Happier with Gretchen Rubin

Episode: Ep. 530: Very Special Episode: Hacks, Products, and Tips for Spring Clearing & Organizing
Release Date: April 16, 2025

Gretchen Rubin, the #1 bestselling author of The Happiness Project and Better Than Before, teams up with her sister, Elizabeth Craft, a TV writer and producer, in this milestone 530th episode of their lively and insightful podcast, Happier. This special episode delves into the art of spring clearing and organizing, offering a wealth of practical tips, product recommendations, and personal anecdotes to help listeners achieve a clutter-free and harmonious living space.

Introduction to Spring Clearing and Organizing

[02:18] Elizabeth Craft:
"Spring cleaning and organizing is definitely not one of my strengths. But all the better that we're having this episode."

Gretchen and Elizabeth kick off the episode by acknowledging that while spring cleaning may not be everyone's forte, it's a timely and essential practice for maintaining a happy and productive home environment. They set the stage for a comprehensive discussion on effective decluttering strategies and organizational hacks.

Essential Steps for Decluttering

[04:01] Elizabeth Craft:
"The first thing to do is get rid of the things that you do not need. You can donate them, give them away, throw them away, recycle them—whatever works."

The sisters emphasize the importance of starting with decluttering before diving into organizing. By removing unnecessary items, the process becomes more manageable and the goal of a tidy space is more achievable.

Key Points:

• Focus on "Low-Hanging Fruit":
  [04:36] Gretchen Rubin:
  "Cleaning out the fridge and freezer of things that have expired. I would also add to that the medicine cabinet."

• Identify and Clear Dump Zones:
  [05:44] Gretchen Rubin:
  "Sort through areas where items tend to accumulate, like the dining table or bathroom counters, to prevent clutter from building up."

• Manage "Closed Purgatory" Clothes:
  [06:50] Gretchen Rubin:
  "I call that closed purgatory, and I definitely have that right now."

Gretchen introduces the concept of "closed purgatory"—a space for clothes that are neither clean nor dirty—and discusses the importance of addressing these items to keep closets organized.

Tools and Products for Effective Organizing

[13:49] Gretchen Rubin:
"First off, your book, Outer Order Intercom, has many practical tips."

Elizabeth shares favorite tools and products that have revolutionized their organizing routines, underscoring that the right tools can significantly ease the clutter-clearing process.

Featured Tools:

1. Rolling Three-Tier Cart
   [15:20] Elizabeth Craft:
   "A rolling three-tier cart makes it easy to keep items accessible and quickly stow them away when needed."

2. Magic Erasers
   [15:25] Gretchen Rubin:
   "These things really are magic at making mess and grease disappear."

3. Command Hooks
   [16:22] Elizabeth Craft:
   "Command hooks are perfect for hanging items without damaging walls."

4. Packing Cubes
   [16:41] Gretchen Rubin:
   "Packing cubes make organizing luggage effortless and help separate clean from dirty clothes."

5. Shelf Spinners (Traditionally Lazy Susans)
   [17:02] Elizabeth Craft:
   "Shelf spinners make accessing items in corner cabinets much easier."

6. Swedish Dishcloths
   [18:38] Gretchen Rubin:
   "Reusable and absorbent, they’re a sustainable alternative to paper towels."

7. Label Makers
   [18:44] Elizabeth Craft:
   "Perfect for labeling boxes and keeping materials sorted."

8. Digital Scales
   [20:56] Elizabeth Craft:
   "Useful for weighing postage and ensuring accurate mailing without frequent trips to the post office."

Organizational Strategies and Hacks

The 1-Minute Rule
[32:19] Elizabeth Craft:
"If you can do something in less than a minute, do it without delay."

Implementing the 1-minute rule helps prevent clutter from accumulating by addressing small tasks immediately, such as hanging a coat or putting a book back on the shelf.

The 10-Minute Tidy Up
[32:54] Elizabeth Craft:
"Every evening when I leave my office, I try to take 10 minutes and just put pens in the pen cup... It makes coming back into my office in the morning so much easier."

Setting aside dedicated time each day for tidying ensures that clutter remains under control without overwhelming effort.

Digital Decluttering
[33:35] Elizabeth Craft:
"I never clean that stuff out. If I did it day by day, then when it came time to do my photo albums, it would be a lot less burdensome."

Regularly managing digital files and photos prevents digital clutter from becoming a significant issue.

Personal Anecdotes and Examples

Apothecary Jars for Keepsakes
[25:56] Elizabeth Craft:
"For Eliza and Eleanor, it was all the little items they wanted to keep. I put them in apothecary jars, and they look really cool on the shelf."

Using visually appealing containers like apothecary jars helps organize sentimental items while adding aesthetic value to the space.

Bank Boxes with Files
[27:42] Gretchen Rubin:
"This is a great way to keep paper artifacts organized, like party invitations or school photos."

Bank boxes provide a structured solution for maintaining organized keepsakes and important documents.

Enhancing Valuable Spaces

Protecting Valuable Real Estate in the Home
[29:46] Gretchen Rubin:
"I want to get some bins that I can put in my closet where I have some room and put things that are on my bathroom counter."

Prioritizing high-use areas like bathroom counters by relocating seldom-used items to less prominent storage ensures these spaces remain functional and clutter-free.

Final Tips and Encouragement

The episode wraps up with an invitation for listeners to implement the discussed hacks and share their experiences. Gretchen and Elizabeth encourage ongoing efforts to maintain an organized home, emphasizing that preventing clutter is as crucial as clearing it.

[34:03] Elizabeth Craft:
"If you want to do more listening, we have covered it several times in very fun ways..."

They also reference previous episodes that delve deeper into specific organizing strategies, providing additional resources for eager listeners.

Notable Quotes

• Elizabeth Craft:
  "If you can do something in less than a minute, do it without delay." [32:19]

• Gretchen Rubin:
  "Things that are clear tend to stay clear, and things that are cluttered tend to get more cluttered." [06:00]

• Elizabeth Craft:
  "Having a tool can make life much easier and save us a lot of convenience." [08:04]

Conclusion

In this special episode, Gretchen Rubin and Elizabeth Craft provide a treasure trove of insights and practical advice for anyone looking to embark on spring clearing and organizing. From essential decluttering steps to innovative tools and sustainable habits, their combined expertise offers listeners a comprehensive guide to creating a happier, more organized living space. Whether you're a seasoned organizer or just beginning your decluttering journey, this episode of Happier is packed with valuable strategies to help you achieve lasting order and peace in your home.

Resources Mentioned:

• Outer Order Intercom by Elizabeth Craft
• Memento Keepsake Journal
• Various organizing tools and products discussed throughout the episode

Connect with Gretchen and Elizabeth:

• Instagram, TikTok, Facebook: Share your organizing successes and favorite hacks.
• Email: Drop your tips and experiences at podcastretchenmovin.com
• Show Notes: Visit @tapiercast.com FiveThirty for links to all discussed resources.

Thank you to our executive producer Chuck Reed and everyone at Lemonada for making this episode possible. Don't forget to rate, review, and follow us on your favorite podcast platform. If you enjoyed the show, tell your friends and family to join the journey toward a happier life.