HOME TRUTHS: Blowing the Cover on Stealth Purging

Professional organizer Molly Boren wants to introduce the cluttered masses to a simple and painless way of keeping their homes organized. It's so easy, she says, you won't even know you're doing it: stealth purging. We're constantly making choices to keep or toss items, says Boren, the owner of Chicago-based Simplicity Works.

“Clutter results from delaying the follow-through on those decisions,” she explains.

To help you act immediately on your natural urge to purge, Boren recommends placing a disposable, open-mouth container, such as a bag or box, marked “recycle” or “donate” in every closet and in the kitchen, garage, foyer, and trunk of each car. The next time you try on a sweater that doesn't fit, finish a magazine, or move aside a can of beets you'll never eat—place it in the container. (It's also a good idea to keep a shredder near where you open mail so that you can safely dispose of sensitive material such as credit-card offers.)

When the containers are full, Boren suggests inviting over a bunch of friends for a swap party, or bringing the items to a local donation or recycling spot. Popular drop-off locations include:

• Goodwill

• Salvation Army

• Vietnam Veterans of America

• AmVets

You can also find local donation centers online through Google.com by entering “donate clothing” into the search line; many offer pickup service. And most churches, synagogues, and other places of worship host annual clothing and food drives.

For information on how to recycle hazardous household waste, such as electronics, chemicals, drugs, batteries, paint, cell phones, or computers, visit Earth 911. (If you have a computer to recycle or donate, make sure you take it a 14001-certified organization, meaning it has gone though a government check to make sure it's protecting your information as well as the environment.)

With very little effort, you've just helped yourself and your community. Now, tell a friend—there's no need to keep it secret!

Anna Wahrman
Home's Managing Editor
aka Annagram