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Clutter Rehab: 101 Tips and Tricks to Become an Organization Junkie and Love It!
Take control of your home by learning how to quickly cut out clutter, organize and tidy up every room with the most helpful tips from organization guru, Laura Wittman.
Streamline closets by donating rarely worn clothes, clear those paper piles off the desk with an e-filing system, eliminate grocery shopping stress by designing a menu plan for the week ahead. With simple projects like these, Clutter Rehab shows how to make even the most chaotic home a well-organized, relaxed environment. Featuring quick solutions that have been tested and approved by the loyal readers of the author's popular blog, Clutter Rehab offers a plan to tackle clutter and tidy every room.
And the author's light-hearted approach actually makes organizing fun and addictive! You will learn useful skills that help transform the kitchen into a chef's dream workspace and turn a cluttered bathroom into a relaxing oasis. There are fun projects and hints on how to get kids involved as well in keeping the home neat. Readers also learn how to stay on top of everyday chores to make the home run smoothly and quickly restore order when life gets hectic.
#10 Remember in Pictures. Take a snapshot of sentimental keepsakes you don’t use, then donate or even sell them for cash
#26 Be Grocery Smart.
Save fridge and pantry space—and money!—by buying only those items on your weekly meal planner
#32 Go Green.
Repurpose empty cardboard, plastic and glass containers into free organizers for all your stuff
#56 Childhood Archives.
Sort homework, artwork and other kid creations into easy-to-shelve, keep-forever binders
Streamline closets by donating rarely worn clothes, clear those paper piles off the desk with an e-filing system, eliminate grocery shopping stress by designing a menu plan for the week ahead. With simple projects like these, Clutter Rehab shows how to make even the most chaotic home a well-organized, relaxed environment. Featuring quick solutions that have been tested and approved by the loyal readers of the author's popular blog, Clutter Rehab offers a plan to tackle clutter and tidy every room.
And the author's light-hearted approach actually makes organizing fun and addictive! You will learn useful skills that help transform the kitchen into a chef's dream workspace and turn a cluttered bathroom into a relaxing oasis. There are fun projects and hints on how to get kids involved as well in keeping the home neat. Readers also learn how to stay on top of everyday chores to make the home run smoothly and quickly restore order when life gets hectic.
#10 Remember in Pictures. Take a snapshot of sentimental keepsakes you don’t use, then donate or even sell them for cash
#26 Be Grocery Smart.
Save fridge and pantry space—and money!—by buying only those items on your weekly meal planner
#32 Go Green.
Repurpose empty cardboard, plastic and glass containers into free organizers for all your stuff
#56 Childhood Archives.
Sort homework, artwork and other kid creations into easy-to-shelve, keep-forever binders
128 pages, Paperback
First published November 25, 2010
46 people are currently reading
378 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
December 18, 2011
I really wanted to like this book more than I did because I do enjoy reading Laura's website. I got a couple of new ideas from the book but most of the suggestions were were nothing new. I wish she would have included some real pictures instead of just stock photos - even line drawings would have been better. For example, she talks about a fridge filing system and has a picture of a coupon following it - why not put a picture of the fridge filing system? She says that a Purse Perfector is the way to go; I wondered why she didn't include a picture of it instead of a picture of a stock photo of a lady peering down into her purse.
The book is a very fast read and Laura is upbeat and encouraging.
The book is a very fast read and Laura is upbeat and encouraging.
September 6, 2016
This book gave me some ideas on how to control clutter, but it didn't make me want to kick my clutter habit and "become an organization junkie." I also didn't find the stock photos very inspiring. I did like that the author included ideas on using inexpensive (or free) materials to help organize your stuff, recognizing that not everyone has a large budget to spend on shelving units and bins/baskets.
June 7, 2019
Basic info; not much new. Stock photos obvious and unappealing.
January 13, 2014
Like all books about clutter, this had its strengths and weaknesses.
One weakness - at least when it comes to my own purposes - is that it is written by and for people with houses, children, and a vehicle - in this case, a van. Does no one write this type of book for single people in small, cluttered apartments?
