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Declutter Diaries: The Junk Drawer

Declutter Diaries: The Junk Drawer

By Y.M. Lowy

Welcome to another installment of Declutter Diaries! Today, we’re diving into the most mysterious and chaotic place in the home: the junk drawer. While this drawer can seem harmless, over time, it can become a mini-storage unit for clutter. But fear not! With a little bit of effort, you can transform this chaotic drawer into an organized and functional space.


Organize This: 

Empty It Out: Start by emptying the drawer. Lay everything out on a table or countertop so you can see what you’re working with. This is the perfect opportunity to get rid of anything that’s broken, expired, or no longer useful.

Sort and Categorize: Group similar items together. Put all the pens, paperclips, and rubber bands in one pile. Gather batteries, screws, and other small tools in another. You’ll soon see that the mess isn’t as overwhelming as it seems once you break it down into categories.

Purge the Unnecessary: This is where the magic happens. Throw away anything that’s expired, broken, or simply unnecessary. You don’t need that half-full bottle of glue you’ve had since 2015 or those old receipts you’ve been meaning to dump. 

Use Organizers: Invest in some drawer organizers to separate and contain your items. Small containers or dividers can work wonders in creating separate spaces for each category. The goal is to have a home for everything, so the drawer doesn’t become a free-for-all. Wire organizers can be a lifesaver if you constantly find yourself untangling a knot of cables to find the one you need.

Label and Maintain: Once your drawer is organized, take a moment to label the sections, if possible. This will make it easier to return items to their designated spaces when needed. Lastly, set a routine for maintaining it. Give it a quick tidy-up once a month, and you’ll never fall back into clutter chaos.


Did You Know?

The term “junk drawer” dates back to the 1940s, when people started using a single drawer to stash miscellaneous items that didn’t have a proper place. Today, about 75% of households have a junk drawer, full of everything from spare batteries to old mitzvah notes. It’s a universal problem to tackle!


Myth Busting:

Myth: Junk drawers are for dumping things I’ll never use again

Reality: Instead of hoarding random stuff, it can be a place for everyday essentials you use like extra batteries, paperclips, or notes. By keeping only what you need, it becomes a tidy, functional space rather than a cluttered black hole.


One Item Purge Challenge:

Take a look at the random assortment of pens in your junk drawer. How many of them work? Challenge yourself to get rid of at least five pens that are out of ink or broken. Not only will you clear up space, but you’ll also make it easier to find the working pens next time you need one!


How Do You Do It?

Do you keep receipts in one spot, toss them immediately, or have a system for sorting and storing them? How long do you hang onto them before deciding it’s time to let them go? Share your approach to managing those little paper slips!


 Photo: Shutterstock



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