Aaaaand... because it’s not on a horizontal surface, the cats can’t use it as bed and get their fur all over the once not dirty clothes lol. I like this idea. I think we can find some cute hooks at a discount store. Thank you for speaking to those of us that struggle with clutter and feel crazy for not being able to control it. Your container idea actually got my perpetual hoarding 17 year old to clear stuff out of her overstuffed closet. We downloaded your book on Audible and listen to it while attacking our messy house.
This makes SO much sense! We don't have a chair....the clothes just end up all over the floor and then they make their way back to the laundry pile when they really don't need to be there because we can't tell how dirty they are anymore or we've stepped all over them. Is it sad that I have to train myself to not be okay with having lots of things on the floor? I feel a bit ashamed of that but it is what it is. The decluttering question: "Where would I first look for this?" has always tripped me up because honestly, my house has been cluttered for so long that I know to look on the floor for things or that surface that is the catch all in each room. I like the idea of asking "If this space wasn't here, where would I put this?" because as you said, it trains the brain to look for things in a space that is more conducive to staying decluttered. Thank you so much for this video and all of the content you create; it has been the only thing keeping me from just giving in and becoming an actual hoarder.
Biggest light bulb moment: "Focus on decluttering, NOT problem solving!" I would get so hung up on the "where am I going to keep this" that I couldn't figure out why I wouldn't get very far. Duh! As always, timely and relevant. Thank you!!
So true for me. I keep moving things from place to place and just get frustrated with myself for never getting anywhere. Duh, less stuff = less to figure out where to put it.
I finally solved my problem (mostly) by clearing a shelf in the bathroom (where I change clothes because I have a dresser with all of my workout clothes, underclothes, socks, and nightgowns in there). My "not quite dirty" clothes go in a flat basket in that closet. I have clean socks, bras, and underwear in the bathroom chest of drawers for after my shower (as well as all of my workout clothing), then I usually choose clothes from that flat basket on an ordinary day at home. Less laundry and wear on my clothes, easy to get to and easy to put up. My laundry basket is on the shelf above my flat basket. At night, I just throw my clothes in the flat basket or laundry basket and grab a nightgown from the hook where I keep them. In the mornings, I've got everything I need within easy reach and out of sight. I've learned to keep my running shoes in there, too, on the closet floor. No going between bedroom and bathroom. Keeping everything together and easily accessible gives me one less excuse to avoid exercising. Everything I need is right there, neatly organized, easily accessible, and streamlined. This has been a ridiculously happiness hack in my morning and evening routines.
So funny that I bought a rack like this for our RV for towels, but we hang our “wear-again”clothes on it. Why did I never think that it’d work in our house too! Goodness…
I'm 62 and I have struggled every day of my life with overwhelming piles in my bedroom, my house. Your container concept has been eye opening. Thank you
I’ve just discovered you through Clutterbug and Minimal Mom - so glad I did! I love listening to you and your great solutions! Thank you for sharing! 🤗
I have a wooden 4-cube stack with either soft side boxes in them. These are my "in use" clothing overflow zones. One box for current workout clothes, one for daily clothes (& pjs, while im wearing the daily clothes), one for workshop clothes so I don't get workshop dirt on my day clothes. This has worked SO WELL for me, I've been able to maintain it for several years and keep my clothes off the floor. Every night, e everything on me goes either into the hamper or one of my boxes. It really works.
I just recently and by accident solved this problem for me too, but it is for my husband's clothes, mostly. I knew the clothes weren't dirty but they weren't mine so I kinda just ignored them, until company was coming. Lol. Here is how I solved the problem for us. I have a over- the-door hook that extends out a few inches from the closet door so what i do now is hang his shirts on a hanger (so won't wrinkle they are usually dress shirts) and stick them on that hook for a couple days to air out, works great because the door is usually open. Now I do that with my clothes too. And another thing I noticed for MY shirts is when I take them off, sometimes they are inside out and I will leave them that way, let them air out and put back into the closet. Then I know when I wear them again I have worn them before. It is very satisfying to have figured out a solution for this. Great video and so practical! TFS.
I hang up my clothes inside out if they've been worn once to be able to tell the difference between clean clean and mostly clean.💗 Your solution is awesome too😀
I just lost an important relationship because of my clutter. It's a wake up call. I feel like you are giving me the tools to fix this. I have to change.
My solution is a “wear again” drawer. I’m not a big fan of hooks -looks messy and cluttered to me. But I cleared enough space to have a drawer where I can pop not clean / not dirty clothes 😊
I've struggled with that too. I know some people who wash everything that has touched their body, but my mom would say they are washing clothes to pieces instead of wearing them out.
Your mom would be right. Plus, the shedding of fabric into treated water supply has become an issue for municipalities - it takes special filtration to clean the water of all that fine (often petrochemical) lint.
I love that you describe your whole process behind this change, just proving that there is a who lot more behind finding a solution, especially if you are not even recognizing a problem!!!!
Working from home makes things so much more visible. I love the container idea. I’m slowly getting rid of dusty clothes and dress shoes (haven’t worn them in that long) they’re in their way to maybe someone who would actually wear them. Or in this time sell them. I am so blessed that I can set free ‘really nice’ things that someone else might get use from. I have enough to dust.
This is fantastic! When I come home from work, I change into “lounge wear.” My work pants I usually wear about 2 times before washing but felt weird about putting them back into the dresser. Then I needed somewhere to put my lounge wear at the end of the day of being at home. This helps sooo much.
My solution is that I use a quilt rack that I found for $5 at the thrift store. Doesn't take much space and keeps the clothes from being wrinkled and they get aired out. If it fills up, the older go in the laundry, because I'm not wearing them right away.
Me too! I fold the clothes that don’t go into the laundry hamper and put them on top of the quilt rack. In the morning, I exchange the bra for a fresh one and get dressed in the rest and whatever else is needed. I rarely collect more than one outfit’s worth. This works because I’m retired and it almost always jeans or shorts and a t shirt.
Great idea. I just looked at the over-the-door hooks I currently have and realized there are way more coats and jackets and hoodies there than should be, and I should probably declutter them. (I have both your books on audio and it's like listening to my brain only with solutions. I didn't know there was anyone else out there like me. I just always wondered why I was so lazy and undisciplined when everyone else in the world could just see their problems and decide what needed to be done and then do it. With you, the minimal mom, Diane in Denmark and other Flylady people, determination, consistency and resilience, I might just pull myself out of this mess. I'm not a hoarder. I don't believe everything I have accumulated has value or will ever be of any use whatsoever. I truly just don't know what to do with it all and that literally paralyzes me. My solution has been to ignore it and pretend it doesn't exist. Not working for me very well anymore. I'm literally suffocating. So thank you for sharing your thought processes, your solutions and your journey. I also appreciate that you're putting it on RUclips. I'm a visual learner and pictures don't work for me. I have to see it done and hear the thought process that goes into it. I'm 59 years old and I don't want the rest of my life to look like this. I have a lot of living to do yet and I'd like it to feel peaceful and serene. I want to love where I live and feel good about inviting others into my home. I want my kids and grandkids to feel good here. So, again, thank you for your part in my journey.
Gently and with all due acknowledgement that I am a total stranger on the internet working with limited knowledge, I would suggest you consider and look into symptoms of ADD and ADHD in women. Much of what you describe lines up perfectly and it is chronically underdiagnosed in women and was almost not at all identified in women your age. I'm 34 and just figured out I have it last year because of the internet. I also soon realized that my mother, who has been living with me during the pandemic, does as well. She's 74. Working through it and understanding the impact on soooo many places in my life (clutter, chronicly being late, trouble sleeping, and forgetting to call my friends even though I really wanted to are a few things) continues to have a profound impact on how I see myself and my behavoir in the world.
