How to Clear Clutter from Your Home or Garage

Clear the clutter first, organise second

When a home, garage, spare room or workshop gets full, it is tempting to move everything straight into storage. A better approach is to declutter first, then store only the items you actually want to keep.

This makes your container easier to use, helps keep costs down and stops you paying to store things you no longer need.

Step 1: Set up four sorting areas

Before you start, create four clear piles or zones:

• Keep at home — items you use often and want nearby.
• Store — seasonal, occasional or overflow items worth keeping.
• Donate or sell — good items you no longer need.
• Recycle or dispose of — broken, damaged or unwanted items.

Try to sort by category rather than room. For example, put all tools together, all Christmas decorations together, all camping gear together and all paperwork together. This makes it much easier to see duplicates and avoid storing the same type of thing in several boxes.

Step 2: Be practical about what is worth keeping

A useful rule is to ask:

• Have I used this in the last year?
• Is it expensive or difficult to replace?
• Is it genuinely sentimental?
• Will I realistically need it again?
• Is it in good enough condition to keep?

For sentimental items, consider setting a limit such as one clearly labelled memory box. This gives you a boundary without forcing you to throw away things that matter.

Step 3: Choose sensible boxes and containers

For most household items, clear plastic boxes with secure lids are a good option. They help protect items from dust, make contents easier to see and stack more neatly than loose bags or open cardboard boxes.

Good options include:

• Clear lidded plastic boxes for household items, toys, decorations and clothing.
• Smaller compartment boxes for screws, fixings, cables and small tools.
• Heavy-duty crates for tougher items, garage equipment and heavier goods.
• Wardrobe boxes or garment bags for clothing that needs more care.
• Archive boxes for documents, but avoid making them too heavy.

Avoid using bin bags for anything you want to keep long term. They tear easily, stack poorly and are hard to identify once stored.

Step 4: Pack by category

Group similar items together. For example:

• Christmas decorations
• Camping and outdoor equipment
• Garden tools and seasonal items
• Children’s toys and keepsakes
• Small tools and DIY items
• Business stock or packaging
• Files and paperwork
• Sports equipment
• Spare kitchenware

This makes it much easier to find items later, especially if you are using your storage container during a house move or renovation.

Step 5: Label every box clearly

A label that says “garage stuff” will not help much six months later. Be specific.

Better labels might be:

• “Christmas lights and tree decorations”
• “Camping stove, lanterns and tent pegs”
• “Ben’s old school books and keepsakes”
• “Kitchen glasses and mugs”
• “Accounts paperwork 2024–2026”

Put labels on at least two sides of each box, not just the lid. Once boxes are stacked, lid labels are often hidden.

A simple numbering system also works well:

Box 1 — Christmas decorations
Box 2 — Camping gear
Box 3 — Tools and fixings
Box 4 — Kitchen overflow

Keep the list on your phone so you do not need to open every box to find one item.

Step 6: Prepare items before storage

Before moving items into a container:

• Clean and dry garden tools, bikes and outdoor equipment.
• Empty fuel from petrol tools where appropriate.
• Make sure fridges, freezers and appliances are clean, dry and stored with doors slightly open.
• Wash and fully dry clothing, bedding and soft furnishings.
• Wrap furniture corners and protect polished surfaces.
• Use mattress covers and sofa covers for soft furnishings.

Moisture is usually caused by items going into storage damp, wet or poorly packed, so drying items properly first is important.

Step 7: Load your storage container neatly

A good container layout saves time later.

Try to:

• Put heavy boxes at the bottom.
• Keep fragile items higher up.
• Store frequently needed items near the door.
• Leave a narrow walkway if you may need access during storage.
• Keep related items together.
• Avoid stacking boxes too high if they may crush.
• Use shelving if you plan to access items often.

For garage or business storage, shelving can be very useful. It keeps boxes off the floor, makes stock easier to find and stops the container becoming a pile of mixed items.

Step 8: What not to store loosely

Some items need extra care. Photos, important paperwork, electronics, soft fabrics and delicate furniture should be packed in sealed boxes or protective covers.

For valuable, delicate or temperature-sensitive items, think carefully before long-term storage in any non-climate-controlled space. Use strong sealed boxes, avoid damp items and consider whether the item would be better kept indoors.

Step 9: Keep it organised long term

Once your home or garage is clear, try to avoid filling it again straight away.

A simple rule is:

If something new comes in, something old should either be used, donated, sold, recycled or moved to its proper storage place.

It also helps to review your storage container every few months. If a box has not been opened for a long time and it has no real sentimental or practical value, it may be time to let it go.

Need help choosing a storage size?

If you are clearing a garage, spare room, workshop or business area, you can send us a quick list or photo by WhatsApp and we’ll help you work out which storage option is likely to suit.