The 'Didn't Know' Organization Hack That'll Help You Declutter Your Home

When trying to tidy your house or exert some control over your inventory, it seems that there are many strategies that work well for decluttering your home. Whether it's the 90/90 minimalist rule for items you haven't used regularly or the Marie Kondo method of only keeping things that "spark joy," there is no shortage of proposed tips that are touted as solutions to your clutter woes. However, if these tricks have not proven advantageous in the past or if you are interested in trying out a new approach to parting with unwanted items, take that as your hint to try the "didn't know" method of decluttering.

The "didn't know" approach is fairly self-explanatory. It goes something like this: if you've ever gone through a drawer or closet and stumbled upon an object that you didn't know you had, you should consider parting with it. Coined by "The Minimalists," the logic of this trick states that any item you weren't aware you owned could not have been providing you any benefit; therefore, it is as if you effectively did not even own the item. Realizing this should make it possible for you to say goodbye to these forgotten possessions without any guilt. Whether it's a kitchen gadget, a baby's toy, an old pair of shoes, or an unused purse, those things have been living rent-free in your home, taking up valuable space. You can manage your "didn't know" items once and for all by adding them to the donation pile or throwing them away if they are no longer useful to anyone else.

The "didn't know" rule can make the decluttering process go much faster, and the new knowledge can have the potential to overwhelm some individuals. Just think of how many things you probably aren't aware are in your possession. Before losing your composure, however, take a deep breath. There is no need to go rifling through every drawer or closet now to purge all of your unnecessary items. Just remember this approach when you're going about daily life. You can employ this new mindset when you're working in the garage or basement and you see something that you don't recall owning. The same goes if you're in the closet and find an old jacket you forgot you had, or if you're working in the kitchen and stumble upon a spatula or cheese grater that you truly don't remember purchasing.

This helpful tip works just as well with consumables — such as pantry items and personal care products — as it does with more permanent objects, like tools, furniture, and clothing. If you are in the habit of purchasing discounted cooking ingredients, snagging new hair styling products, or testing out makeup brands, you might have a treasure trove of items that have been quietly lingering in your cabinets or drawers, and some of them might not even be worth using anymore. Whenever you find something that you didn't know you had, simply put it aside into your donation box and enjoy the newfound space and decreased possessions. Remember that having a donation box will essentially help your house declutter itself. Add to it constantly and simply bring it to a donation facility when it's filled.