Everyone has their own way of organising, but certain habits are a big no-no for professional declutterers — from stockpiling cleaning products to tackling a full house purge in one go.
Even the most beautifully styled homes can fall victim to clutter if the foundations of good organisation aren't in place. To help you get your home in order, we asked professional organisers to share the things they never do — and what you should do instead to keep every room feeling functional and clutter-free.
Keep reading to find out their advice:
1. Never...keep old cleaning products
According to Henrique Conceicao, manager at Total Clean, keeping old cleaning products 'just in case' will not solve your clutter issue.
'One thing I always advise clients to stop doing is hanging on to cleaning products they never use. Most people have half-empty bottles of stain removers or sprays that didn't work for them,' Henrique tells House Beautiful UK.
'If a product didn't work the first time or you haven't touched it in six months, you’re not going to use it. And expired or poorly stored cleaning products can lose their effectiveness or even damage surfaces.'
Instead, Henrique recommends editing your cleaning cupboard like you would a wardrobe, grouping each product by use. 'That way, you can grab what you need without rummaging. Not only does it save space, but it makes cleaning feel less overwhelming. That means you're far more likely to actually do it.'
2. Never...try to purge everything at once
Decluttering is no easy feat, which is why the experts suggest focusing on one small area and tackling each room in manageable, bite-sized chunks.
'Trying to declutter your entire home in one big session can feel productive at first, but it often becomes overwhelming and unsustainable,' says Max Wilson, co-founder of Pocket Storage and a leading expert in home organisation. 'You're more likely to make real, lasting progress by breaking it down into smaller, manageable tasks and building it into your regular routine.'
Elaine Penhaul, director of Lemon and Lime Interiors, agrees: 'Taking small steps can make a big difference in transforming your space into a more organised and peaceful environment. Focus on specific items, such as books, clothes, or kitchen gadgets. This method allows you to see how much of each item you have and makes it easier to decide what to keep.'
3. Never...buy storage bins before decluttering
Another thing professional organisers never do is buy storage bins before actually decluttering.
'This is perhaps the most widespread and counterproductive "hack" I encounter,' says Max. 'Buying beautiful containers before decluttering is just organising your clutter. It's an aesthetic band-aid that doesn't solve the underlying problem — having too much stuff in the first place.'
4. Never...skip the rule of 'one in and one out'
Have you tried the 'one in, one out' decluttering rule? This simple method involves removing one item from your home for every new thing you buy to prevent clutter buildup. Skipping this rule is a big mistake that the pro organisers often see.
'Every time something goes into the loft, something else should come out, whether it’s for donation, resale, or recycling,' says home organisation expert and BBC's Sort Your Life Out decluttering pro, Dilly Carter. 'It keeps the cycle moving and stops your storage space from becoming a graveyard of forgotten stuff. Think of your loft like your wardrobe; it should evolve with your life, not get stuck in it.'
5. Never...avoid the daily five-minute reset
For Rachel Stringer from Raleigh Realty, one habit you should never skip is resetting your home at the end of the day.
'A daily five-minute reset prevents small disorder from snowballing into weekend marathons. An evening sweep, shoes to the rack, and toys to the basket, preserves earlier effort and lowers stress when a last-minute showing request arrives,' explains Rachel.
6. Never...put decluttering second
According to Gerrit Jan Reinders, a storage organisation expert and CEO and founder of BOXIE24, organising before going through what you have and getting rid of what no longer serves you is a mistake.
'You just end up with neatly arranged clutter,' Gerrit says of his pet peeve. 'The important first step is always to sort through everything, and then consider storage solutions.'
7. Never...keep sentimental items that don't serve a purpose
Most of us have probably kept items well beyond their shelf life because of sentimental value, but Gerrit says we shouldn't be hanging onto anything solely for its memories if it doesn't serve you.
'There is a wide difference between keepsakes and clutter disguised as sentiment,' he says.
8. Never...skip cleaning the washing machine
The workhorse of a family household, washing machines are something many of us forget to clean. 'The awkward shape of the washing machine drawer, seal, and drum means that we often avoid cleaning them,' says Dr Jonathan Kirby, cleaning expert at Safeguard Europe.
'What looks like mould collecting inside your washing machine seal is often soap residue from detergent or fabric softener, although mould can grow if left uncleaned for long periods.'
To clean yours quickly and easily, Jonathan suggests wiping the drum with a bleach-based mould cleaner (especially around the paddles and seal), rinsing immediately with warm water, and leaving the door open to dry for an hour. Then, place 100-150 ml of white wine vinegar into a 10-12 L drum before running it on a long cycle again to clear a limescale-filled washing machine.
