BlogDecluttering first, cleaning second—that’s the secret. When surfaces are clear, every wipe, sweep, and mop actually sticks. Use this simple, repeatable system to cut mess, reclaim space, and finish with a quick shine.
The 4D Declutter Method (Use Everywhere)
Dump → Decide → Designate → Dispose
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Dump: Pull items out of hiding (drawers, shelves, baskets) to see the real volume.
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Decide: Keep / Donate / Recycle / Bin. Be honest: when did you last use it?
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Designate: Give every kept item a clear “home” (label if shared).
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Dispose: Move out donations and rubbish the same day.
Internal link: Short on time? Book a one-off Deep Cleaning after decluttering to reset everything.
Room-by-Room Game Plan
1) Entryway (10–15 mins)
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Empty console bowl, sort mail, rehome keys.
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Shoe rack: keep current season only; box the rest.
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Wipe door handles and switch plates; shake mats.
Link: Keep high-traffic floors fresh with Regular House Cleaning.
2) Living Room (15–25 mins)
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Basket pass for toys, chargers, remotes.
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Edit décor: remove duplicates; keep “one hero per surface.”
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Dust high → low; wipe coffee table and media unit.
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Quick vacuum of traffic paths; fluff cushions.
Link: Allergens or pet hair? Add Carpet Cleaning.
3) Kitchen (25–35 mins)
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Counter sweep: put away appliances you rarely use.
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Fridge edit: toss expired, group by zones (dairy/veg/sauces).
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Pantry: front-face labels; decant common staples for space.
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Wipe splashback, benches, handles; finish with sink polish.
Links:
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Moving soon? End of Lease Cleaning
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See our Bond Cleaning Checklist for agent-ready standards.
4) Bedrooms (15–25 mins each)
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Wardrobe rule: if it doesn’t fit/you didn’t wear it this season—donate.
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Drawer T-folds for tees; use small boxes for socks/undies.
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Clear bedsides; keep only lamp + one personal item.
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Change linen weekly/fortnightly; quick under-bed vacuum.
5) Bathroom (15–20 mins)
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Toss empty bottles; keep one of each type in the shower.
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Drawer caddy: daily items front, occasional items back.
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Squeegee glass after showers; polish taps and mirror.
Link: Need hotel-finish? Book Deep Cleaning.
6) Home Office (10–15 mins)
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File or recycle paper piles; go paperless where possible.
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Cable clips/box to tame cords.
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Microfibre screens; disinfect keyboard and mouse.
Commercial space too? See Commercial Cleaning.
20-Minute “Shine” After Decluttering
Once each room is edited, do a fast clean to lock in the progress:
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Dust: top → bottom (fans, shelves, skirtings).
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Surfaces: all-purpose cleaner; glass last for streak-free shine.
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High-touch: handles, switches, remotes.
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Floors: vacuum; mop hard floors lightly (don’t over-wet timber/laminate).
Link: Prefer a maintenance plan? Regular House Cleaning keeps everything at baseline.
Keep It That Way: Simple Maintenance Habits
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One-In, One-Out: when a new item arrives, one item leaves.
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5-Minute Night Reset: clear sink, counters, hotspots.
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Laundry Days: set 2 fixed days to stop pile-ups.
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Quarterly Purge: one shelf/drawer per week = clutter-free year-round.
Minimal Kit (No Product Overwhelm)
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Colour-coded microfibres (kitchen/bath/general/glass)
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All-purpose cleaner + glass cleaner
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Non-scratch scrub pads + squeegee
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Vacuum with crevice tool; flat/spray mop
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Baking soda + white vinegar for odours and light lifts
Printable Checklist (Copy/Save)
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Entryway: shoes, mail, mat, handles
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Living: basket pass, décor edit, dust, floors
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Kitchen: counters clear, fridge/pantry edit, wipe, sink polish
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Bedrooms: wardrobe edit, drawers fold, bedsides clear, linen, under-bed
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Bathroom: bottles edit, caddy sort, squeegee, polish, floor
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Office: paper file, cables tame, screens/keyboard clean
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Shine: dust → surfaces → high-touch → floors
Optional download page: Declutter & Shine Checklist (Printable)
FAQs
Should I declutter before cleaning?
Yes. Clear spaces make cleaning faster and the results last longer.
How do I avoid re-cluttering?
Set homes for items, label shared zones, and do a 5-minute nightly reset.
What if I’m overwhelmed?
Start with one drawer or one surface. Momentum beats perfection—then book a Deep Cleaning for a full reset.
