PDF Summary:10-Minute Declutter, by S.J. Scott and Barrie Davenport

If you feel constantly weighed down by clutter in your home, the book 10-Minute Declutter by S.J. Scott and Barrie Davenport may offer the solution you need. The authors argue that decluttering can have a profound impact on your entire life—improving your physical and mental well-being, boosting productivity, and fostering a sense of calm and control.

With practical strategies for making decluttering a daily habit, Scott and Davenport guide you through organizing rooms, surfaces, closets, and storage spaces. They cover decluttering essentials like minimizing duplicates, managing paperwork and electronics, involving family members, and maximizing space with smart storage solutions. Follow the steps outlined in this book to let go of unnecessary belongings and create an organized, clutter-free living space.

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• Develop a "one in, one out" rule for your drawers and cabinets to keep them from becoming cluttered. Whenever you add a new item to a drawer or cabinet, remove an item that is no longer needed or used. This practice encourages you to continually evaluate and streamline your possessions, ensuring that your organization method stays effective and consistent.
• Use color-coded mats or placemats to visually designate areas for different kitchen items. For instance, a red mat could be for appliances, a blue one for utensils, and a green one for essentials. This not only helps in organizing but also adds a pop of color to your kitchen decor.

Remove Expired or Unused Food and Kitchen Items

The authors stress the importance of checking when food and condiments expire and discarding any items past their prime. This includes spices, oils, vinegar, flour, and baking ingredients. They also encourage readers to assess the usefulness of kitchen gadgets and appliances, parting with any objects not utilized in the past year.

Practical Tips

• Start a weekly fridge and pantry audit ritual. Dedicate a specific day each week to go through your food storage areas, checking for items that are expired or about to expire. This regular practice not only helps in discarding expired items but also in meal planning, as you can create dishes based on what needs to be consumed soonest.
• Implement a first-in, first-out (FIFO) organization system in your pantry. Place newer items at the back and move older items to the front, making it easier to see and use products before they expire. You can use color-coded labels to quickly identify which items need to be used first, streamlining your cooking process and minimizing waste.
• Host a gadget-swapping party with friends or neighbors. This allows you to trade seldom-used gadgets for ones you might find more useful. It's a fun way to refresh your kitchen tools without buying new ones and to ensure that all gadgets get used more frequently.

Bedroom

The authors see your sleeping space as a personal sanctuary for rest and relaxation, recommending a tidying approach that promotes a peaceful and serene environment.

Declutter Surfaces and Spaces Beneath Furniture

The authors recommend clearing the space under your bed to eliminate dust and clutter, suggesting using under-bed bins with lids to organize items if needed. Additionally, they suggest minimizing clutter on surface areas like dressers, nightstands, and bookcases, keeping only essential or decorative items.

Practical Tips

• Install a custom rolling drawer system under your bed for seasonal items like clothing or decorations, ensuring that each drawer has a dust cover. This strategy keeps the under-bed area organized and minimizes dust accumulation by limiting the open space where dust can settle.
• Implement a "memory box" system with under-bed bins for each family member to store sentimental items like photos, letters, and small keepsakes. This personalizes organization and keeps memories safe and dust-free. Each person can decorate their bin to reflect their personality, making the process of storing and revisiting memories a more enjoyable experience.

Tidy and Sort Clothes, Linens, and Drawer Contents

Davenport and Scott advocate for a thorough wardrobe purge, using the "one year rule" – if you haven't worn an item in the past year, it's time to let it go. They recommend arranging garments by type, season, and color, utilizing space-saving techniques like folding sweaters on shelves, hanging pants and shirts together, and using bins for out-of-season clothing. The same approach should be applied to linens, keeping a limited supply of bedding and bath items and storing extras in labeled bins.

Practical Tips

• Create a visual wardrobe diary to track your outfits. Take a daily photo of what you wear and create an album on your phone or a physical scrapbook. This visual record will help you see which items you wear frequently and which you don't, making it easier to decide what to keep during your next purge.
• Use a wardrobe app to digitally catalog your clothes, allowing you to sort and organize your garments virtually before physically rearranging them. By taking photos of each item and uploading them to the app, you can experiment with different arrangements without having to move the clothes around multiple times. This saves time and effort, and you can see how your wardrobe will look after reorganization.
• Use multi-layer hangers to cascade clothes vertically in your closet, allowing you to hang multiple items like tank tops, scarves, or belts on a single hanger.
• Transform your closet organization by color-coding your bins according to the season, making it easier to locate and swap out clothes when the weather changes. By assigning a color to each season, such as blue for winter and yellow for summer, you can quickly identify which bins to access without having to open and search through each one.
• Experiment with natural dyeing techniques using items like tea, coffee, or turmeric to give old linens a new lease on life. This can be a fun DIY project that not only rejuvenates your linens but also allows you to customize your home's aesthetic in an eco-friendly way.
• Implement a color-coding system for your towels and sheets to quickly identify sets and maintain a limited supply. Assign a specific color for each member of the household or for guest use, and limit the number of sets per color. This simplifies laundry sorting and ensures you don't accumulate excess linens.
• Implement a "bin audit" routine every six months where you review the contents of each labeled bin, remove items that are no longer needed or used, and update the labels if the contents have changed. This keeps your storage organized and prevents the accumulation of unnecessary items.