@@stefaniewilkins8347 how did you proceed once diagnosed? I have often wondered about this for myself, having read years ago that in girls, ADD often looks like hyperfocusing. Now in my 50s, post menopausal, I have so little concentration I can keep my house clean by muscle memory, but I fail at all other tasks requiring concentration because I can't break them into the attendant parts.
@@stefaniewilkins8347 I've also looked into being on the aspergers syndrom spectum. I have a daughter and a grandson (from a different daughter) diagnosed with it. Hyper focus and being able to happily ignore clutter around me goes with this.
Living in an apartment with mostly pocket doors is a reason for not using this idea. Not wanting to drill holes and not having real doors! Luckily for me -- I have this type of door only in the bathroom-- which is a good place for me to use this idea ASAP! Great solution!
After really decluttering my clothes, I had room on the clothes rod to hang used, but clean clothes. I tied a ribbon around the rod, and everything to the right of the ribbon is wear I hang those clothes. On laundry day, I will check those and decide if I want to throw them in the wash. I also have back of the door hooks for robe and pajamas.
10:20 PREACH! Before, I bought an industrial strength garment rack to hold my added clothes and never thought I had too many clothes. Only when I began truly hating laundry and then making progress on minimalism did I realize your concept of the “clutter threshold” was for me, around 150 items of clothing or less since I’ll probably let go of more and under 30 pairs of shoes (around 20 right now) which is still quite a bit but for the first time, I’m feeling on top of them and not the other way around lol. No more chairs - I have space at the end of the rods for that as well as two drawers and life is sooo much better!
I have watched you for a while now and I have to brag a bit. I came to the rack idea on my own before I came across this video!!! Your suggestions have been so helpful, I'm glad I have found you and that you are still making content. You are such an encouraging lady ~ thank you.
Parents started this for me as a child, installing a set of hooks for in between clothes. Now I have over the door hooks on bedroom and bathroom doors. For me, it's not so much airing out clothing as it is not wanting to forget that clothes weren't clean but also not wanting the actual dirty clothes to make them smell. I rarely have more than 4 hooks occupied though. Pj's, a hoodie, yoga pants that are worn for multiple days, and a t shirt. I also clear this area when I do laundry.
Decades ago, I gave a name to the place clothes go when they have been worn, but aren't dirty. It could be the chair, the treadmill, a shelf in the closet... doesn't matter. That place is called PURGATORY.... not clean, but not really dirty; and have potential for future use without wasting precious water resources washing them again.
DH asked me to so I put hooks on his closet doors and STILL piled my clothes! When I decluttered some (dump zone) boxes in my bedroom, I needed a new solution. I added my own 4 hooks (jammies, hiking clothes, gardening shorts, jeans). Only a little effort to maintain but such a good, easy, pleasant way to do things! Thanks, Dana!
Yes!!!!! Sometimes I run out for 10 minutes of errands. I come home and put on "house clothes". I never feel right putting them away or hanging them so they often get thrown on the chair! Thank you!
OMG Dana! I’ve recently found your blog and can I just say, this is an absolute game changer for me. I can’t understand why I never thought of these hooks. My husband is so happy that my clothes aren’t just lying all over the bedroom. Mind blown. Thank you!
I had the same problem, but with a twist. 1. I didn't want to see the clothes in my bedroom. (2) I wanted to undress in the bathroom when I got home. (3) I wanted the option of hanging or laying lightly worn clothing flat (hanging items on a hook sometimes wrinkles my clothes). Soooo, I purchased a very pretty three rod towel hanger that also has a shelf on the bottom for other items. The rods are graduated, but still close enough for me to fold a pair of pants and a shirt and lay it across the top. I live alone, so this is a perfect solution in my home. And because I am a "butterfly," I can tell what is there all of the time; no out of sight out of mind in the clothes hamper (which I also use for items that need to be washed). Love you and your videos! You are my favorite decluttering guru!
Just a word of caution about over the door hooks on bedroom doors. . Make positively sure your bedrm door will still shut all the way til it latches. . . to keep unwanted company out of your room or in case of emergency, such as a home invasion, but the biggest reason is in case of fire that breaks out in another part of the house. Fire experts advise us to go in our room, shut the door, if available place a wet towel at the bottom crack of the door. It will give you a few moments more to get out thru the window safely. My point is the top of doors don't always have enough clearance for the two hooks that hang over the door causing it not to close all the way properly. Either cut out some notches for the two hooks or dont hang it there.
I’m so proud of myself, I came up with the hook idea few months ago: my husband kept putting his pijamas on top if the washing machine or into the window (the only flat surfaces in the bathroom). I bought the simplest hook at Ikea and placed it on the door, explained this is for his pijamas... game changer 👍 thanks Dana for reinforcing, I think I can build on this idea further while completing the TYHB course 😊
My mother taught me to hang up clothes to be aired out a few hours when you take them off, and put them back in the closet or drawer the next morning or that night before bed. She never had piles of clothes like I have had, because she inspected rooms a couple of times a day and knew what was in each. She was “The Inspector” My father & mother took great care of their beautiful home. Friends and neighbors always complimented my parents on how beautiful their home was, and all they really did was home maintenance by my father, and cleaning up routinely and after any meal, entertaining, or project ASAP every day.
I am a pile person and I have 3 areas in my house where I pile clothes 😮 I lost weight last year and bought new sizes at some nice thrift stores. Within the last 3 months I have gained back 20 pounds that I WILL lose again but I can’t ditch all the clothes yet! I like your over the door concept very much for my near future!! Love your channel TY ❤
@Dana I like your approachable tone and style in your 2nd book on Audible! I would like to suggest *my* method for dealing with clothes that are ‘worn but not dirty’ without the additional hooks/gizmos/buying more gadgets: I simply 1) flip my outfit inside out 2) drape it over my towel rod to air out 3) put it back the next time I put up a new outfit to air out - that way they simply cannot and do not pile up even on the towel rod because that’s a limited “container” so to speak. Thanks for all you have done in this field ♥️
Yes! I started doing something similar after I retired a couple of years ago. I donated most of my corporate work clothes (mostly suits) which cleared up lots of room in my small walk in closet. Naturally, I have around-the- house-and-yard clothes, and better clothes for running errands and seeing friends. Those better clothes were the ones I would put back on their hangers and plan to wear again before washing.. BUT, the only place I had to to hang them was IN THE CLOSET. Even though I would put them off to one side, I was forgetting that I should wear them again before reacting for perfectly clean ones. My solution was to mount a hook on the OUTSIDE of my closet door so that I would automatically reach for them the next time I needed them. 👍👍👍
For over 30 years I've used a coat rack for just this purpose. Takes up limited floor and visual space. The old brass ones with curved hooks are best because the hooks don't leave creases in the clothes. Alternate: take the hanger off the rod and put it on the rack, then either hang the gently worn item there to air out before putting it back on the rod OR the hangers collect and go to the laundry, ready to hang laundered clothes.
I have a coat rack too but it’s cluttered😂. So I’m going to get rid of it. All the clothes that I’ll reuse will be on hangers one side of the closet. Air them out by leaving one door open.
I've been binge watching your videos as I've finally found someone that I can relate to and offers real, workable solutions. Because of this I saw your mega master bedroom clear out recently. THIS IS THE SAME ROOM?? It has the same windows so I assume it is but it looks SO different, wow! Amazing transformation!
Ahhhh! I just recently started doing the hanger on the back of the door thing and it was a game changer. I bought the hooks for wet towels (which I would just drape over my bedroom door), but now I use it for towels AND what my friend refers to as “sort of clean but dirty” laundry. Before this, I had a separate laundry basket for my sort of clean but dirty clothes, but I hated the way it looked and it didn’t air my laundry out (that sounds gross. I’m not saying it was dirty enough to warrant a legit air out, but you know what I mean). Anyway, love your channel. I have been watching for years, and I always think “where would I look for this?” when I put things away thanks to you. ❤️
I fold my pants and neatly drape over the side of the laundry basket so if I want to wear again they're not "contaminated" by the dirty clothes or wrinkled too badly. Funny we all have our little systems for this unspoken necessity in life. I don't feel so weird now.
