This Decluttering Method Actually Gives You Permission to Keep Old Items — Here’s the Twist

The whole point of decluttering is to say goodbye to as many old, worn or broken items as you can, keeping only what you truly use and need. I’m not afraid to admit that I regularly struggle with the decluttering process. Tossing certain items directly into the trash just feels like such a waste.

When I heard about reverse decluttering, the organization method where homeowners challenge themselves to find new uses for old items instead of just immediately tossing them, it felt like someone had read my mind. Sure, not every old item should be kept, but there are at least a few things lying around the house that can be repurposed with some creative problem solving.

I spoke to three professional organizers for their best reverse decluttering tips, including their favorite items to repurpose.

Reverse decluttering is much like upcycling, but with an organizational twist. Before you start decluttering, create a “Keep” box for any knick knacks or worn items you might be able to reuse or transform. Even if you don’t have a full solution for each item just yet, keep it until you’re done decluttering. Then, you can go through the box and put your creativity to the test.

“We, as professional organizers, understand that people have a sentimental connection to their belongings, so the process of helping people downsize has to be gentle but guided with expertise. If there are ways to repurpose items in your home to give them new life that will be functional for your lifestyle, we are big supporters,” says Christie Childers of Imagine It Done.

So what exactly should you keep? While nothing is necessarily off limits, it’s important for each old item to serve a new purpose. Here are a few favorites according to pro organizers.

✔️ Candles

Once all the wax is gone, candles can become canisters for cotton balls in the bathroom, desktop organization for paperclips in the office or even vases for small flower arrangements around the house.

“They could also be turned into other organizers to hold makeup, toothbrushes, pens or pencils, kitchen utensils or TV remotes,” says Hannah Goetz of Hannah Goetz Organizing.

✔️ Jars

You probably gain a few jars every time you grocery shop — why not find another purpose for them? “Any old glass jars can be used as decanting containers for food, dry goods, supplements or medicine. The options are endless,” says Devin VonderHaar of The Modern Minimalist.

✔️ Mismatched Socks

We’re not saying you should keep all of your old socks, but you could definitely repurpose a pair or two to create a couple handy shoe deodorizers. Fill up old cotton socks with baking soda, tie them with a rubber band and throw them in your shoes overnight. You can also add a few drops of your favorite essential oils for even more of a fresh scent.

✔️ Boxes

Debating what to do with that old box? VonderHaar suggests using it as a drawer divider in the kitchen, office or bathroom. “Some people also use old shoe boxes in a similar way,” she says.

Cereal boxes can also be repurposed: “You can cut off the tops, lie them on their sides, cover them with a fun peel-and-stick wallpaper and use them as paper filing trays or a mail sorter,” says Goetz.

✔️ Old Textiles

Before you go ahead and throw out that old t-shirt or towel, consider what’s on your cleaning to-do list. Pro organizers agree that old textiles can usually be repurposed into rags, even if that means cutting a larger towel into multiple smaller pieces.

✔️ Grocery Bags

Plastic or reusable grocery bags can come in handy when organizing a closet. Think smaller items like gloves, scarves and hats that don’t stay put on hangers. Throw them in an old tote, hook them onto a hanger and store them all together for easy access.

When you’re in the process of reverse decluttering, you might be tempted to repurpose items that no longer serve you. Keep these expert tips in mind to avoid creating more clutter.

• Don’t rush it: “Declutter everywhere first, and create a pile for items that may be reverse decluttered. Once you’ve edited down and gotten donations out of the house, then reassess the items to be reverse decluttered and make final decisions,” says VonderHaar.
• Keep function in mind: “Be intentional about what you choose to repurpose — if it just leads to more piles or ends up unused, it’s probably not worth keeping,” says Goetz.
• Be realistic: “Anything that is stained and soiled, has a long-lasting bad smell, no longer fits you and likely won’t again or is past a listed expiration date must go,” says Childers.

Source: Home Ideas - goodhousekeeping.com