Home Office

The authors recognize the home office as an area for productivity, emphasizing how essential a tidy and structured environment is to maximize focus and efficiency.

Declutter Desk, Electronics, and Files For Productivity

Davenport and Scott suggest clearing your desk entirely, keeping only essential items like your device, typing tool, pointing tool, and writing materials. Electronics should be cleaned regularly, with cables organized using zip ties and tags. Paperwork is a significant contributor to office clutter, so the authors recommend implementing a system each day to sort, process, and file documents.

Practical Tips

• Invest in a set of reusable cable sleeves that can bundle multiple wires together while still allowing individual cables to branch out where needed. These sleeves often come with zippers or Velcro closures, making it easy to add or remove cables without cutting zip ties and using new ones, thus making your setup more sustainable and adaptable to changes.
• Use color-coded folders to visually distinguish different types of paperwork, making it easier to sort and file documents. For instance, blue for financial documents, red for personal correspondence, and green for medical records. This visual system can speed up the sorting process and reduce the time spent searching for documents later.

Digitize Documents to Decrease Mess

To reduce paper accumulation, the authors recommend scanning and digitizing documents, saving them securely in cloud-based platforms like Dropbox or Evernote. They encourage readers to register for electronic statements and utilize options such as Catalog Choice and Earth Class Mail to reduce unwanted mail and streamline document management.

Practical Tips

• Host a "scan party" with friends or family where everyone brings a stack of papers they need to digitize. By doing it together, you can share scanners or scanning apps, help each other with tech issues, and make the process more enjoyable. It's also an opportunity to discuss and share best practices for organizing and maintaining digital files.
• Use a two-step verification process for accessing your cloud storage, such as a password combined with a biometric check or a mobile authenticator app, to add an extra layer of security to your digital documents. This approach minimizes the risk of unauthorized access, giving you peace of mind that your sensitive information is well-protected.
• Encourage your friends and family to switch to electronic statements by sharing the benefits and your own positive experience. Offer to help them set up their online accounts or show them how to navigate their service provider's website. This peer influence can multiply the impact of reducing paper usage beyond your own actions.
• Create a 'No Junk Mail' sign for your mailbox to deter unsolicited mail. While not legally binding, a clear sign can discourage local businesses and leaflet distributors from adding to your pile of unwanted mail. This can be a simple DIY project using recycled materials to further emphasize your commitment to reducing waste.
• Implement a 'one in, one out' policy for your physical documents. Whenever you add a new digital file to your system, discard or shred the corresponding physical document if it's no longer legally required to be kept in hard copy. This habit ensures that your physical storage doesn't grow unnecessarily and mirrors the organization of your digital files.

The Garage and the Basement

Scott and Davenport acknowledge the garage and basement as spaces often used for storage, recommending a strategic approach to prevent these areas from becoming cluttered dumping grounds.

Sort Items, Utilize Overhead Areas and Clear Containers

The authors recommend sorting through items stored in the garage and basement, discarding anything no longer needed or utilized. To maximize space, they suggest utilizing vertical space with shelving units and organizing items in clear plastic tubs for easy identification.

Practical Tips

• Use a digital inventory app to track what you have in your garage and basement. Download an inventory management app on your smartphone and catalog each item you decide to keep. Include details like the item's location, condition, and last use date. This not only helps you keep track of your possessions but also makes it easier to find things when you need them, reducing the chance of buying duplicates or losing items.
• Use stackable, modular furniture pieces that can be reconfigured as shelving units to fit different spaces and needs.
• Transform the way you use your space by installing shelves at different heights specifically designed to accommodate your clear plastic tubs. Place the tubs you access most frequently at eye level and the less frequently needed ones higher up or down low. This spatial organization maximizes efficiency and makes use of vertical space, keeping your living or work areas clutter-free.