So, as so often, the advice to get the kids to help, or to pizza boxes for your kids' artwork, just isn't useful to me.
But it was a sensible book, clearly set up, enough to defuse the fears of any nervous declutterer. Some pieces of advice I particularly liked - the Daily Walkabout, the "I'm outta here" shelf, having a "top three" do-to list each day, and paying attention to annoyances.
If you're just starting a decluttering project, this is a good place to start.
One weakness - at least when it comes to my own purposes - is that it is written by and for people with houses, children, and a vehicle - in this case, a van. Does no one write this type of book for single people in small, cluttered apartments?
So, as so often, the advice to get the kids to help, or to pizza boxes for your kids' artwork, just isn't useful to me.
But it was a sensible book, clearly set up, enough to defuse the fears of any nervous declutterer. Some pieces of advice I particularly liked - the Daily Walkabout, the "I'm outta here" shelf, having a "top three" do-to list each day, and paying attention to annoyances.
If you're just starting a decluttering project, this is a good place to start.
August 7, 2013
One of my favorite organization books. Simple approach. Can-do suggestions.
October 5, 2017
3 or 3.5 stars.
Cute little book to motivate me! I enjoy reading articles similar to this style for tips on minimalism/decluttering so this book was an easy pick for me. Here's how I felt about the tips
-Some were not applicable. I.E. I do not have kids so I don't have to worry about their artwork, toys or motivating them to clean.
-Some tips I love and already do, like the one-in-one-out rule, 1 year rule, trying to use vertical storage and good containers, and evaluating what clothes/kitchen items/etc. I actually use and donating the rest.
-Some tips were new to me and I may use, like using wire shelving and adding dividers into shelves to maximize organization potential, keeping as little as possible on flat surfaces, having an "I'm outta here station" for items you need when heading out the door, and doing a ten minute tidy before bed.
-Some tips I thought were either weird, outdated on contradicting. One tip says to keep flat surfaces clean while another says to have a "beverage station" (shown on the kitchen countertop). Tip #32 "repurposing items" is good to a point (like reusing baby food jars for push pins) but I'm afraid will just lead to hoarding of excess jars and crap ("just in case I may need it one day"!!). Tip #76 about creating an online folder for recipes shows this book's age (it does not mention Pinterest) and the same goes for tip #100- organize while watching TV, especially during the commercial breaks (I do not have cable like a lot of millennials and stream stuff from Netflix and YouTube, which have no/very few commercials).
All in all this book was good and had a lot of helpful advice, but showed its age. It could definitely be updated to include more of today's technology like Pinterest, saving things via the Cloud, and removing paper clutter entirely or mostly. In my opinion, this book didn't go far enough in removing clutter and focused on organizing, and the minimalist in me kept saying that organized clutter is still clutter (I've been to some houses where this very much rings true). For example, the author talks about getting rid of junk mail/ email right away, whereas I would take that a step further and say you should unsubscribe AND get rid of it.
Cute little book to motivate me! I enjoy reading articles similar to this style for tips on minimalism/decluttering so this book was an easy pick for me. Here's how I felt about the tips
-Some were not applicable. I.E. I do not have kids so I don't have to worry about their artwork, toys or motivating them to clean.
-Some tips I love and already do, like the one-in-one-out rule, 1 year rule, trying to use vertical storage and good containers, and evaluating what clothes/kitchen items/etc. I actually use and donating the rest.
-Some tips were new to me and I may use, like using wire shelving and adding dividers into shelves to maximize organization potential, keeping as little as possible on flat surfaces, having an "I'm outta here station" for items you need when heading out the door, and doing a ten minute tidy before bed.
-Some tips I thought were either weird, outdated on contradicting. One tip says to keep flat surfaces clean while another says to have a "beverage station" (shown on the kitchen countertop). Tip #32 "repurposing items" is good to a point (like reusing baby food jars for push pins) but I'm afraid will just lead to hoarding of excess jars and crap ("just in case I may need it one day"!!). Tip #76 about creating an online folder for recipes shows this book's age (it does not mention Pinterest) and the same goes for tip #100- organize while watching TV, especially during the commercial breaks (I do not have cable like a lot of millennials and stream stuff from Netflix and YouTube, which have no/very few commercials).