Mmm... I tried a capsule wardrobe over the winter, and "the chair" was not a problem for those two months. I actually sat on it to read a couple times! Having broken the capsule, I realize my chair has piled up again in a hurry. Time to do my spring capsule wardrobe!
Wow! So happy I found you! I searched what to do with “clirty” clothes because Im constantly asking myself the question of “what do I do with semi worn tops and stuff if I only wore it for a few hours? Then they sit in a pile or on the door hook on top of other clirty clothes 🤦🏽♀️ and still get “dusty or not so clean” and up being my last choice anyway.
Following this advice, i got rid of The Chair. I replaced it with a Dirty Clothes Basket. Guess where everything which doesn't end up on the rack of hooks or the repurposed ironing rack, ends up?
I keep a pretty basket with a lid over my dresser where I put the clothes that are used but still clean. That has really work for me as I do not like to see the clutter. I purposely only have a basket that can hold 2 outfits at most so it doesn't become a dumping ground
I am normal and I love you! You give simple explanations that clarify how decluttering and organizing work. I did all the things you recommend but I couldn't explain or tell you why until I started listening to you. (My husband is 'slob' and I am trying to be well educated to help him)
This is brilliant. My husband & I have talked about this & how to sort it out. I do feel silly because I HAVE one of those hooks & already use it for "my towel" that is still good for another shower. But there is plenty of room for one set of pj's & one set of clothes. That really should be enough (we'll see). It's like clothes leftovers - "use those up" before breaking out a clean outfit.
I’m a person with clothes and stuff 'in limbo' - lots. Sixty or 65 years ago my Nana Mabel used to call the floor (my place for that category of clothes and stuff) The Big Hook. I just remembered that and now with that in my forehead and your wonderful video, I’m going to try to right that awful way of living. Thank you a bunch!
This is genius. Had one of those racks sitting in my basement that I was decluttering. I paused your vid grabbed it and have used it for todays clothes. Love this!
I almost left after you talked about the idea, because I had got to the hooks on the back of the door idea myself. But I hadn't made that crucial step to... IT'S A DING-DANG CONTAINER! Oh my goodness, I don't know if you heard that? It was the sound of my head exploding. The more of your videos I watch, the more I realize that you're changing everything for me.
I just love how you reason and talk; how you excuse those who don't need this video to go ahead and go on. LOL Then you talk to the rest of us. This is not a big problem for me lately but I watched the whole video because I watch all your videos as I come across them; if I don't need the info maybe I can help my friends who might. THANKS!
We solved this when we needed to buy bedroom furniture - we bought a bedframe with drawers under the bed, 2 drawers on each side. I put worn but clean clothes in one and shoes in the other. No more clothes on the floor or hanging over stuff and no more shoes to kick around. I LOVE the container concept! This works for us because everything is right where we get dressed. Although... a wall unit with hooks would have been a lot cheaper! Lol! But I'm more like Cas (Clutterbug), in that I don't want to see my stuff everywhere. So hidden works for me. Unless it's paper, then I need to see it or it might as well be gone!
Helpful breakdown of thought and behaviour processes Dana. Thank you. I use a 4 hook set attached on inside of wardrobe door (that doesn't close fully so things get 'aired'). I either pick from there the next morning or I put items in main part of wardrobe at the start of the rail, spaced apart from fully clean items. Complements on your outfit. Really suits you! Colour and shape course years ago really helped me know what suits me (big relief). Best regards. Georgina (Ireland)
I just found you yesterday, I'm binging on your videos bc your personality is what I need. I suffer from the crippling type anxiety when my house is cluttered and lately I've been working on a system and it's gotten better, but your motto "less is better" helps me break through those anxious overwhelming thoughts. Thank you. Subscribed. I dont read or I'd buy ALL your books. Might by the audible version 😊
Oh my goodness!! This is amazing. I have one of those hooks on my bedroom door with all of our jackets, sweaters, etc. When I get home from work those things are getting hung up in the closet or tossed in my donation bag and I will now have a place for those clothes that I didn't know what to do with. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
I literally just did this this week! I was trying to follow a Dollar Tree DIY with a shower caddy oh, and another one with and over the door rack. Couldn't do it for my space for a variety of reasons so I had a shower caddy headed over the door hanging rack available. I combined them to make this over-the-door container to clear the chair! I've been using it about 4 days now and it is so freeing!
I love the “container “ theory, it has literally changed my perspective on decluttering. The other thing about it is to limit the number of containers I have. Most of my containers are canvas cubes. Each one is labeled. I keep purging them and most are only partially full. I’m so proud! Thank you for your advice. As far as the clothes that can be worn again, I really like your hook method, however, I have bifold doors that don’t lend themselves to hooks. Here is what I do. My ironing board is closed and in my closet, I hang whatever needs to air out on the exposed leg. Limit: one item. Then, I can decide to either put it into a “clean-but-not -clean storage drawer, or toss it into the hamper. My drawers are old sterilite drawers, that are repurposed and put into wooden cubes. Lots of air space around them. I have an extra one for just that purpose. Just like filing cabinets, the most recent ones go in the front, if something is left in the back, I know that it may need to be washed and donated. So far this method is working for me and my limited space. I have a friend who has a little nook in her room with a clothes rack, she uses it for the same purpose.
When I still had children at home, a problem with one of them was the pile of laundry on the floor. He just couldn’t grasp the concept of putting it in the hamper. But that was not the real problem, when sorting the clothes to put in the wash, I would come across clean, folded clothes, that he obviously took out of the drawer then changed his mind and tossed them into the laundry pile. I called them clear-ties. It was maddening! Today he is grown up and doing his own laundry, hopefully he has outgrown this habit.
“This is the limit.” Mind blown. I shall stop shoving 3 items on each hook. I feel like a kid who has learned it’s once ice cream per day, not 3! Thank you Dana.
Limit for one snack per day, that's an idea that could also work for me thanks! I know you didn't mean it that way, but I think I need that boundary too for snacking, maybe I can see myself like a container too, a very flexible one, but still.
Lol 😆 SO TRUE! IDK why so many of us struggle with "limits" so much!! 😂🤣😂 One step at a time, one change at a time. Progress not Perfection I watched this video in March 2021, it's now October 2021 and I still have my hooks, and I have been using them constantly. (...and my bed is no longer the "catch all" for these items!!!) THANK YOU DANA!!!
Thank you for making RUclips videos that I can binge watch when I am doing a can't sleep declutter. Just had a category of items that wouldn't fit in their drawer. I thought I need to add a small tote ...no, I'll just move them somewhere else. No. That's not where I would look for them first . Oh, right. I need to make this fit with in it's container in the place I would look for it first. Small worry at first, but just did it. Now the space is usable. I feel fine about items I let go. It's all good. Thank you Dana
I used this system for years and now I have 3 hangers, the one in the bathroom is for clothes that I use only at home, the others are in the bedroom and in the closet and I put clothes on one or the other based to their grade of dirtyness!
I have a designated drawer which I put clothes which have been worn but are not dirty. No other clothes are put there. Sometimes its the only drawer that is empty. Works a charm for us 😊
Not sure if hooks will work for me. I wear a lot of rayon tops and dresses, and I think hooks might leave a stretched-out spot in my clothes. Maybe if they have a tag I can use to slip onto the hook...
i have a hanger (in my bedroom) with 12 hooks that is "the contained chair" for years. yep, doesnt work with cluttered wardrobes. using mostly 3-5 hooks now.
