Cleaning with the KonMari Method

Netflix’s new series Tidying Up with Marie Kondo has recently taken the internet world by storm. It is a special show inspired by Kondo’s book, The Art of Tidying Up and her trendy method of cleaning, KonMari, inspired by her name. The beginning of a new year is the perfect time to assess everything in the home and begin a process of decluttering. Marie Kondo’s method is inspiring countless people to work towards a goal of living a more simple and organized life. Here is an introduction to her method so you can start too.

Sort by category, not location.

The KonMari method encourages sorting your belongings into categories. First is clothing, then books, papers, miscellaneous and then sentimental items. There is immense focus on being mindful while looking through each item and feeling a connection to it whether it is kept or not. Marie’s trademark phrase is “spark joy” in which she encourages the owner to determine whether or not an item sparks joy when they hold it.

When tidying through clothing, Marie emphasizes placing ALL items in one pile on the bed and touching each item individually and if it does not spark joy, place it in a bin or bag to donate or throw away. With items that are kept and not hung, she has a very specific folding method. First, fold the item in half and then into thirds. If it is a bigger item such as pants, fold it in half twice and then into thirds. The goal is to have it stand on its edges in a drawer or on a shelf so it is easily visible and accessible.

The same can be done in the kitchen, garage and other areas and use of storage bins is highly encouraged.

Tidy up each category at one time.

When beginning a project, it is important to declutter the whole space at once. If a category such as clothing is started with an intention to come back later, it can be very easy to revert to your old ways and not finish. Once your mindset is rolling with organization, there is a steady speed and you will be finished before you know it.

Store sentimental items in a way that sparks joy.

Marie recommends sifting through photos that are easily tossed to the side in a messy pile or box, and keeping only the photos that spark joy and pleasant memories. Placing them in a display such as an album makes it easy to look through them and show them to family and friends. Decorative boxes are also good for storing special items such as baby clothes or heirloom pieces.

This cleaning method is popular for good reason. Check out the series on Netflix or take a look at Marie’s book for deeper inspiration in moving towards a clutter-free life!