All in all this book was good and had a lot of helpful advice, but showed its age. It could definitely be updated to include more of today's technology like Pinterest, saving things via the Cloud, and removing paper clutter entirely or mostly. In my opinion, this book didn't go far enough in removing clutter and focused on organizing, and the minimalist in me kept saying that organized clutter is still clutter (I've been to some houses where this very much rings true). For example, the author talks about getting rid of junk mail/ email right away, whereas I would take that a step further and say you should unsubscribe AND get rid of it.
May 21, 2023
This is one of the many books about organizing and decluttering that I have read over the years. Many have the same information, just organized in a different way. This one is based on information Wittmann has shared over a number of years on her popular blog of the same name, but has now gathered all in one place.
As a professional organizer, Wittmann values a life of simplicity and shares that philosophy in her approach and in her style of writing. The book is short and to the point, laid out in single page bits and bytes, so if you do not have a large span of time to sit and read, you can easily pick it up and put it down at your leisure.
Wittman reminds readers what clutter is: just procrastinated decisions, anything you do not love, use or have space to store. She urges readers to rethink what they have, pass on what they do not use and not just reorganize it. The more space we have, the more clutter we collect. It all makes perfect sense, but is not an easy process. Most find it is easier to collect stuff than to get rid of it.
The book has a light hearted, easy to read approach and outlines tips and hints on keeping a home neat, as well as staying on top of thinks when life gets hectic.
She shares ways to tackle every room and pays special attention to apartments or homes with small spaces.
There is large space allotted to kids clutter and how to get them involved in managing it, which may be helpful to some, but not all readers.
Some will find her ideas as simple common sense and complain she does not introduce much that is new. That is true, yet most of us still have the clutter, so this serves as a “kick ass” approach to get readers on their way to dealing with it.
Even if you have read several books on the topic, this volume serves to remind readers where their greatest challenges lie and to keep at it, as a gradual approach over time, or as a targeted approach for a specific space.
As a professional organizer, Wittmann values a life of simplicity and shares that philosophy in her approach and in her style of writing. The book is short and to the point, laid out in single page bits and bytes, so if you do not have a large span of time to sit and read, you can easily pick it up and put it down at your leisure.
Wittman reminds readers what clutter is: just procrastinated decisions, anything you do not love, use or have space to store. She urges readers to rethink what they have, pass on what they do not use and not just reorganize it. The more space we have, the more clutter we collect. It all makes perfect sense, but is not an easy process. Most find it is easier to collect stuff than to get rid of it.
The book has a light hearted, easy to read approach and outlines tips and hints on keeping a home neat, as well as staying on top of thinks when life gets hectic.
She shares ways to tackle every room and pays special attention to apartments or homes with small spaces.
There is large space allotted to kids clutter and how to get them involved in managing it, which may be helpful to some, but not all readers.
Some will find her ideas as simple common sense and complain she does not introduce much that is new. That is true, yet most of us still have the clutter, so this serves as a “kick ass” approach to get readers on their way to dealing with it.
Even if you have read several books on the topic, this volume serves to remind readers where their greatest challenges lie and to keep at it, as a gradual approach over time, or as a targeted approach for a specific space.
September 6, 2021
Many of the ideas presented here are pretty much standard fare for organization/clutter books, but it helps to keep being reminded when you're a procrastinator. And if there is a certain, unnamed male in the household that doesn't know the meaning of "a place for everything, everything in its place," well, it's an uphill battle.
My most usable inspiration for our circumstances was an idea that triggered a solution about our warranties/maintenance books/receipts for major things. So, it was worth reading.
There are better clutter organization books, but they all have a place. And, obviously, an audience.
My most usable inspiration for our circumstances was an idea that triggered a solution about our warranties/maintenance books/receipts for major things. So, it was worth reading.
There are better clutter organization books, but they all have a place. And, obviously, an audience.
