At some point, most of our homes have looked like a hurricane has run through them. Piles of used dishes by the sink. Dirty clothes are all over the chairs. Broken equipment and furniture are taking up a lot of the space in a room. Often, it takes weeks or even months to build up to such a state that we don’t even see it coming.

Clutter can make life very difficult. To start with, it can negatively impact your mental and physical health. It does this by increasing stress and anxiety, creating safety hazards and fostering an environment for germs, bacteria and pests to thrive.

Moreover, if you work from home, it can also significantly reduce your level of productivity. That is why it's good to give your home the once-over every now and then.

But how do you know when the time is right to embark on a big tidy-up?

Here are seven signs to look out for when your home is in a bit of a sty situation, and why professional companies like 1300 Rubbish can help you declutter your house more effectively, safely and responsibly.

1. You Can’t Find Everyday Items

If you’re always hunting for your keys, wallet, or phone, clutter might be why you can’t easily see them. When everything piles up, the important stuff can quickly disappear in the chaos.

One way to avoid this is to set up a small “drop zone” near your entryway where you can leave your keys and mail. If you do this, you’ll always know where they are. So, when you need them, you can just pick them up and go.

2. Every Surface Is Covered

Have your benchtops, coffee tables, and dining table turned into storage zones? Then that is a clear clue that clutter has taken over.

The key to addressing this is to start small. Pick one surface and clear it completely. Then wipe it down and only return the things you use on a daily basis. Everything else can get put away in a drawer somewhere.

If you do this, the sense of space you’ll feel after making this small change will surprise you.

3. You Feel Overwhelmed in Your Own Home

Clutter can crowd a room. But it can also weigh heavily on your mind. Indeed, too much visual noise can lead to experiencing prolonged stress, restlessness, and even anxiousness. This can all be avoided by simply changing the layout and appearance of your rooms.

4. You Keep Putting Off Tidying Up

Sometimes, people are aware that their house needs a good decluttering. But they keep putting it off because it feels like a Herculean task.

Often, clutter is the culprit because the more things you own, the more time you will have to devote to dealing with it.

A good way to do this is to break down the clutter into more manageable chunks. Tackle one drawer or one shelf at a time. Focus on sorting out one room before moving to the next. If you do this, progress will be slow and steady. But you might create a more sustainable way to keep your home less untidy or susceptible to damage.

This is important if you are currently renting and want to get your bond back.

5. You’ve Run Out of Storage Space

Lack of storage space at home is a big issue for many Aussies, especially those who reside in major cities. So, if your cupboards are bursting open, wardrobes are packed tight, and you’ve got cardboard boxes stacked in the hallway, this is a classic symptom you’ll need to address.

If you have too much stuff in and around your home, it is important to get rid of everything you do not use or no longer need. Be sure to organise these possessions into separate piles to donate to charity, sell on places like Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree, recycle, and discard at the tip.

Should you find you have lots of bulky items or things like toxic paints and car batteries that are difficult to dispose of responsibly yourself, it is worth calling in a specialist rubbish removal company like 1300 Rubbish. They will be able to do it quickly and efficiently for you.

6. Your Wardrobe Is Overflowing

Do you struggle to close your wardrobe doors or find something to wear each morning? If so, it might be time for a wardrobe reset.

A good way to start is by removing everything from it and laying it on your bed. Then begin sorting your items into one pile of what fits you, what you love to wear, and what you actually wear. For everything else that you either don’t wear or don’t fit, sell or donate them to charity. There are plenty of local op shops around Lismore that are always happy to accept quality clothing.

For any future clothing purchases you make, use the one-in, one-out rule. In other words, when you buy something new, donate something old to charity.

7. Cleaning Takes Much Longer

Remember when cleaning your home only seemed to take a couple of hours? Well, if every surface is covered and every corner is filled, and vacuuming and dusting feel like a marathon, then it could be clutter that is slowing you down.

Quite simply, the less stuff you have in your home, the less cleaning you will have to do. More importantly, the quicker it takes you to clean, the more time you’ll have to relax in your much tidier home.