Also get yourself some laundry basket, that also works and if it is not matching with your interior you can put it away maybe under your bed or something! I have that door hook already and also two laundry baskets.
Ah-maz-ing. AAAnd embarrassingly simple lol but so effective. Super helpful idea 👏🏼 and will keep me from arguing with people about their clothes being thrown to wear again.
I did have that chair. I finally had to realize that I was never going to be able to sit on it to put my shoes on anyway, so I got rid of mine too. The clothes that are worn, but not ready for the hamper, I have a small space in my closet (blocked off with a pink scarf) that I hang them, plus my jammies.
That's an awesome solution! Now I need to figure out what to do with the stuff I already have hanging on the hooks on the back of my bedroom door... ugh...
My pile was on top of my clothes hamper in my room. I really did think of this idea before because I have a hook on my closet door, but for some reason I didn’t keep doing it, LOL! Thanks for the reminder, I’m going to start doing this.
This is SO helpful!! I have implemented/am learning to implement this strategy, and it is making a HUGE difference! (And also, I found Dana via her audiobook, and listened to it on repeat for about 2 months straight. So good. If you haven't read/listened to it, please do!!)
So I had some hooks for this but it was a mess. I didn’t think of it as a container! That simple concept changed my approach and I cleared it out last night after watching this. Ta-da! You fixed me.
Yay!!!!! That is the same solution I discovered!!! I think it works great. Also, when I get to laundry day and the hooks are full, I do a second step. I hang up what I can wear again at the front of my closet and make myself wear it next. Or decide to put it in the laundry. I also use this to hang my bra. My husband has a set and does the same thing. I know to some it might seem weird but it is just so clever!!!
Thank you this explanation of how you made this work for you. I got my husband a rack look this a while ago which he uses for some things but he still leaves a lot of the floor. Your explanation of why this worked and how you got it to worked help me a lot.
Back in the 80s I got a little over the door laundry rack that I use for this. When not needed it can swing down and you don't notice it at all. It's also useful for drying things occasionally. It was inexpensive at the time and I've used it so much over the years. Love all your videos 🌈🌻
How did people get the point of not wanting "gently worn" clothes to not touch any other clothes? I've always, ALWAYS, put clothes back in a drawer or hung them in the closet when I take them off unless they are dirty enough to go in the laundry hamper. My husband, on the other hand, has some hooks and uses them until they are too full to take anymore, then dumps the whole pile in the laundry. Wasteful! But I can't get him to change. People are sure different. I enjoy hearing your explanations because it helps me understand my husband and daughter who is more like him than like me. Keep up the good work. (BTW, I was reading declutter books by Don Aslett back in the 1990s.)
I started rehanging my worn once office clothes that I thought smelled fine as I took them off, and have found that when I go back to wear them a week or 2 later, they are NOT fresh enough to re-wear. I must be extra sweaty or hormonal or something. I have now accepted that THESE are what the "light" wash cycle, or "casual" cycle is FOR on my washer. My "around the house" outfit after work tho, that gets worn 3-4 days in a row. It sits neatly folded on THE CHAIR from bed time to home-from-work time. On the day I decide it's done, it goes in the hamper too.
Once I get the concept that yes, I can wear the same unsoiled outer clothes more than one day - then putting them onto the hooks work. Cause that also gives me brain space to not have to think about selecting a new outfit everyday. I have all my clothing in the closet - I use my dresser for other things. I have hooks over the inside of the bathroom door - I can also put underwear with it to be more deliberate about this. This will keep other surfaces clear.
I just subscribed and love listening to you. We have the chair but my hubby won't let it go or use a hooks. Picking my battles. Since he does laundry I'll let him keep his chair.
Dana where have you been all my life!? 😂 I'm definitely a chair dumper. And while it drives me nuts I still do it. So using your container concept I thought a rolling clothes rack might help. I'm also considering the door hanger. Could this video come at a more opportune time? I don't think so. Thank you!!
I have two hooks behind my bedroom door (but on the wall) and have been using one for the current towel & nightgown, and the other for regular work/outdoor clothes that are still clean (apron, overalls, garden hat, sweater, scarf). I might add a third for what you mention, and for handwashables that need to hang a bit longer. I like the idea of only putting perfectly clean clothes into the closet.
I like this idea. I put my scarves on a hook like this on the back of the door. I hang my clothes on a hanger to air out on a hook on the door and I use a kmart hat stand for my husband to hang his gown and tracksuit pant eyc. Keeps it all tidy.
I started draping mine on the edge of my hamper that way I can wear it again if I want and on laundry day I just flip them into my hamper to get them full clean again (I usually get a few wears before then) The hooks on my door are for my robes and purses.
Dana you are always beautiful and particularly radiant in this one!! Also as always, I love your videos, love your system. I was thinking you could easily make your rules & guidelines /steps into a mind map or a flow chart if you wanted to. Like to include for visual Learners in your videos. Or not! Haha that's cool too. I thought it was a neat idea though, and maybe you've already done this I just don't know about it! I think I'll make a version for myself to tape inside the snacks cupboard. I was thinking something like 1. Do the dishes 2. 5 minute-timer pick up A. When returning something to its home, ask: Would I look for it here? -->No --move it to its home --> Yes --> does it being here cause chaos? Yes--> Where would be the next good place I would look for it that does not cause chaos? --> OK move it there Hmm. I forgot the rest of the tips but that's a start.
I have a pile folded on my nightstand but whenever I do laundry I remove everything from the pile and wash it. This way it never piles up and usually what is in the pile is just pants and a jacket that I wear several times a week so by laundry day it probably needs to be washed anyway.
I have a freestanding clothing rack that is my “not freshly washed but not dirty” hanging space and it works very well, the clothes don’t get musty that way
Hi Dana I really loved this video and it makes perfect sense! My only big bear is I have 4 his art the back of my door 2 of which are for dressing gowns and night clothes but you've definately given me an idea on how to solve the worn clothes. I have both of your books and love listening to them, would love if you made more videos x
We had a shoe bench, I had to get rid of because it created that habit. Also we have so many less coats so it’s easier for them to actually go in the closet
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Aaaaand... because it’s not on a horizontal surface, the cats can’t use it as bed and get their fur all over the once not dirty clothes lol. I like this idea. I think we can find some cute hooks at a discount store.
Thank you for speaking to those of us that struggle with clutter and feel crazy for not being able to control it. Your container idea actually got my perpetual hoarding 17 year old to clear stuff out of her overstuffed closet. We downloaded your book on Audible and listen to it while attacking our messy house.
1a
This makes SO much sense! We don't have a chair....the clothes just end up all over the floor and then they make their way back to the laundry pile when they really don't need to be there because we can't tell how dirty they are anymore or we've stepped all over them.
Is it sad that I have to train myself to not be okay with having lots of things on the floor? I feel a bit ashamed of that but it is what it is. The decluttering question: "Where would I first look for this?" has always tripped me up because honestly, my house has been cluttered for so long that I know to look on the floor for things or that surface that is the catch all in each room. I like the idea of asking "If this space wasn't here, where would I put this?" because as you said, it trains the brain to look for things in a space that is more conducive to staying decluttered. Thank you so much for this video and all of the content you create; it has been the only thing keeping me from just giving in and becoming an actual hoarder.
Biggest light bulb moment: "Focus on decluttering, NOT problem solving!" I would get so hung up on the "where am I going to keep this" that I couldn't figure out why I wouldn't get very far. Duh! As always, timely and relevant. Thank you!!
So true for me. I keep moving things from place to place and just get frustrated with myself for never getting anywhere. Duh, less stuff = less to figure out where to put it.
PEOPLE, believer her when she says that the "container concept" will change your life!! It changed mine FOR REAL!!