September 21, 2023
Clutter Rehab simplifies spaces with practical tips
I'm puzzled with the ratings for this practical little gem. Should be higher! Short chapters any schedule can appreciate, encouragement and an area-at-a-time approach that makes it like a household handbook for busy people. Basic but fun photo illustrations to keep you breezing through the pages. Not gimmicky, but every page is useful.
I'm puzzled with the ratings for this practical little gem. Should be higher! Short chapters any schedule can appreciate, encouragement and an area-at-a-time approach that makes it like a household handbook for busy people. Basic but fun photo illustrations to keep you breezing through the pages. Not gimmicky, but every page is useful.
January 6, 2021
The only new idea in here was to add a carabiner to my car keys so they don't get lost in my purse. Everything else was basic stuff I've heard a million times. I liked the tip format which made it a quick read, but the suggestions were uninspired.
January 20, 2018
Mostly common sense & mom stuff.
March 17, 2018
A nice little book, with super-simple and easy to digest tips for cleaning and decluttering. Nothing really groundbreaking, but it was a fast read (just an hour or two).
July 15, 2018
Great book. Easy to read. Laid out so that you can read it quickly! Great tips!
June 10, 2019
Good little book - good tips.
December 18, 2020
Some helpful tips, some things that just seem like common sense...
September 28, 2021
An easy read for if you are considering and or just starting to organize your home. Defiantly worth the read but may not be enough for the very unorganized.
January 25, 2023
Eehh, some good points, but it made me realize that I’m more of a KonMari gal.
Probably beneficial to people with kids.
Probably beneficial to people with kids.
January 20, 2024
Very basic and common suggestions
February 8, 2024
Some tips I knew and few I didn't. Good questions to ask for certain tasks.
March 23, 2017
lots of good ideas. but the part i liked the best was " clutter is immobilizing, it stifles our freedom to enjoy the spaces we do have, it takes up mental space whether we know it or not." I have found this to be so true and so freeing, now that I am moving I want all the space I can get.
February 18, 2024
Rating: ⭐⭐ (2.5/5)
A great place to start your decluttering journey! Use these tips to get your home organized and establish a system to keep it that way.
Highlights: Simple and condensed - no fluff. A good refresher for minimalist ideas.
Lowlights: Stock photos. Not inspirational. A few repetitive tips (e.g. craft station, game station, etc.).
A great place to start your decluttering journey! Use these tips to get your home organized and establish a system to keep it that way.
Highlights: Simple and condensed - no fluff. A good refresher for minimalist ideas.
Lowlights: Stock photos. Not inspirational. A few repetitive tips (e.g. craft station, game station, etc.).
November 20, 2023
Gave some ideas I use
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October 28, 2015Laura Wittmann's Clutter Rehab is well organized, informative and it makes a great gift. I bet almost everyone knows at least one hoarder.How depressing is it to go into a house that's jam-packed with STUFF? I know just how tough it is because sadly I live in a house just like that. I soon as I saw this book I had to snag it and bribe my wife into reading it.
Laura's book is very easy to read in a nicely spaced large bold font. Each page is neat and clean, covering one interesting topic per page only. Even her book has an uncluttered appearance. How refreshing is that? Her pictures are bright and colorful making you want to turn the pages. The book is just the right size to carry anywhere and each topic is brief making it easy to read almost anywhere.
Everything we do is a process and Laura recognizes this by the way she has organized Clutter Rehab. She begins by defining clutter. Then she defines the process and suggests a best and easiest place to start uncluttering your life.Laura lists 101 easy things you can do to begin making your life clutter free. How rewarding is that? I hope to find out in the near future. If this book does not do the trick (certainly no fault of Laura's), I might have to resort to hypnotism. Check out Clutter Rehab today. You'll be glad you did. It's also available in E format although I think the book is handier.
Laura's book is very easy to read in a nicely spaced large bold font. Each page is neat and clean, covering one interesting topic per page only. Even her book has an uncluttered appearance. How refreshing is that? Her pictures are bright and colorful making you want to turn the pages. The book is just the right size to carry anywhere and each topic is brief making it easy to read almost anywhere.
