If you’re asking yourself how to start decluttering when overwhelmed, the best approach is to start small and focus on steady progress. A cluttered home can feel paralysing, but breaking the job into manageable steps makes it achievable. Rest assured that even the smallest actions will add up to a cleaner, calmer space.
Starting Small: Beating the Overwhelm
The first step is often the hardest, but small wins quickly build momentum.
Start with quick wins
- 10‑10 Method: pick 10 spots in your home and remove 10 items from each. It could be as easy as clearing old mail, mismatched containers, or shoes by the front door.
- 90/90 Rule: if you haven’t used an item in the past 90 days and won’t need it in the next 90, it’s a clear sign it’s ready to go.
- One‑Minute Rule: if a task takes less than a minute, such as putting a dish away or folding a blanket, do it straight away.
Focus on one area at a time
Avoid trying to tackle the whole house in one go. Start with a single drawer, a benchtop, or one corner of a room. Each small step builds momentum and reduces the feeling of overwhelm.
At Backyard Bins, we know how easy it is to feel stuck when rubbish piles up. That’s why we encourage our customers to focus on realistic, achievable steps. Fairness is essential to our company, and we do our best to accommodate all requests, including helping you get rid of waste in a way that is clean and green.
A Room-by-Room Decluttering Guide
Once you’ve built momentum, take on each space in a structured way. By breaking decluttering into rooms, you’ll avoid that feeling of being pulled in every direction. With small, focused efforts, you’ll see results quickly.
Entryway and living room
- Start by clearing surfaces and putting loose items into a “clutter box” to sort later.
- Use the Mount Vernon method: begin in one corner of the room and work your way around until every surface has been addressed.
- For daily upkeep, try a 5‑minute “mini reset” in the evening to keep things under control.
Kitchen
- Use the 10‑10 method on drawers, cupboards, and benches. Removing duplicates and unused gadgets makes a big difference.
- Keep a “donate” box nearby for containers or cookware you don’t need.
- Finish each meal with a quick clean‑up to prevent clutter from creeping back.
Bedroom
- Apply the 90/90 rule to clothing: if you haven’t worn it in 90 days and won’t in the next 90, it’s time to part with it.
- Keep three piles visible: keep, donate, and repair.
- Simplify your bedside tables and limit them to essentials only.
Home office or garage
- Batch similar tasks, like sorting documents in one sitting rather than piece by piece.
- Use storage tubs or boxes to group items before deciding what stays.
- For broken furniture, old equipment, or large volumes of rubbish, hiring a skip bin is the simplest and safest option.
Decluttering each room step by step makes the process less stressful and ensures nothing gets overlooked. Our customers appreciate a local business owner’s personal touch, and we know that creating order at home often starts with clearing out what no longer serves you.
Practical Waste Disposal Tips
Practical Waste Disposal TipsDecluttering is only half the job. The real difference comes from disposing of unwanted items properly so they don’t end up as another pile in the corner. Sorting waste into the right categories makes the process smoother and keeps it clean and green.
Sort into four simple groups
- Keep – items you use, love, or truly need.
- Donate or sell – clothing, furniture, and household goods in good condition.
- Recycle – plastics, cardboard, glass, and metals where possible.
- Skip bin – broken, bulky, or unusable items that are better off collected in one go.
Know what can and can’t go in a skip bin
Skip bins are perfect for most household clean‑ups, but some materials need special care. Everyday items like furniture, general rubbish, and garden waste are fine, but things like paints, batteries, and tyres require safe disposal. For guidance, see our articles on how to safely dispose of paints and solvents, car battery disposal, and tyre disposal.
Keep it environmentally conscious
When you load a Backyard Bin, we take responsibility for ensuring your rubbish is handled correctly. We place strong emphasis on recycling and reuse, so as little as possible ends up in landfill. Whether it’s construction debris, furniture, or e‑waste, we do our best to give materials a second life where possible.
Local help at your fingertips
If you’re unsure what to do with tricky items, we can help point you in the right direction, including Perth’s rubbish recycling centres. For bigger clean‑ups, a skip bin is often the most practical solution. Our customers appreciate that they can call us anytime to discuss their waste and get clear advice on the best option.
Building Long-Term Habits
Decluttering isn’t just a one‑time job. To keep your home organised and stress‑free, it helps to form simple habits that stop clutter from creeping back in.
Make decluttering part of your routine
- Try mini resets: spend 5–10 minutes each evening tidying key areas like the entryway or kitchen benches.
- Use the one in, one out rule: when a new item comes in, make sure an old one goes out.
- Keep a small “donate” box in the garage or laundry so you can add to it gradually.
Keep it simple and enjoyable
Decluttering doesn’t need to feel like a chore. Put on music, set a timer, or make it a family activity. Progress, not perfection, makes the difference.
Stay mindful of new clutter
Clutter often builds up from small purchases over time. Being intentional about what you bring into your home is just as important as clearing out what’s already there.
At Backyard Bins, we know the hardest part is often getting started. We focus on making waste removal as easy as possible, with clear communication and on‑time service. Our most valuable resource is our customers, and we do our best to accommodate all requests.
When you’re ready to clear more space, we’ll take care of the heavy lifting. Book a skip bin today or give us a call. Rest assured that we’ll provide a clean and green solution, backed by the personal service of a family‑run Perth business.
Backyard Bins Team
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