Donate or Dispose of Unused Items

Davenport and Scott emphasize the importance of being ruthless in discarding or donating items kept in the garage and basement. They advise applying the "three-year rule" – if you haven't used an item in three years, it's time to let it go. This approach ensures you're only storing things that are truly necessary or valuable.

Context

• Selling unused items can provide a financial benefit, while donating can offer potential tax deductions.
• This approach is part of a broader minimalist philosophy that values experiences and functionality over material possessions.
• By removing unused items, you can maximize available space, making it easier to access and organize the items you do use regularly.

Arrange and Store Items in a Decluttered Space

After tidying up your living space, Scott and Davenport provide guidance on creating an organized and functional system for storing remaining items.

Implement Storage Solutions Like Shelves, Bins, and Organizers

The authors recommend utilizing storage solutions like shelves, bins, and organizers for drawers to maintain an organized and clutter-free environment. This includes clear plastic containers for keeping seasonal items, drawer dividers for organizing clothes and linens, and shelf organizers for maximizing cabinet space in the kitchen and bathroom.

Label and Group Items for Ease of Use

Davenport and Scott emphasize the importance of labeling containers and grouping like objects for easy retrieval. This guarantees that you can quickly locate what you need without creating unnecessary clutter. For example, label bins for "winter clothes," "holiday decorations," or "camping gear," and group related items together so everything you require is in one place.

Practical Tips

• Create an index card system to keep track of what's inside opaque containers. On an index card, write down the contents of each container and assign a unique number to it. Tape the card to the outside of the box or keep a master index in a visible location. This way, you can reference the index to find out where your items are without having to open every container.
• Use color-coded stickers on items to categorize them by frequency of use. By assigning a specific color to items you use daily, another for weekly use, and a different one for rarely used items, you can visually prioritize your search when you need something. For example, put a green sticker on items like your keys or wallet, a yellow sticker on items like a blender or a board game, and a red sticker on items you seldom use, like holiday decorations or specialized tools.

System For Storing Seasonal, Infrequent, and Sentimental Items

The authors offer strategies for storing belongings you don't use regularly, such as seasonal decorations, out-of-season clothes, and sentimental belongings. They recommend designating specific areas for these belongings, using labeled bins for clear identification and optimizing storage space.

Utilize Vertical, Under-Bed, and Off-Site Storage When Necessary

Davenport and Scott suggest maximizing storage space by utilizing vertical space in closets, under-bed bins, and even off-site storage units for items you rarely access. This lets you maintain a clutter-free house while still retaining belongings you prefer not to discard.

Practical Tips

• You can create a closet corner shelf to make use of awkward spaces. By measuring the corner dimensions and installing custom shelving, you turn an underutilized area into a multi-level storage solution for small items or accessories.
• Create a shared storage space with friends or neighbors to split the cost and maximize the use of the unit. Each person can have an allotted space or shelf, and you can set up a shared online calendar to schedule access times. This collaborative approach not only saves money but also encourages a community of sharing and reduces overall consumption by pooling resources.
• Develop a five-minute nightly reset routine to maintain a clutter-free environment. Dedicate five minutes before bed to walk through your living space and put any misplaced items back in their designated spots. This could involve folding blankets, stacking books back on the shelf, or clearing the coffee table. The consistent effort will help prevent clutter from building up over time.
• Create a 'joy inventory' of your possessions by listing items that make you happy and why they do so. This helps you understand the value of each item beyond its functionality. For example, a coffee mug might be on your list not because it's just a vessel for coffee, but because it was a gift from a friend and reminds you of a special occasion.

Decluttering With Family Members, Including Kids

Scott and Davenport emphasize the importance of involving family members in the act of decluttering, fostering a shared responsibility for maintaining an organized home and teaching valuable life lessons.

Involve Children to Teach Responsibility and Minimize Clutter

The authors recommend engaging children in age-appropriate decluttering tasks, such as sorting toys, choosing things to donate, and putting away belongings. This instills a feeling of responsibility for their belongings and demonstrates to them why organization is important.

Limit the Belongings in Kids' Rooms

The authors advocate for restricting the quantity of toys and belongings in children's rooms. They recommend a toy rotation system, storing most toys while keeping only a few accessible. This cuts down on clutter, promotes creativity, and fosters a greater appreciation for the playthings they have.