Everything we do is a process and Laura recognizes this by the way she has organized Clutter Rehab. She begins by defining clutter. Then she defines the process and suggests a best and easiest place to start uncluttering your life.Laura lists 101 easy things you can do to begin making your life clutter free. How rewarding is that? I hope to find out in the near future. If this book does not do the trick (certainly no fault of Laura's), I might have to resort to hypnotism. Check out Clutter Rehab today. You'll be glad you did. It's also available in E format although I think the book is handier.
September 8, 2016
This was good because I found some pleasant additions to my usual routines, but frustrating in that I had to wade through all the stuff I already know to find the stuff I didn't know/hadn't thought of.
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Update 8-25-12
I went through this again at work and found I had internalized a lot more of these ideas than I originally thought! I definitely made a point to incorporate some ideas, but others seem to have crept in without my realizing it. It was definitely a pleasant surprise, especially after having read a few more really uninspiring books about organization and clutter. This was the shortest of those books but also had the most ideas that are natural yet unconventional.
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Update 8-25-12
I went through this again at work and found I had internalized a lot more of these ideas than I originally thought! I definitely made a point to incorporate some ideas, but others seem to have crept in without my realizing it. It was definitely a pleasant surprise, especially after having read a few more really uninspiring books about organization and clutter. This was the shortest of those books but also had the most ideas that are natural yet unconventional.
June 20, 2013
Even though I would consider myself a pretty organized individual, there are definitely things I can improve upon, and I can honestly say that Clutter Rehab gave me some really great ideas, all in one compact, incredibly useful book.
It’s laid out in a really easy-to-read, organized way (go figure!), and you don’t even have to read it in order if you don’t want to.
Start by flipping around to one idea a day, then, when you’re ready to move on, you can find another tip to try. I mean, there’s certainly enough to choose from!
It’s laid out in a really easy-to-read, organized way (go figure!), and you don’t even have to read it in order if you don’t want to.
Start by flipping around to one idea a day, then, when you’re ready to move on, you can find another tip to try. I mean, there’s certainly enough to choose from!
September 8, 2013
This was a fast, easy, and good book. I liked how there were plenty of tips, suggestions, and tricks that can be pulled off, and that everything was short and to the point. There wasn't a lot of babble and this book didn't take very long to read. You get the basic idea and it sounds so easy you want to get right to it. No technical talk either! Although she does tell you it will take some time, I liked the 'don't look up' and to focus, focus, focus. That's what happens to me and I liked that that was included. This was light and fun and got my head in the game. Wish me luck...and Enjoy!
March 6, 2016
While there were some helpful tips they were sparse on the ground.
I can use the wire racks in the cupboard tip and maybe a few others, but a majority are not useful.
If you don't have kids or at least roommates this may be a complete waste of time to read. Since tons of the tips are irrelevant to those who live alone. Many of the "tips" are common sense and anyone who has ever cleaned understands them.
The stock images felt like filler to up the already short page count. So....yeah. Read something else.
I can use the wire racks in the cupboard tip and maybe a few others, but a majority are not useful.
If you don't have kids or at least roommates this may be a complete waste of time to read. Since tons of the tips are irrelevant to those who live alone. Many of the "tips" are common sense and anyone who has ever cleaned understands them.
The stock images felt like filler to up the already short page count. So....yeah. Read something else.
August 27, 2011
Readers looking for home organization tips should stick with the ONLY good book I've found on the subject, which is Confessions of an Organized Homemaker: The Secrets of Uncluttering Your Home and Taking Control of Your Life
October 28, 2011
I am writing this review amid the clutter on my desk, wondering where the author went wrong in her motivational tips... lol. Just kidding. Although the ideas presented in the book are by no means original or enlightening, I did get a surge of organizational energy and managed to clean out two of my kids' closets --a major feat, believe me. The point of reading the book was accomplished: to gear my inside Martha into action.
February 12, 2024
This is a quick book with 101 tips for de-cluttering household items, clothing, and rooms and how to organize what is left. Being very organized already, I was pleased to see a lot of things I already do and happy to get some tips for areas where I know I can improve. I think this book will be helpful for people with several people in the home (especially those with kids) and/or those who have found themselves with just too much darn stuff.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews