How to Get Your Family on Board with Decluttering

Learn how to get your family on board with decluttering. Getting your family to help with decluttering gets easier with these simple tips.

Your family might not be as enthusiastic as you are about decluttering. And who can blame them? Decluttering can be tiresome, time-consuming, and challenging. And I have had some of my readers ask, how do I get my family to help with decluttering?

I know the feeling you get when decluttering and no one else wants to help. It gets rougher if any of your family members is a hoarder or pack rat. There will always be things lying idle around the house.

So, how can you get your family involved? Here are some tips to help convince them to join the decluttering process.

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10 Simple Tips for Getting Your Family on Board with Decluttering

#1. Pay Attention when Shopping

The decluttering process becomes easy when we regulate our shopping habits. Remember that, the LESS stuff you have, the LESS stuff your family will have to declutter and clean, making the decluttering process less overwhelming.

How often have you gone to the mall to buy clothing and found yourself buying impulsively?

Before you buy something, confirm that it checks three boxes;

Do you need it?
Will you use this item?
Does it bring you fulfillment?

Many people have stuff they bought and never used lying idle at home. If the item you want to buy does not check the three boxes above, you probably do not need it.

#2. Communicate with Your Family

Before you engage your family in decluttering, sit them down and have an open conversation. Help them understand why you want to declutter and what you hope to achieve from this process. The best way to get them onboard is by letting them know how you feel when you walk into a messy room.

Make them anticipate the goodness of decluttering and paint a picture in their minds of how beautifully their lives will change. The conversation should be open and two-way. Once you decide to declutter as a family, each member will feel obligated to contribute to this process.

#3. Make it a Tradition

Family traditions are a great way to create positive experiences and foster bonds between family members. Make occasional decluttering a family tradition where everyone has to play their part in cleaning the homestead. For instance, you can declare the last Saturday of every month to be a family cleaning day.

Everyone has to participate – no exceptions. Delegate roles according to capacity. It might be a great way to bond with the kids.

#4. Start Small and Make it Fun

This is one of the best decluttering motivation tips because decluttering can be a daunting task. The thought of cleaning the hallways, the kitchen, the living area, the bedrooms, the bathrooms… It sounds too tasking.

Kids do not want to spend hours scrubbing floors and sorting through stuff. Decluttering might seem like a punishment to them.

To get the family onboard with this process, start small and make it a fun activity. It might take longer to achieve your goal because they will be playful but everyone will be a happy participant in the process.

#5. Create a Decluttering Challenge

Another simple but effective way to get your family interested in decluttering is by creating a challenge with a reward if someone accomplishes this challenge.

Start simple. For instance, create a weekend challenge where kids have to collect a certain number of items to win. They will leave their spaces tidier and more organized as they strive to win this challenge.

#6. Announce to the Family when Donating Stuff

How many times have you told someone you are going to donate your stuff and they bring their unwanted stuff to donate as well?

Let’s say you are getting rid of shoes you no longer wear. When you tell your family members that you will donate the shoes, they may also want to get rid of their unwanted shoes.

Everyone will start decluttering without being prompted. This is a classic case of leading by example.

#7. Create Spaces for Everyone in the Family

What may seem valuable to one member of the family may be worthless to another family member. Respect the sentimental value these items have to their owners. Sometimes your family members may not be enthusiastic about decluttering because they are afraid you might decide to get rid of stuff that means a lot to them.

When you give them personal space, they can keep things they value most and discard other items without feeling oppressed.

#8. Create Clutter-Free Zones

Designate some places (like the bedroom) to be clutter-free zones. Insist that everything should be well organized and stored away when not in use. Have storage bins or spaces for toys, clothing, shoes, and other stuff the kids may have in their rooms.

The kids should see and feel the difference when they walk into this space compared to other less-organized areas.

#9. Rewarding and Using Positive Reinforcement

Decluttering is not a fun activity for kids. Even most adults detest spending hours cleaning and removing stuff from the house. Do something exciting with your family after this activity. Dinner or a movie sounds like a great reward.

When your kids are not feeling like participating in decluttering, do not scold them. Use positive reinforcement to encourage them.

#10. Appeal to their Wants and Values

Find something your family loves and leverage that to get them interested in decluttering. For instance, if your son loves playing football, show him how he will have more time to play once he helps declutter the house.

How to Make Family Members Help with Decluttering – Conclusion

Decluttering can be overwhelming and getting your family on board with decluttering can be an uphill task. But it is doable if you use the right tactics. Every family is different, what works for one family may not work for another. So, knowing the right approach to take with your family will make getting everyone on board with decluttering easier.