your keys on a key rack as soon as you walk in the door.