Organizing Hack: CleanTok Influencers Share the One They Wish They’d Learned Sooner

Spring cleaning is a cliche, but there really is something about warmer weather that makes us want to find a good organizing hack and transform our entire home.

It’s one thing, though, to watch an endless scroll of ASMR tidying videos on Instagram or TikTok, yet it’s quite another to actually sit down and sort through piles of stuff in your own home. Most of our organizing journeys usually start the same: we’re ready, we’re motivated, we have a fresh roll of trash bags at our side. And then we get completely overwhelmed or bored and the clutter lives to see another day.

We’re here to help! We consulted some of your favorite cleaning influencers on both TikTok (aka #CleanTok) and Instagram and asked them for the one simple organizing hack they always return to and can help you kick-start your own journey.

The hanger-turning trick

“At the beginning of the year, turn all of your hangers backwards. As you wear things, hang them back up but this time with the hanger the correct way around. More and more of the hangers will be the right way around as you move through the year.

At the end of the year the hangers that are still round the wrong way shows exactly what you haven’t worn all year. This helps when decluttering as it proves that you haven’t worn them so it’s easier to let things go. At the end of the year, you declutter and start the whole process again.” —Anna Louisa @anna_louisa_at_home

Try “habit stacking”

“It doesn’t always make the most sense to place items that are alike together. Instead, consider where you would usually use an item, then put it there! This is also known as habit stacking.

For instance, if you usually use an LED mask while watching TV, place it in a bin by your sofa instead of keeping it tucked away in your bathroom.” —Caroline Solomon of @neatcaroline

Take advantage of your vertical space

“My biggest organizing tip is that I always try to take advantage of any vertical space possible. We love adhesive organizers that utilize space that would typically be forgotten. This maximizes storage and is so accessible.” —Jeanette Colley of @neatlyembellished

Deploy the “one-minute rule”

“I live by this: the one-minute rule. If it takes less than a minute to do, do it right now. Put the scissors back in the drawer. Toss the junk mail. Hang up the jacket instead of draping it over the back of the chair.

These tiny decisions add up. One minute may not feel like much, but it’s the difference between ‘my house is a disaster’ and ‘oh, this actually feels manageable.’ Future you is already giving you a standing ovation.”—Jennifer Johnson of @theorderlyspace

Cut down to keep up

“One hack that I wished I had learned sooner: If you can’t keep up, you have too much. This sounds dramatic, but think about it. If you can’t keep up with the piles of laundry? Declutter your wardrobe by half. If you are tired of the mountain of dishes sitting in the sink? Reduce the number of place settings you keep on hand.