Practical Tips

• Use a rotation strategy for books and educational materials. Rather than having all books available at once, rotate them on a monthly basis to align with different themes or educational goals. This keeps the room organized and ensures that the materials are being used to their full educational potential. For example, if you're focusing on nature one month, you can have books and materials related to animals, plants, and the environment. The next month, you might switch to space, with books and activities about stars, planets, and astronauts.
• Implement a "one in, one out" rule where for every new item that comes into their room, they must choose an older item to donate or pass on. This teaches children about maintaining balance and prevents accumulation of clutter. For example, if they receive a new toy, they would need to pick an old toy that they're ready to part with.
• Create an art swap where children create artwork and then trade with family members or friends. This not only encourages the creation of art but also exposes them to different styles and perspectives, which can inspire new ideas and approaches in their own creative endeavors.
• Start a toy story journal where you document the adventures and stories you or your children create with each toy. This not only serves as a creative outlet but also adds sentimental value to the toys, making them more than just objects. Over time, you'll have a collection of stories that can be revisited, fostering a deeper connection and appreciation for the toys that starred in them.

Partner for Consistent Decluttering Approach

The authors stress the necessity of maintaining a unified approach to decluttering with your partner or spouse. This involves agreeing on shared spaces, storage systems, and decluttering guidelines to ensure a cohesive and clutter-free home.

Gain Buy-in and Communicate Decluttering Benefits

The authors recommend communicating the benefits of decluttering to your partner or spouse, motivating them to join in, and ensuring a shared understanding of the goals. By working together and appreciating the positive impact of decluttering, you can foster a more harmonious and tidier home.

Context

• By organizing and knowing what you own, you can avoid unnecessary purchases and save money.
• A well-organized and clutter-free home can be more appealing to potential buyers, potentially increasing its market value.
• Recognize and respect any sentimental value attached to items, which can affect decisions and require compromise or special handling.
• Working together can help address potential conflicts over space and belongings, fostering compromise and understanding.
• A clutter-free environment can stimulate creativity by providing a clean slate for new ideas and reducing mental overload.
• A clean environment can enhance concentration and efficiency, making it easier to complete tasks without distractions.

Strategies For Managing Digital and Paper Clutter

Scott and Davenport acknowledge the growing challenges of digital clutter, offering strategies to organize digital documents and minimize paper accumulation.

Implement Digital Organization to Reduce Physical Document Storage

The authors encourage readers to create a systematic digital filing system, arranging files based on content rather than type. They recommend utilizing cloud-based platforms like Dropbox or Google Drive to save and safeguard files, making them accessible from any device.

Scan and Digitize Documents to Minimize Clutter

To further reduce paper piles, Scott and Davenport advocate for scanning and digitizing documents, keeping them digitally and discarding or shredding the physical copies.

Practical Tips

• Automate the digitization process with app-based workflows. Utilize apps like IFTTT or Zapier to create workflows that automatically upload scanned documents to specific cloud folders. For example, you can set up a workflow that sends scanned receipts from your email directly to a 'Receipts' folder in your cloud storage, ensuring consistent organization without manual intervention.
• Host a community shred event to promote secure information disposal habits among friends and neighbors. Partner with a local shredding company to provide services at a discounted rate or for free. This encourages a collective effort in protecting personal information and raises awareness about the importance of document disposal.

Limit Mail: Unsubscribe From Unwanted Emails and Catalogs

To reduce paper influx, the authors recommend unsubscribing from unwanted emails and catalogs. They suggest using services such as Catalog Choice for streamlining the procedure.

Develop a Daily Routine for Managing Paperwork

Scott and Davenport emphasize the need to establish a daily routine for managing paperwork. This involves sorting incoming mail immediately, filing or acting on documents promptly, and designating a particular place for filing archived paperwork.

Practical Tips

• Designate a "paperwork power hour" in your daily schedule where you focus solely on organizing and managing paperwork. This uninterrupted time block encourages you to handle paperwork consistently, preventing pile-ups. For example, set aside 9-10 AM every day as your paperwork power hour, during which you sort, file, and respond to any paper-related tasks.
• Set a daily reminder on your phone or digital calendar for a specific time each day to sort mail. This habit ensures you won't let mail pile up and will handle it in a timely manner. You could choose a time when you're usually free, such as after dinner, to make it part of your daily routine.
• Implement a "one-touch" rule where you handle each document only once before making a decision. When you first touch a document, decide then and there what to do with it. If it's an invitation, RSVP immediately and then file or discard the invite. If it's a form that needs filling out, do it on the spot and mail it back or file it as completed. This prevents the buildup of unprocessed paperwork and saves time in the long run.
• Transform a seldom-used closet into a dedicated filing space by installing hanging file systems and labeling shelves according to document categories. This way, you create a physical archive that's out of your daily sight but organized for easy access when needed. For example, convert a coat closet near your home office into your archive center, with sections for tax documents, personal records, and household maintenance records.