Buzz
Photo: Juanma Hache/Getty ImagesWhen two collectors tie the knot and share their home with two cats, two dogs, and two children, chaos ensues. However, we’ve made significant strides in tackling our clutter by experimenting with some of Mytour’s top decluttering strategies to identify what truly works—and what doesn’t. (Spoiler: No single method suits everyone!)
We gave the two-box decluttering method a try—following our attempts with the 15-minute clean and the room-by-room decluttering routine. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the process, along with tips that might just help you finally conquer your clutter.
How Two-Box Decluttering Works
As the name suggests, the two-box approach involves just two containers (or bags!): One for items you plan to keep and another for those you’re ready to donate or throw away. While sorting through your clutter, you place each item into its designated box. Once a box is full or you’ve finished organizing, you start storing the items from the "keep" box. For the donate/discard box, you can either dispose of the items immediately (brave move!) or, if you’re hesitant, set a one-month deadline to finalize their fate.
Benefits of Two-Box Decluttering
If you’re searching for a straightforward and simplified decluttering strategy, this method might be perfect for you. Here’s what stood out to us:
You can make decisions faster
Essentially, the two-box decluttering method simplifies decisions to a straightforward yes or no—making it easy to swiftly sort through a large stack of papers and a crammed basement storage shelf.
Making a lot of progress can help keep you motivated
Since this method allows you to clear clutter rapidly (I finished organizing the shelf in just 20 minutes), you experience the rewarding sense of accomplishment that comes with completing a task. This motivated me to tackle another project—my under-sink storage—instead of stopping for the day.
Downsides to the Two-Box Method
While effective, the two-box decluttering approach does have a few limitations that might make you reconsider using it.
It's a little too easy for the donate stuff to stick around
One of the most common decluttering pitfalls is deciding to part with items, only to have them linger in your home. In our case, donations meant for charity have sat in the entryway for months before finally being removed. This time, I aim to expedite the process—though currently, the entryway remains cluttered with these items.
We procrastinated on the keep box, too
While we promptly returned items to their designated spaces, the keep box contents meant for other rooms stayed untouched. (In fact, a keep box might be sitting nearby as I type this.) Since the boxes themselves don’t feel as messy as the items inside, I lack the urgency to address them—a clear issue.
The keep box took a while to empty
Since the items needed to be returned to various locations around the house, we spent considerable time walking back and forth to put them in their proper places—great for increasing our step count, but not ideal for managing our time efficiently.
Make the Two-Box Declutter Work for You
The two-box method certainly earns its place among effective decluttering strategies, but implementing a few tips can help you maximize its effectiveness.
Add a garbage bag to the mix
While it may seem obvious, keeping a trash bag nearby allows you to immediately discard items that are clearly garbage, avoiding the unnecessary step of mixing them with donations.
Have a plan for your giveaway items
Schedule a garage sale, arrange a charity pickup, set a deadline for posting items in your local Buy Nothing group, or place them directly in your car for a quick drop-off at a nearby donation center. Letting these items sit around your home is far too tempting.
Consider a "phase two" for your keep items
Instead of aimlessly wandering through your house with a mix of tools, books, and miscellaneous items, sort the keep box by room. This approach will help you work more efficiently and return items to their proper places much quicker.
