The 7 Worst Types of Clutter and How to Get Rid of Them

Clearing clutter can be incredibly difficult, but identifying the specific types of clutter that plague your home or office can make conquering chaos feel more manageable. Here are the 7 worst types of clutter, along with tips to help banish each one for good:

Paper Clutter

Magazines and newspapers that pile up
Mail you keep “just in case”
Receipts, bills and documents

Solution: Designate a paperless day each month to shred or recycle unnecessary paper. Scan important documents and switch to paperless billing where possible.

Textile Clutter

Unmatched socks
Piles of laundry
Out-of-season clothing

Solution: Go through every drawer, closet and surface and purge anything you haven’t worn in a year. Implement a “one-in, one-out” rule for new clothes.

Electronic Clutter

Old cell phones and chargers
Cords and cables
Outdated electronics

Solution: Unplug any electronics you don’t use regularly and consolidate all cords into labeled bins. Consider recycling or donating old gadgets.

Sentimental Clutter

Letters and cards
Photos
Childhood souvenirs

Solution: Set time aside to go through each sentimental item and only keep the absolute best memories. Store remaining photos and documents digitally.

Hobby Clutter

Unfinished craft projects
Extra craft supplies
Old equipment

Solution: Limit the number of hobbies you actively involve yourself in. Donate or sell excess hobby equipment and supplies you know you won’t use again.

Kitchen Clutter

Expired condiments
Untouched appliances
Open food packages

Solution: Throw out anything expired and consolidate open food items into airtight containers. Purge any appliances or utensils you haven’t used in over a year.

Junk Drawer Clutter

Loose batteries
Old receipts
Mismatched tools

Solution: Empty the entire drawer and wipe it down. Organize similar items into labeled containers and only keep what you truly need or use regularly.

In conclusion, identifying specific clutter categories and creating a tailored plan for eliminating each type can transform an overwhelming clutter problem into a more manageable decluttering process. Start by tackling just one or two types of clutter at a time, then maintain the new clutter-free zones by implementing simple routines and habits moving forward.

FAQs about The 7 Worst Types of Clutter

What are the worst types of clutter?

Even folks with spotless homes can feel overwhelmed by clutter.
Physical clutter.
Digital clutter.
Mental clutter.
Emotional clutter.
Spiritual clutter.

What are the different types of clutter?

“There are four types of clutter: paper, digital, emotional, and spiritual,” she says. “Physical and digital clutter are symptoms of emotional and spiritual clutter.”

What are the 4 types of clutter?

Here is the 5 common types of clutter :
USEFUL CLUTTER. Defined as: Items that have use.
ABUNDANCE CLUTTER. Defined as: Multiples of one item.
HOMELESS CLUTTER. Defined as: Items that have no home.
ASPIRATIONAL CLUTTER. Defined as: Items with potential.
SENTIMENTAL CLUTTER. Defined as: Items with memories.

What is the root cause of clutter?

Clutter tends to multiply whenever you experience a life change or a stressful period. Life-altering experiences such as having a baby, changing a job, moving, or a financial setback can cause routine changes. Things tend to pile up because you assume you will get organized once things “settle down.”