I finally solved my problem (mostly) by clearing a shelf in the bathroom (where I change clothes because I have a dresser with all of my workout clothes, underclothes, socks, and nightgowns in there). My "not quite dirty" clothes go in a flat basket in that closet. I have clean socks, bras, and underwear in the bathroom chest of drawers for after my shower (as well as all of my workout clothing), then I usually choose clothes from that flat basket on an ordinary day at home. Less laundry and wear on my clothes, easy to get to and easy to put up. My laundry basket is on the shelf above my flat basket. At night, I just throw my clothes in the flat basket or laundry basket and grab a nightgown from the hook where I keep them. In the mornings, I've got everything I need within easy reach and out of sight. I've learned to keep my running shoes in there, too, on the closet floor. No going between bedroom and bathroom. Keeping everything together and easily accessible gives me one less excuse to avoid exercising. Everything I need is right there, neatly organized, easily accessible, and streamlined. This has been a ridiculously happiness hack in my morning and evening routines.
So funny that I bought a rack like this for our RV for towels, but we hang our “wear-again”clothes on it. Why did I never think that it’d work in our house too! Goodness…
I'm 62 and I have struggled every day of my life with overwhelming piles in my bedroom, my house. Your container concept has been eye opening. Thank you
I’ve just discovered you through Clutterbug and Minimal Mom - so glad I did! I love listening to you and your great solutions! Thank you for sharing! 🤗
I have a wooden 4-cube stack with either soft side boxes in them. These are my "in use" clothing overflow zones. One box for current workout clothes, one for daily clothes (& pjs, while im wearing the daily clothes), one for workshop clothes so I don't get workshop dirt on my day clothes. This has worked SO WELL for me, I've been able to maintain it for several years and keep my clothes off the floor. Every night, e everything on me goes either into the hamper or one of my boxes. It really works.
I just recently and by accident solved this problem for me too, but it is for my husband's clothes, mostly. I knew the clothes weren't dirty but they weren't mine so I kinda just ignored them, until company was coming. Lol. Here is how I solved the problem for us. I have a over- the-door hook that extends out a few inches from the closet door so what i do now is hang his shirts on a hanger (so won't wrinkle they are usually dress shirts) and stick them on that hook for a couple days to air out, works great because the door is usually open. Now I do that with my clothes too. And another thing I noticed for MY shirts is when I take them off, sometimes they are inside out and I will leave them that way, let them air out and put back into the closet. Then I know when I wear them again I have worn them before. It is very satisfying to have figured out a solution for this. Great video and so practical! TFS.
Thank you for this! I don't have the space for hooks but my closet isn't packed to inside out is great! I'm going to do that!
Love the “inside out” idea for designating! Feel silly for not thinking of it myself. Thank you!
I hang up my clothes inside out if they've been worn once to be able to tell the difference between clean clean and mostly clean.💗
Your solution is awesome too😀
then you turn it back to wear it? you're better than me, I just wash it, I have no patience for that.
I just lost an important relationship because of my clutter. It's a wake up call. I feel like you are giving me the tools to fix this. I have to change.
My solution is a “wear again” drawer. I’m not a big fan of hooks -looks messy and cluttered to me. But I cleared enough space to have a drawer where I can pop not clean / not dirty clothes 😊
But then, how do they air out?
@@loosegear4345 😭😭😭, like my sporting clothes and shit🥺🥺
@@nemo_xs3200 if its sport clothrs you should wash them after 1 use.
@@slickcatricky7694 bro you clearly ain't livin the stink lifestyle us bluecollars live
Can't keep them in a drawer when you're living in a damp weather and they need to air out
Limbo clothes have had me stymied for awhile! Thank you for including your thought processes
I've struggled with that too. I know some people who wash everything that has touched their body, but my mom would say they are washing clothes to pieces instead of wearing them out.
Your mom would be right. Plus, the shedding of fabric into treated water supply has become an issue for municipalities - it takes special filtration to clean the water of all that fine (often petrochemical) lint.
Absolutely! Shes right
I love that you describe your whole process behind this change, just proving that there is a who lot more behind finding a solution, especially if you are not even recognizing a problem!!!!
Working from home makes things so much more visible. I love the container idea. I’m slowly getting rid of dusty clothes and dress shoes (haven’t worn them in that long) they’re in their way to maybe someone who would actually wear them. Or in this time sell them. I am so blessed that I can set free ‘really nice’ things that someone else might get use from. I have enough to dust.
This is fantastic! When I come home from work, I change into “lounge wear.” My work pants I usually wear about 2 times before washing but felt weird about putting them back into the dresser. Then I needed somewhere to put my lounge wear at the end of the day of being at home. This helps sooo much.
So funny,, I do the exact same thing.
I dont understand why anyone would thumbs down this video, it was very helpful!
They apparently don't have slob vision 😉🙂
It was probably ' the chairs' who disliked it ;)
It’s the people who wear their clothes once and then wash them again.
@@xxdrleek10 that was unnecessarily aggressive
@@xxdrleek10 ... hold your comment up to a mirror.
My solution is that I use a quilt rack that I found for $5 at the thrift store. Doesn't take much space and keeps the clothes from being wrinkled and they get aired out. If it fills up, the older go in the laundry, because I'm not wearing them right away.
I also do this.
I think I like this better. I wonder if it looks less messy than hooks?
@@itoshiibaka8267 definitely---as long as you don't pile several layers on it.
I like this idea, thanks for the suggestion
Me too! I fold the clothes that don’t go into the laundry hamper and put them on top of the quilt rack. In the morning, I exchange the bra for a fresh one and get dressed in the rest and whatever else is needed. I rarely collect more than one outfit’s worth. This works because I’m retired and it almost always jeans or shorts and a t shirt.
Great idea. I just looked at the over-the-door hooks I currently have and realized there are way more coats and jackets and hoodies there than should be, and I should probably declutter them. (I have both your books on audio and it's like listening to my brain only with solutions. I didn't know there was anyone else out there like me. I just always wondered why I was so lazy and undisciplined when everyone else in the world could just see their problems and decide what needed to be done and then do it. With you, the minimal mom, Diane in Denmark and other Flylady people, determination, consistency and resilience, I might just pull myself out of this mess. I'm not a hoarder. I don't believe everything I have accumulated has value or will ever be of any use whatsoever. I truly just don't know what to do with it all and that literally paralyzes me. My solution has been to ignore it and pretend it doesn't exist. Not working for me very well anymore. I'm literally suffocating. So thank you for sharing your thought processes, your solutions and your journey. I also appreciate that you're putting it on RUclips. I'm a visual learner and pictures don't work for me. I have to see it done and hear the thought process that goes into it. I'm 59 years old and I don't want the rest of my life to look like this. I have a lot of living to do yet and I'd like it to feel peaceful and serene. I want to love where I live and feel good about inviting others into my home. I want my kids and grandkids to feel good here. So, again, thank you for your part in my journey.
I wish you'd come to my house... but... aghhhh! Got to get busy.
Gently and with all due acknowledgement that I am a total stranger on the internet working with limited knowledge, I would suggest you consider and look into symptoms of ADD and ADHD in women. Much of what you describe lines up perfectly and it is chronically underdiagnosed in women and was almost not at all identified in women your age. I'm 34 and just figured out I have it last year because of the internet. I also soon realized that my mother, who has been living with me during the pandemic, does as well. She's 74. Working through it and understanding the impact on soooo many places in my life (clutter, chronicly being late, trouble sleeping, and forgetting to call my friends even though I really wanted to are a few things) continues to have a profound impact on how I see myself and my behavoir in the world.
@@stefaniewilkins8347 how did you proceed once diagnosed? I have often wondered about this for myself, having read years ago that in girls, ADD often looks like hyperfocusing. Now in my 50s, post menopausal, I have so little concentration I can keep my house clean by muscle memory, but I fail at all other tasks requiring concentration because I can't break them into the attendant parts.
