One Simple Mindset Will Help You Maintain A Clutter-Free Home

There are so many different strategies for decluttering your home. You may have even tried several of these strategies, only to discover that they simply didn't work for you or weren't something you'd be able to keep up with. However, there's one rule that you might not have tried yet. This decluttering rule is really more of a mindset change. It's called the 1% rule, and it's something Instagram user madeline1f shared as having a positive impact on her ability to keep her home neat and clutter-free. The rule states that you can declutter your home by choosing something you can do to make each room just 1% better every time you walk into it.

This sounds relatively straightforward and far less overwhelming than an all-day decluttering event. But, can it actually be effective and is it a good mindset to have? We reached out to Jessica Litman, the founder of The Organized Mama to get her thoughts on whether this mindset change is worthwhile. During an exclusive interview with House Digest, she shared, "I think it's a great mindset because you have to start somewhere." Continue reading to find out what else Litman had to say about giving this decluttering rule a try and how it could have a positive impact on your home.

The 1% rule focuses on making small and manageable improvements to each room of your home every time you enter. The goal isn't to get rid of all the common items you might want to toss to declutter your home all at once. Rather, it is to make incremental changes that will have a cumulative effect over time. According to Jessica Litman, implementing this rule and changing your mindset to follow it could have a positive effect on your home's organization. She sees it as a great starting point. "And if you can maintain that level of organization then keep it going! If not, don't feel bad. This isn't the right decluttering strategy for you," she shared when speaking exclusively with House Digest.

Of course, as with any decluttering technique, there are pros and cons to trying the 1% rule. "It can be challenging to keep up with this idea if you live with multiple people," says Litman. While success is not guaranteed, especially when you're not the only one in the house, she also highlights what could happen if you can get your partner, kids, or roommates on board with the mindset change. "If you get everyone to do the same, then it would benefit the entire household." Just do the math. If there are four people living in your home, and each person aims to make a room look 1% better every time they enter it, the changes will add up quickly.

So, now that you have an idea about just what the 1% rule is, the next step is putting it into practice in your home to start reaping the benefits. When speaking exclusively with House Digest, Jessica Litman highlighted several relatively quick and easy tasks that could fall under this 1% rule. She says, "Clear counters while you are waiting for food to cook in [the] kitchen, pick up clothing off [the] floor in [the] bedroom, [and] make your bed." Some of Littman's other suggestions include running a squeegee over the glass doors after taking a shower, making sure your desk is cleaned before ending your workday, and taking a minute to wipe down the sink in the bathroom after washing your face. Some other 1% tasks you could try include bringing your empty water bottle out of your office and to the sink, throwing a laundry sheet in the trash can instead of leaving it on top of the dryer, and tossing obvious living room clutter on the spot — such as that pile of old magazines or board games that are missing pieces.

If the 1% rule doesn't turn out to be the best fit for you — or if you're looking for additional decluttering strategies to use alongside it — Litman suggests having clear expectations for what each room in your home should look before you head to bed for the night. She explains, "Giving each room a specific "closing" will help the spaces feel clutter-free every morning. This way you can live in the space throughout the day but feel like you tidied up every night."