What Our Expert Thinks About TikTok's 3-Step Decluttering Routine
Unless you're a strict minimalist, which maybe we all need to be, there seems to always be extra stuff lying around the house. Things we don't want or need anymore lurk at every corner. Decluttering is the answer to sorting through this excess. The content creator behind the TikTok account @home_reimagined might have a convenient solution. She posted a three-step guide on how to declutter your home and tidy up at the end of each day. In an exclusive House Digest interview, we spoke to Jon Cronin, founder and owner of Glimmer Cleaning Co., to get his take on whether this three-step method was effective. The cleaning expert shared that it was a good idea in theory, but wasn't the most practical strategy for decluttering your home.
On TikTok, @home_reimagined first recommended leaving a box in a common area and gradually filling it with items you no longer want in your home and donating the box once it's filled. Step two is similar: You'll leave a bag in your closet, filling it with unwanted clothes, and donating it when it's filled. Finally, step three is to designate 20 minutes at the end of each day to tidy up and put everything back in place. However, Cronin shared that there is a more effective method that can work better for various lifestyles.
Leaving a donation bin around can create more clutter
"When it comes to managing clutter with boxes or bags in common spaces, I see the value, but it could end up feeling like clutter itself," Jon Cronin exclusively tells House Digest. It is a great idea to have a container for unwanted items, but leaving it out until it's packed can seem as if you're hoarding clutter. Who knows how long the donation box in the hallway or trash bag in your closet will take to fill up. Then, once it's donated, you're back to having an empty container sitting on the floor. Further, you might not have any space to spare for storing the donation container. It can potentially obstruct your closet or common area, as you're designating precious storage or floor space to items you don't want. Not to mention, a junk pile isn't visually appealing.
"Instead, try a 'seasonal refresh' approach," Cronin suggests. "Every season, take dedicated time to sift through your stuff. Ask yourself: Does it still spark joy (as Marie Kondo would ask)?" You can align this decluttering with seasonal deep cleanings to create an effective cleaning schedule. You can also turn your junk pile into a chunk of change by selling the items on online marketplaces or at a yard sale. The same method applies to your closet. "For clothes, do a 'wardrobe refresh' each season to assess if they fit your style," he adds. "It's all about mindful decluttering without keeping bins around indefinitely."
An end-of-day cleanup isn't always practical
Finally, there's the step three cleanup. The TikTok recommends that quick and easy decluttering tasks like wiping counters, sweeping, or straightening curtains should be done at the end of each day. It's fine if you can execute it, but it is also okay if you can't. "As for the nightly 'reset,' committing to 20 minutes might not fit every home,"Jon Cronin exclusively tells House Digest. It could easily take more than 20 minutes to clean depending on the size of your household. Cleaning right before bed might not be ideal for everyone's schedule either.
"A more practical idea? Try a 'continual clean-up' vibe," Cronin shares. "Encourage everyone to move items to their proper spots as they move throughout the house. Or assign zones for each person to maintain daily, making upkeep a breeze." So, return the remote to the side table after the movie is over, wash your dishes or load it in the dishwasher after you've eaten, and put your clothes in the proper spot after wearing them. With this method, you don't have to dedicate time in the evening to clean and you can enjoy a tidy house throughout the day.