Rachael Ray: Rachael's Daytime Talkshow

Getting Your Clutter Under Control

Aired on: November 17, 2010

Are you too embarrassed to have company over for Thanksgiving because every table and chair is piled high with stuff? When Eileen, 33, asks for help to get her family out from under their mountains of clutter in time for the holidays, Rachael enlists the help of organizational expert Peter Walsh to ease her worries. "I think people build this up in their heads," he tells her. "That it's a big deal, but once you actually have a method, once you have a bit of a push and once you get everyone on board in the house, you can nail this stuff much quicker than you could possibly imagine."

Peter helps Eileen using the "FAST" technique: Fix a time: set a timer to complete an area of your house in a set amount of time. Then sort your stuff into three categories: Anything that belongs somewhere else or to someone else; Stuff you haven't used in 12 months; and Trash. "A little organization will help you take the stress out of the holidays," Peter explains. "If you clear the clutter out of the space you’ll be amazed at what flows in terms of spirit and good will and excitement over the holidays. It will transform your family celebration."

Peter shares two more tips that families should keep in mind this season. "Number one, consider investing in experiences, not more stuff. So take your kids to a museum, take your partner out to dinner, go skydiving together ... it's about experiences, not stuff. And number two, think of your washing machine: If you put clothes in the machine, let it run for 20 minutes, then turn it off and leave it for a week, you'll have a stinky, smelly mess. You don’t let it finish the cycle. It's the same with your house - finish the cycle! Whatever you start, complete. Don’t drop it - put it away. If you open it, close it. If you start something, finish it and then you will never end up using that horrible “L” word: Later. Never use the word later, get it done now and you’ll stay on top of things."

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