How to Eliminate Paper Clutter

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• Stop Clutter Problems
• Paper Clutter

Paper can quickly swamp your drawers, filing areas, and table tops!

It's the easiest type of clutter to accumulate.

All those documents hanging from the fridge can make your kitchen look like a mess, even if the counters are neat and clean.

Get rid of all the piles of paper lying around your house with these simple methods.

1. Clutter on the Refrigerator

For many households, the door of the refrigerator becomes a repository for paper clutter.

Some people may pin up mail or advertisements they mean to read later with a magnet. Those with kids will surely hang a few crayon drawings.

A few pieces here and there are alright. But too many can drag down the feel of your kitchen.

So how do you manage it? A simple rule is for every new paper that goes on the fridge door, an old one has to come out. Throw away old circulars before replacing them with a new one and cycle out your child's schoolwork and drawings.

2. Saving Special Documents

Just because you have removed your child's drawing from the refrigerator doesn't mean you must throw it in the trash.

Put special documents in a container. This container should be reserved specifically for these items only, and nothing else. It could be a photo album or a plastic storage container.

Something water proof is ideal just in case an accident occurs. When the container gets full, go through its contents and make sure you're keeping only items you really want.

3. Where is the Mail?

Each day, the mail presents a new opportunity for clutter in your home. Almost every household receives fliers and advertisements as well as junk parcels.

Do not set the pile aside to do later, instead sort it as soon as it arrives and throw out the unwanted material immediately.

Alternatively, get a mail organizer and use this while going through the day's mail.

4. Go Digital!

Opt to receive electronic bank statements and bills to immediately reduce the amount of paper clutter that enters your home.

The internet makes it possible to do almost anything digitally. Many families have turned to electronic billing for their utilities, car and mortgage payments.

In some ways this can be a safety measure as well. The less material printed with your name and financial information on it, the better!

4. Storing Vital Documents

Don't lose your important documents in a sea of old fliers, junk mail, and scrawled shopping lists. Paper clutter can easily devour your most vital documents if you're not careful.

These include birth certificates, marriage licenses, vehicle titles, health records and property deeds. As soon as you obtain these items, put them in a secure place.

Many households employ the use of a fireproof safe just in case of emergencies. Waiting for duplicates can be time consuming and costly, so make sure you keep your originals organized, ready and protected.