@@stefaniewilkins8347 I've also looked into being on the aspergers syndrom spectum. I have a daughter and a grandson (from a different daughter) diagnosed with it. Hyper focus and being able to happily ignore clutter around me goes with this.
Believe me, you're not alone 💛! Hugs from Australia 🐨🐨 (50yo mum with late ADHD diagnosis) 🤗🤗
Living in an apartment with mostly pocket doors is a reason for not using this idea.
Not wanting to drill holes and not having real doors! Luckily for me -- I have this type of door only in the bathroom-- which is a good place for me to use this idea ASAP! Great solution!
After really decluttering my clothes, I had room on the clothes rod to hang used, but clean clothes. I tied a ribbon around the rod, and everything to the right of the ribbon is wear I hang those clothes. On laundry day, I will check those and decide if I want to throw them in the wash. I also have back of the door hooks for robe and pajamas.
10:20 PREACH! Before, I bought an industrial strength garment rack to hold my added clothes and never thought I had too many clothes. Only when I began truly hating laundry and then making progress on minimalism did I realize your concept of the “clutter threshold” was for me, around 150 items of clothing or less since I’ll probably let go of more and under 30 pairs of shoes (around 20 right now) which is still quite a bit but for the first time, I’m feeling on top of them and not the other way around lol.
No more chairs - I have space at the end of the rods for that as well as two drawers and life is sooo much better!
I have watched you for a while now and I have to brag a bit. I came to the rack idea on my own before I came across this video!!! Your suggestions have been so helpful, I'm glad I have found you and that you are still making content. You are such an encouraging lady ~ thank you.
Thank you for this. I thinned my closet out and wear my work pants twice before washing. This was great. I hope you do these videos more often.
I didn't know other people re-wear clothing too, so I never asked anyone. Thanks for this!
This was so helpful. I never thought of a hook or a hanger as a "container" before!
Parents started this for me as a child, installing a set of hooks for in between clothes. Now I have over the door hooks on bedroom and bathroom doors. For me, it's not so much airing out clothing as it is not wanting to forget that clothes weren't clean but also not wanting the actual dirty clothes to make them smell. I rarely have more than 4 hooks occupied though. Pj's, a hoodie, yoga pants that are worn for multiple days, and a t shirt. I also clear this area when I do laundry.
Decades ago, I gave a name to the place clothes go when they have been worn, but aren't dirty. It could be the chair, the treadmill, a shelf in the closet... doesn't matter. That place is called PURGATORY.... not clean, but not really dirty; and have potential for future use without wasting precious water resources washing them again.
😅😂🤣
We call it clothesatory.
I call it the Clothing Recycling Bin.
DH asked me to so I put hooks on his closet doors and STILL piled my clothes! When I decluttered some (dump zone) boxes in my bedroom, I needed a new solution. I added my own 4 hooks (jammies, hiking clothes, gardening shorts, jeans). Only a little effort to maintain but such a good, easy, pleasant way to do things! Thanks, Dana!
My husband wants a chair in our bedroom. I have resisted because I know it will be a dumping chair. This will help me stay strong.
Yes!!!!! Sometimes I run out for 10 minutes of errands. I come home and put on "house clothes". I never feel right putting them away or hanging them so they often get thrown on the chair! Thank you!
OMG Dana! I’ve recently found your blog and can I just say, this is an absolute game changer for me. I can’t understand why I never thought of these hooks. My husband is so happy that my clothes aren’t just lying all over the bedroom. Mind blown. Thank you!
I had the same problem, but with a twist. 1. I didn't want to see the clothes in my bedroom. (2) I wanted to undress in the bathroom when I got home. (3) I wanted the option of hanging or laying lightly worn clothing flat (hanging items on a hook sometimes wrinkles my clothes). Soooo, I purchased a very pretty three rod towel hanger that also has a shelf on the bottom for other items. The rods are graduated, but still close enough for me to fold a pair of pants and a shirt and lay it across the top. I live alone, so this is a perfect solution in my home. And because I am a "butterfly," I can tell what is there all of the time; no out of sight out of mind in the clothes hamper (which I also use for items that need to be washed). Love you and your videos! You are my favorite decluttering guru!
Just a word of caution about over the door hooks on bedroom doors. .
Make positively sure your bedrm door will still shut all the way til it latches. . . to keep unwanted company out of your room or in case of emergency, such as a home invasion, but the biggest reason is in case of fire that breaks out in another part of the house. Fire experts advise us to go in our room, shut the door, if available place a wet towel at the bottom crack of the door. It will give you a few moments more to get out thru the window safely.
My point is the top of doors don't always have enough clearance for the two hooks that hang over the door causing it not to close all the way properly. Either cut out some notches for the two hooks or dont hang it there.
I’m so proud of myself, I came up with the hook idea few months ago: my husband kept putting his pijamas on top if the washing machine or into the window (the only flat surfaces in the bathroom). I bought the simplest hook at Ikea and placed it on the door, explained this is for his pijamas... game changer 👍 thanks Dana for reinforcing, I think I can build on this idea further while completing the TYHB course 😊
My mother taught me to hang up clothes to be aired out a few hours when you take them off, and put them back in the closet or drawer the next morning or that night before bed. She never had piles of clothes like I have had, because she inspected rooms a couple of times a day and knew what was in each. She was “The Inspector” My father & mother took great care of their beautiful home. Friends and neighbors always complimented my parents on how beautiful their home was, and all they really did was home maintenance by my father, and cleaning up routinely and after any meal, entertaining, or project ASAP every day.
I am a pile person and I have 3 areas in my house where I pile clothes 😮 I lost weight last year and bought new sizes at some nice thrift stores. Within the last 3 months I have gained back 20 pounds that I WILL lose again but I can’t ditch all the clothes yet! I like your over the door concept very much for my near future!! Love your channel TY ❤
Considering everything to be a limited container is a great idea.
@Dana I like your approachable tone and style in your 2nd book on Audible! I would like to suggest *my* method for dealing with clothes that are ‘worn but not dirty’ without the additional hooks/gizmos/buying more gadgets:
I simply 1) flip my outfit inside out
2) drape it over my towel rod to air out
3) put it back the next time I put up a new outfit to air out - that way they simply cannot and do not pile up even on the towel rod because that’s a limited “container” so to speak.
Thanks for all you have done in this field ♥️
Yes! I started doing something similar after I retired a couple of years ago. I donated most of my corporate work clothes (mostly suits) which cleared up lots of room in my small walk in closet. Naturally, I have around-the- house-and-yard clothes, and better clothes for running errands and seeing friends. Those better clothes were the ones I would put back on their hangers and plan to wear again before washing.. BUT, the only place I had to to hang them was IN THE CLOSET. Even though I would put them off to one side, I was forgetting that I should wear them again before reacting for perfectly clean ones. My solution was to mount a hook on the OUTSIDE of my closet door so that I would automatically reach for them the next time I needed them. 👍👍👍
For over 30 years I've used a coat rack for just this purpose. Takes up limited floor and visual space. The old brass ones with curved hooks are best because the hooks don't leave creases in the clothes. Alternate: take the hanger off the rod and put it on the rack, then either hang the gently worn item there to air out before putting it back on the rod OR the hangers collect and go to the laundry, ready to hang laundered clothes.
I have a coat rack too but it’s cluttered😂. So I’m going to get rid of it. All the clothes that I’ll reuse will be on hangers one side of the closet. Air them out by leaving one door open.
I've been binge watching your videos as I've finally found someone that I can relate to and offers real, workable solutions. Because of this I saw your mega master bedroom clear out recently. THIS IS THE SAME ROOM?? It has the same windows so I assume it is but it looks SO different, wow! Amazing transformation!
Ahhhh! I just recently started doing the hanger on the back of the door thing and it was a game changer. I bought the hooks for wet towels (which I would just drape over my bedroom door), but now I use it for towels AND what my friend refers to as “sort of clean but dirty” laundry. Before this, I had a separate laundry basket for my sort of clean but dirty clothes, but I hated the way it looked and it didn’t air my laundry out (that sounds gross. I’m not saying it was dirty enough to warrant a legit air out, but you know what I mean). Anyway, love your channel. I have been watching for years, and I always think “where would
I look for this?” when I put things away thanks to you. ❤️
I fold my pants and neatly drape over the side of the laundry basket so if I want to wear again they're not "contaminated" by the dirty clothes or wrinkled too badly. Funny we all have our little systems for this unspoken necessity in life. I don't feel so weird now.
Mmm... I tried a capsule wardrobe over the winter, and "the chair" was not a problem for those two months. I actually sat on it to read a couple times! Having broken the capsule, I realize my chair has piled up again in a hurry. Time to do my spring capsule wardrobe!
I need to start looking at my containers and limiting what I am putting in and on them! Great video!!
Wow! So happy I found you! I searched what to do with “clirty” clothes because Im constantly asking myself the question of “what do I do with semi worn tops and stuff if I only wore it for a few hours?
Then they sit in a pile or on the door hook on top of other clirty clothes 🤦🏽♀️ and still get “dusty or not so clean” and up being my last choice anyway.
Following this advice, i got rid of The Chair. I replaced it with a Dirty Clothes Basket. Guess where everything which doesn't end up on the rack of hooks or the repurposed ironing rack, ends up?
I keep a pretty basket with a lid over my dresser where I put the clothes that are used but still clean. That has really work for me as I do not like to see the clutter. I purposely only have a basket that can hold 2 outfits at most so it doesn't become a dumping ground
I am normal and I love you! You give simple explanations that clarify how decluttering and organizing work. I did all the things you recommend but I couldn't explain or tell you why until I started listening to you. (My husband is 'slob' and I am trying to be well educated to help him)
This is brilliant. My husband & I have talked about this & how to sort it out. I do feel silly because I HAVE one of those hooks & already use it for "my towel" that is still good for another shower. But there is plenty of room for one set of pj's & one set of clothes. That really should be enough (we'll see). It's like clothes leftovers - "use those up" before breaking out a clean outfit.
I’m a person with clothes and stuff 'in limbo' - lots. Sixty or 65 years ago my Nana Mabel used to call the floor (my place for that category of clothes and stuff) The Big Hook. I just remembered that and now with that in my forehead and your wonderful video, I’m going to try to right that awful way of living. Thank you a bunch!
This is genius. Had one of those racks sitting in my basement that I was decluttering. I paused your vid grabbed it and have used it for todays clothes. Love this!
I almost left after you talked about the idea, because I had got to the hooks on the back of the door idea myself. But I hadn't made that crucial step to... IT'S A DING-DANG CONTAINER! Oh my goodness, I don't know if you heard that? It was the sound of my head exploding. The more of your videos I watch, the more I realize that you're changing everything for me.
I just love how you reason and talk; how you excuse those who don't need this video to go ahead and go on. LOL Then you talk to the rest of us. This is not a big problem for me lately but I watched the whole video because I watch all your videos as I come across them; if I don't need the info maybe I can help my friends who might. THANKS!
We solved this when we needed to buy bedroom furniture - we bought a bedframe with drawers under the bed, 2 drawers on each side. I put worn but clean clothes in one and shoes in the other. No more clothes on the floor or hanging over stuff and no more shoes to kick around. I LOVE the container concept! This works for us because everything is right where we get dressed. Although... a wall unit with hooks would have been a lot cheaper! Lol! But I'm more like Cas (Clutterbug), in that I don't want to see my stuff everywhere. So hidden works for me. Unless it's paper, then I need to see it or it might as well be gone!
Such a great solution!
Oh and I absolutely love you!
ClutterBug ❤️luv you !
Perfect for Bees & Butterflies!
Helpful breakdown of thought and behaviour processes Dana. Thank you.
I use a 4 hook set attached on inside of wardrobe door (that doesn't close fully so things get 'aired'). I either pick from there the next morning or I put items in main part of wardrobe at the start of the rail, spaced apart from fully clean items.
Complements on your outfit. Really suits you! Colour and shape course years ago really helped me know what suits me (big relief). Best regards. Georgina (Ireland)
I just found you yesterday, I'm binging on your videos bc your personality is what I need. I suffer from the crippling type anxiety when my house is cluttered and lately I've been working on a system and it's gotten better, but your motto "less is better" helps me break through those anxious overwhelming thoughts. Thank you. Subscribed. I dont read or I'd buy ALL your books. Might by the audible version 😊
Oh my goodness!! This is amazing. I have one of those hooks on my bedroom door with all of our jackets, sweaters, etc. When I get home from work those things are getting hung up in the closet or tossed in my donation bag and I will now have a place for those clothes that I didn't know what to do with. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
Did you get it done?
I literally just did this this week! I was trying to follow a Dollar Tree DIY with a shower caddy oh, and another one with and over the door rack. Couldn't do it for my space for a variety of reasons so I had a shower caddy headed over the door hanging rack available. I combined them to make this over-the-door container to clear the chair! I've been using it about 4 days now and it is so freeing!
I love the “container “ theory, it has literally changed my perspective on decluttering. The other thing about it is to limit the number of containers I have. Most of my containers are canvas cubes. Each one is labeled. I keep purging them and most are only partially full. I’m so proud! Thank you for your advice. As far as the clothes that can be worn again, I really like your hook method, however, I have bifold doors that don’t lend themselves to hooks. Here is what I do. My ironing board is closed and in my closet, I hang whatever needs to air out on the exposed leg. Limit: one item. Then, I can decide to either put it into a “clean-but-not -clean storage drawer, or toss it into the hamper. My drawers are old sterilite drawers, that are repurposed and put into wooden cubes. Lots of air space around them. I have an extra one for just that purpose. Just like filing cabinets, the most recent ones go in the front, if something is left in the back, I know that it may need to be washed and donated. So far this method is working for me and my limited space. I have a friend who has a little nook in her room with a clothes rack, she uses it for the same purpose.
When I still had children at home, a problem with one of them was the pile of laundry on the floor. He just couldn’t grasp the concept of putting it in the hamper. But that was not the real problem, when sorting the clothes to put in the wash, I would come across clean, folded clothes, that he obviously took out of the drawer then changed his mind and tossed them into the laundry pile. I called them clear-ties. It was maddening! Today he is grown up and doing his own laundry, hopefully he has outgrown this habit.
“This is the limit.” Mind blown.
I shall stop shoving 3 items on each hook.
I feel like a kid who has learned it’s once ice cream per day, not 3! Thank you Dana.
Limit for one snack per day, that's an idea that could also work for me thanks! I know you didn't mean it that way, but I think I need that boundary too for snacking, maybe I can see myself like a container too, a very flexible one, but still.
Lol 😆 SO TRUE! IDK why so many of us struggle with "limits" so much!! 😂🤣😂
One step at a time, one change at a time.
Progress not Perfection
I watched this video in March 2021, it's now October 2021 and I still have my hooks, and I have been using them constantly. (...and my bed is no longer the "catch all" for these items!!!)
THANK YOU DANA!!!
Thank you for making RUclips videos that I can binge watch when I am doing a can't sleep declutter. Just had a category of items that wouldn't fit in their drawer. I thought I need to add a small tote ...no, I'll just move them somewhere else. No. That's not where I would look for them first . Oh, right. I need to make this fit with in it's container in the place I would look for it first. Small worry at first, but just did it. Now the space is usable. I feel fine about items I let go. It's all good. Thank you Dana
I used this system for years and now I have 3 hangers, the one in the bathroom is for clothes that I use only at home, the others are in the bedroom and in the closet and I put clothes on one or the other based to their grade of dirtyness!
