Decluttering Your Chicago Home: What to Toss (and What to Keep)

Between work, family, and trying to enjoy everything our city has to offer, keeping your Chicago apartment or home clutter-free can feel like a constant battle. If you’re short on time, a professional home cleaning can be a game-changer, but it all starts with a good declutter.

The Ultimate Decluttering Rule of Thumb

Here’s a simple but powerful guideline: If you haven’t used it in the last year, you probably don’t need it. This is especially true for items that take up a lot of physical and mental space.

Textbooks and Encyclopedias

Let’s talk about the big one. I’ve helped declutter so many homes where people went to university 20 or 30 years ago and still have every single textbook—books they have never referenced even once. And if you still have encyclopedias, it’s time to let them go.

In our digital age, this information is available instantly online. Freeing up that bookshelf space can make your entire living area feel larger and more organized. If the task feels overwhelming, that’s where deep cleaning help from a trusted Chicago cleaning company comes in.

How to Start Your Decluttering Project

Tackling a whole home can be daunting. Break it down into manageable steps to avoid burnout.

• Start Small: Choose one drawer, one shelf, or one closet. Success in a small area builds momentum.
• Use the Three-Box Method: Have boxes for “Keep,” “Donate,” and “Toss.” Be ruthless!
• Set a Timer: Even 15 minutes of decluttering can make a noticeable difference.

Once you’ve cleared the clutter, it’s the perfect time to schedule a cleaning to give your newly organized space a fresh, polished feel.

When to Call in the Pros

Sometimes, life gets too busy, or the project is just too big. There’s no shame in getting someone to clean my apartment! Whether you need a one-time reset or regular maintenance, cleaning services in Chicago are designed to fit your lifestyle.

Looking for fast cleaning services to get your guest room ready for visitors? Or do you need a comprehensive plan to clean your apartment from top to bottom? A reliable home cleaning service can handle it all.

I’m coming for your textbooks because I have decluttered so many people’s homes and they went to university like 20, 30 years ago and they still have all the textbooks that they’ve never referenced even once. And if you still have encyclopedias,