When I made this website, I tried to find the “declutter” definition and really I couldn’t find it in any dictionary of English language, but people uses it and even I made this website with the name of “Declutter Advice“. The same for unclutter, this word would a synonym of declutter.

I have found on a Free Dictionary Online by Farlex the meaning of declutter but it is not a word on English dictionaries. In this free dictionary they define declutter as “to simplify or get rid of mess, disorder, complications, etc”. I think it is close enough.

As any language, words can be included in a dictionary by conventions, I think some day the world “declutter” will be there because of its common use.

The word “clutter” is in all dictionaries, the most closest meaning for this website purposes, which is to talk about decluttering tips, is the following: ”To fill or cover with scattered or disordered things that impede movement or reduce effectiveness”.

What a good explanation of what clutter is!  So, declutter is the opposite action, it is to arrange things and make it orderly. It means to order things, to put things in place where they belong. But then, what does organize mean? Do they have the same meaning?

Let’s analyze what organize means in this context. It means, “To put together into an orderly, functional, structured whole”.

So when we organize, what we are doing is to put things in place (decluttering) in a structure with an efficient and functional way (organizing).

I would say then, we should declutter the rooms of our homes in an organized way, the smart way. So the definition of organization supplements very well the concept of declutter definition.

When I read about decluttering, it is always mixed with organization because it is a complement of it, that’s why people uses declutter and organize almost indistinctly.

Another word that supplements the declutter definition is “clean”. It seems that when you declutter an area, it looks more clean but it does not mean that the area is cleaned.

Clean is the action of get rid of dirt, soil, dust, etc. So it is advised that you clean the area when you declutter, it will be healthier for you and your family. Do you see how cleaning also supplements the decluttering action?

Now, there is another definition that sometimes I see when I look for clutter and is ”hoarding”, let see what this word really means. In any dictionary you will find that hoarding means “to keep (as one’s thoughts to oneself)”.

There are different levels of hoarding, but an overall a hoarder is more extreme in accruing clutter thinking that his or her things are more valuable in money or not so valuable in money terms but emotionally important.

Most of hoarders people have a psychological problem that need to be addressed. If you are in this category, you need some psychologist to help you out, don’t procrastinate in contact him or her. You will be doing a favor to yourself.

I hope you find this article informational and have a better idea of what declutter is.