9. Never...buy plastic drawer organisers
Handy, yes, but plastic organisers are something professional organiser Sara Bereika hates to see.
'I can certainly see their appeal; they provide a quick and inexpensive fix when organising items and keeping them accessible. However, they rarely hold up to the task,' she explains, citing their poor durability as the main issue.
'I would much rather see a client spend a few extra pounds to buy a wood or rattan solution, or avoid the quick fix altogether, and consider the bigger picture when organising.'
10. Never...keep useless kitchen gadgets
'Kitchen clutter is another common trap,' says Keely Smith, lead interior designer at JD Elite Interiors. 'A lot of gadgets get used once and then gather dust. If it hasn’t been used in the past season, it's not pulling its weight. Clear out the waffle makers, yogurt machines, and the fourth cutting board if they're not part of your weekly routine.'
11. Never...think the junk drawer is organisation
Junk drawers can exist anywhere from the kitchen to the hallway. But when did you last give yours a proper declutter?
'Junk drawers are often the result of putting off small decisions,' says Max. 'Without regular checks, they quickly fill up with unused or unnecessary items. Instead of becoming a long-term dumping ground, a junk drawer should be a short-term space for items you plan to sort or store properly soon.'
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10 books to inspire you to clean, declutter and organise your home
Vermilion Spark Joy: An Illustrated Guide to the Japanese Art of Tidying
Marie Kondo's Spark Joy is an in-depth, illustrated, room-by-room guide to decluttering and organising your home. If something sparks joy, keep it, if not, expel it from your home. This book covers every room in the house, as well as a wide range of items in different categories, including clothes, photographs, paperwork, books, cutlery, cosmetics, shoes, bags, wallets and valuables.
The Home Edit: Conquering the clutter with style
Famous home organisers to the stars, Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin give you a masterclass in paring down your belongings in every room, arranging them in an aesthetically pleasing and easy-to-find way (they love a label), and maintaining the system so you don't need another do-over in six months. You can also watch their show, Get Organised with The Home Edit, on Netflix.
The Organised Mum Method: Transform your home in 30 minutes a day
If you need to revolutionise your home routine, try the popular The Organised Mum Method (TOMM). The concept by Gemma Bray promises to help you 'clean smarter not harder' by spending 30 minutes cleaning a different room each day of the week – and it'll spare you your weekends, too.
Making Space, Clutter Free: The Last Book On Decluttering You'll Ever Need
Tracy McCubbin delves into the root of why many of us struggle to keep our homes decluttered. McCubbin's powerful answer lies in the 7 Emotional Clutter Blocks – obstacles she will help readers overcome in order to declutter their homes and improve their overall wellbeing.
How to Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind: Dealing with Your House's Dirty Little Secrets
Dana K. White explains, clearly and without delusions, what it takes to get – and keep – your home under control. Her strategies include where to start to tame the chaos, which habits deserve your focus and will make the most impact, and practical tips you can implement immediately to declutter a huge amount of stuff with minimal drama.
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying: The Japanese Art
Marie Kondo's successful KonMari Method will help to keep your home clear and clutter-free permanently. If you follow the inspirational step-by-step, you're promised to see results.
The Easy Life: Quick ways to clean and manage your home all year round
Manage your home with Lynsey Crombie, Instagram sensation and TV's Queen of Clean, as she creates a system of speed-cleaning challenges, organisational habits and natural cleaners. Lynsey aims to share what she's learned to help you take the stress out of everyday life, so you can focus on what brings you joy.
Kyle Books Declutter: The get-real guide to creating calm from chaos
Described as bursting with practical and relatable advice, this book injects enthusiasm, energy and humour into the essential and often mundane task of decluttering. Debora Robertson also helps you declutter your mind for an easier and more efficient life.
Banish Clutter Forever: How the Toothbrush Principle Will Change Your Life
Banish Clutter Forever's Toothbrush Principle is a simple approach to decluttering your home – whether you live in a huge house or a small flat. It will show you how to: organise according to the unconscious blueprint that naturally tidy people have, know what to throw away with confidence, set up your wardrobe so you get much more use out of the clothes you have, and work from home productively in a clear, designated space.
Hinch Yourself Happy: All The Best Cleaning Tips To Shine Your Sink And Soothe Your Soul
Stay on top of your cleaning routine with Sophie Hinchliffe – better known Mrs Hinch – and her book, Hinch Yourself Happy. Mrs Hinch shares how cleaning can soothe anxiety and stress, plus step-by-step guides to hinching your home.
