Declutter Your Home With TikTok’s Viral “Core 4” Method
There is a difference between cleaning and organizing. If you have too much stuff (clutter), it will be much more difficult to sweep, dust, disinfect, and actually clean, and your home will never look clean. But decluttering is much more difficult than tidying up. It’s even tiring, so the mess can get out of control, making cleaning an almost impossible task. That’s why we’re always looking for new ways to restore order: after all, someone cracked the code, right? As it turns out, it could have been organizer Kaylin Kelly . Her Core 4 method is hugely popular on TikTok and may be right for you. (Check out all the other professional decluttering techniques for more inspiration.)
What is core 4?
Kelly’s Core 4 cleanse method is a big hit on CleanTok : One analysis Upmove sent me shows that videos about the technique have received over 23 million views. Here’s the video that started it all:
When decluttering, Kelly suggests going through each room in four steps: clear , classify , cut, and maintain .
How to use Core 4 to get organized
If you want to try Core 4 on your own, Kelly advises starting with small areas so you don’t get overwhelmed. Instead of trying to complete each step throughout your entire home at once, complete all four steps in one room, then repeat the process in each room. If there are a lot of things in one room, you can separate them further by focusing first on a closet or counter, for example.
Put away
Start the first phase, which is cleaning, by simply putting everything away and putting it in a pile. Throw away trash if you see it, but focus on making sure your cabinets, tables and other storage areas are completely cleared out so they can be restocked in a more organized manner later.
Classify
Next, classify. To do this, you’ll need sorting containers (more on this later), so assign a container to each category of items you move through, such as your clothes, a family member’s clothes, cosmetics, knick-knacks, pet supplies, etc. Start sorting your pile by putting each item in the appropriate bin.
Cut
The third phase is “cut out”. This is challenging because you will be tasked with going through each bin and determining what can be thrown away or donated. This is a good time to practice decluttering “purgatory” – moving things you’re unsure about getting rid of into a special bin that you hide somewhere, like the attic, for a month to see if you can live without them. Otherwise, be decisive and do your best to reduce the number of items in each basket. Here’s a list of questions I recommend asking yourself as you declutter so you can focus on making objective, smart decisions.
Contain
Finally, contain. Reassess the trash can situation. If you’ve thrown out a bunch of old kitchen tools, you may be able to put the remaining ones in a smaller container. Baskets play a key role here: you’ll use them for storage and organization later on, not just for sorting and organizing as you complete steps.
Things to consider when using Core 4
Core 4 builds on principles that you’ll also find in a wider range of organization and decluttering methods. In particular, it works well because it relies on the principles that make up the Organizational Triangle , namely that similar items should be kept together, and everything you own should have a designated place. Containers are crucial because they keep everything categorized and stored together, and because they give you a sense of volume. For example, if all of your skin care products are stored in a bin, you’ll notice that you don’t have enough space to add more, which could signal to you that you need to declutter and pare down your collection. If they are scattered all over your bathroom and vanity, it will be much more difficult for you to notice that you have too many.
While containers are important and valuable, they also pose a bit of a problem: With everything packed and hidden, the containers themselves can become cluttered. You’ll still need to repeat the Core 4 technique periodically over time, focusing on the “tidying up” phase and throwing out trash cans so you don’t end up with a pile of small, invisible clutter inside your closets and closets. Another approach you can use is the ” open air ” method, which is very similar but involves throwing every item from every closet or cupboard in the room directly into the center of the space and then walking through it. The extent to which you enter the “cleanse” phase while still using Core 4 is really up to you, but I recommend moving in smaller increments to avoid becoming overwhelmed.
What containers will you need?
It may seem counterintuitive to buy more stuff to declutter, but to use this method, you actually need trash cans. They make sorting easier and also give you a place to store things you decide to keep, helping you stay organized so you don’t have to keep repeating Core 4. Here are a few bin options to consider:
Classic storage containers
If you’re focused on pure functionality, there’s nothing better for the job than clear plastic containers with lids. They fold and stack, so whether they’re empty or full, storing them is easy and intuitive. Try Amazon’s IRIS containers, which come in a six-pack of 53-liter containers ($69.99) for larger items or categories and in a 20-pack of 5.9-liter containers ($28.99) for smaller needs.
Decorative storage containers
If you live in a small space where trash cans are likely to be visible, or you simply prioritize aesthetics, you’ll need more decorative trash cans. Your best bet is to buy sets of matching boxes, like this small and large box set on Wayfair for $58.99, which is available in a variety of colors and designs. Collapsible fabric boxes, like this set of three from Amazon ($29.95), are also a good option because they can be folded up when not in use and fit well on shelving.