4 ways to make 'clutter busting' an easy part of your daily routine (without trying to find extra time)

SALT LAKE CITY — Summer isn't the time for an all-out organizing project, but our Jenny Layton has a challenge to help tuck in the house a bit.

Layton shared easy decluttering projects you can tackle on a hot day indoors.

Don't Organize, Declutter

Layton said people often treat organizing and decluttering the same, but they're actually very different.

"Organization is so fun. It's what we see on Instagram and we love," she said. "It involves bins and labels and reorganizing things on shelves, as well as decluttering."

She explained that organization can feel overwhelming, but decluttering can be done quickly and simply. Layton created clutter busting as a way to make progress without turning cleaning into a major project.

"Can you just take 10 minutes of time, focus on one area?" she asked.

Instead of dedicating an entire day to organizing, you commit to a brief burst of decluttering. In just a few minutes you'll see noticeable progress.

The Three-Bin Method

Layton recommended getting three containers for your clutter busting session.

"You're going to have things to throw away, give away and put away," she explained. "If you don't have those bins, you go to put something away in another room, and all of a sudden you're onto another project."

When you sort everything into those categories first, you stay in one place and finish the initial task you started.

Set a 10-Minute Timer

Layton said to physically set a timer for clutter busting.

"It helps your brain to know that this isn't an all-out organizing project," she explained.

Ten minutes is achievable, even on busy days. Whether the kids are taking a bath, you're waiting for dinner to cook or you have a few extra minutes before bed, there's usually enough time for a quick decluttering session.

Start With the Spaces You See Every Day

When people decide to declutter, they often get stuck trying to decide where to start. Layton said to start with visible areas.

"For a lot of my clients, that visual clutter is the most sensitive," she explained.

Because those spaces are constantly in view, cleaning them up is immediately impactful.

"The kitchen counter, the dining room table, the nightstand," Layton said. "Those are great places to start."

Build Clutter Busting Into Everyday Routines

Layton said not to treat clutter busting like a special event. Attach it to something you already do regularly.

"Every time you empty the dishwasher, when you're done, you just set your timer and go choose an area to clutter bust," she gave as an example. "It becomes a really fun habit."

Because you're working consistently, clutter gets easier to manage before it turns into a bigger problem.

Small Wins Create Big Momentum

Layton explained that the reason clutter busting works so well is the emotional payoff. She shared an example of decluttering her jewelry collection while getting ready one morning.

"For the whole morning, I just had this extra little boost," she said.

Clearing a drawer, countertop or shelf can bring this sense of accomplishment that spills into other areas of your life. Those small victories can build motivation for tackling the next space.

Find more organizing advice from Jenny Layton on Instagram, @jlthehappygal.