I appreciate her passion. It seems simple, but the epiphany of solutions for a neat environment is so exciting. 🎉
I have a designated drawer which I put clothes which have been worn but are not dirty. No other clothes are put there. Sometimes its the only drawer that is empty. Works a charm for us 😊
Not sure if hooks will work for me. I wear a lot of rayon tops and dresses, and I think hooks might leave a stretched-out spot in my clothes. Maybe if they have a tag I can use to slip onto the hook...
i have a hanger (in my bedroom) with 12 hooks that is "the contained chair" for years. yep, doesnt work with cluttered wardrobes. using mostly 3-5 hooks now.
Also get yourself some laundry basket, that also works and if it is not matching with your interior you can put it away maybe under your bed or something! I have that door hook already and also two laundry baskets.
With this video I also got rid of the chair, game changer. Love your videos got your books on audible too , so helpful thank u Dana
New subscriber here! You make so much sense! Thank you for what you do!! I'll be binging on all your videos tonight....back to cleaning my kitchen!
Ah-maz-ing. AAAnd embarrassingly simple lol but so effective. Super helpful idea 👏🏼 and will keep me from arguing with people about their clothes being thrown to wear again.
Hooray! Thank you for a great solution! I don't have the "chair" - I have the "treadmill." Now to decide if I want to declutter the treadmill...
I did have that chair. I finally had to realize that I was never going to be able to sit on it to put my shoes on anyway, so I got rid of mine too. The clothes that are worn, but not ready for the hamper, I have a small space in my closet (blocked off with a pink scarf) that I hang them, plus my jammies.
That's an awesome solution! Now I need to figure out what to do with the stuff I already have hanging on the hooks on the back of my bedroom door... ugh...
My pile was on top of my clothes hamper in my room. I really did think of this idea before because I have a hook on my closet door, but for some reason I didn’t keep doing it, LOL! Thanks for the reminder, I’m going to start doing this.
This is SO helpful!! I have implemented/am learning to implement this strategy, and it is making a HUGE difference! (And also, I found Dana via her audiobook, and listened to it on repeat for about 2 months straight. So good. If you haven't read/listened to it, please do!!)
So I had some hooks for this but it was a mess. I didn’t think of it as a container! That simple concept changed my approach and I cleared it out last night after watching this. Ta-da! You fixed me.
Yay!!!!! That is the same solution I discovered!!!
I think it works great. Also, when I get to laundry day and the hooks are full, I do a second step. I hang up what I can wear again at the front of my closet and make myself wear it next. Or decide to put it in the laundry. I also use this to hang my bra. My husband has a set and does the same thing.
I know to some it might seem weird but it is just so clever!!!
Thank you this explanation of how you made this work for you. I got my husband a rack look this a while ago which he uses for some things but he still leaves a lot of the floor. Your explanation of why this worked and how you got it to worked help me a lot.
Back in the 80s I got a little over the door laundry rack that I use for this. When not needed it can swing down and you don't notice it at all. It's also useful for drying things occasionally. It was inexpensive at the time and I've used it so much over the years. Love all your videos 🌈🌻
How did people get the point of not wanting "gently worn" clothes to not touch any other clothes? I've always, ALWAYS, put clothes back in a drawer or hung them in the closet when I take them off unless they are dirty enough to go in the laundry hamper. My husband, on the other hand, has some hooks and uses them until they are too full to take anymore, then dumps the whole pile in the laundry. Wasteful! But I can't get him to change. People are sure different. I enjoy hearing your explanations because it helps me understand my husband and daughter who is more like him than like me. Keep up the good work. (BTW, I was reading declutter books by Don Aslett back in the 1990s.)
I started rehanging my worn once office clothes that I thought smelled fine as I took them off, and have found that when I go back to wear them a week or 2 later, they are NOT fresh enough to re-wear. I must be extra sweaty or hormonal or something. I have now accepted that THESE are what the "light" wash cycle, or "casual" cycle is FOR on my washer. My "around the house" outfit after work tho, that gets worn 3-4 days in a row. It sits neatly folded on THE CHAIR from bed time to home-from-work time. On the day I decide it's done, it goes in the hamper too.
Once I get the concept that yes, I can wear the same unsoiled outer clothes more than one day - then putting them onto the hooks work. Cause that also gives me brain space to not have to think about selecting a new outfit everyday. I have all my clothing in the closet - I use my dresser for other things. I have hooks over the inside of the bathroom door - I can also put underwear with it to be more deliberate about this. This will keep other surfaces clear.
Yes little piles of clothes drives me nuts i am here to listen to the solution
I put them in the first drawer of my dresser. Clear surface : ) I have the place because of all the decluttering.
I just subscribed and love listening to you. We have the chair but my hubby won't let it go or use a hooks. Picking my battles. Since he does laundry I'll let him keep his chair.
Dana where have you been all my life!? 😂 I'm definitely a chair dumper. And while it drives me nuts I still do it. So using your container concept I thought a rolling clothes rack might help. I'm also considering the door hanger. Could this video come at a more opportune time? I don't think so. Thank you!!
When the hooks get full, I just grab ALL the clothes and put in wash--like a reset.
I have two hooks behind my bedroom door (but on the wall) and have been using one for the current towel & nightgown, and the other for regular work/outdoor clothes that are still clean (apron, overalls, garden hat, sweater, scarf). I might add a third for what you mention, and for handwashables that need to hang a bit longer. I like the idea of only putting perfectly clean clothes into the closet.
I have a designated corner of my closet for clothes I've worn. I've kept track of my clothes much better since I chose that spot.
I like this idea. I put my scarves on a hook like this on the back of the door. I hang my clothes on a hanger to air out on a hook on the door and I use a kmart hat stand for my husband to hang his gown and tracksuit pant eyc. Keeps it all tidy.
I started draping mine on the edge of my hamper that way I can wear it again if I want and on laundry day I just flip them into my hamper to get them full clean again (I usually get a few wears before then)
The hooks on my door are for my robes and purses.
Dana you are always beautiful and particularly radiant in this one!!
Also as always, I love your videos, love your system. I was thinking you could easily make your rules & guidelines /steps into a mind map or a flow chart if you wanted to. Like to include for visual Learners in your videos. Or not! Haha that's cool too. I thought it was a neat idea though, and maybe you've already done this I just don't know about it! I think I'll make a version for myself to tape inside the snacks cupboard.
I was thinking something like
1. Do the dishes
2. 5 minute-timer pick up
A. When returning something to its home, ask:
Would I look for it here?
-->No --move it to its home
--> Yes --> does it being here cause chaos?
Yes--> Where would be the next good place I would look for it that does not cause chaos? --> OK move it there
Hmm. I forgot the rest of the tips but that's a start.
Thank you for sharing your answer right away! RUclips videos that answer your question quickly are the best.
I have a pile folded on my nightstand but whenever I do laundry I remove everything from the pile and wash it. This way it never piles up and usually what is in the pile is just pants and a jacket that I wear several times a week so by laundry day it probably needs to be washed anyway.
I have a freestanding clothing rack that is my “not freshly washed but not dirty” hanging space and it works very well, the clothes don’t get musty that way
Yes, I was just thinking how to get things off my box in my bedroom. This will help. Thank you!
Hi Dana I really loved this video and it makes perfect sense! My only big bear is I have 4 his art the back of my door 2 of which are for dressing gowns and night clothes but you've definately given me an idea on how to solve the worn clothes. I have both of your books and love listening to them, would love if you made more videos x
We had a shoe bench, I had to get rid of because it created that habit. Also we have so many less coats so it’s easier for them to actually go in the closet