Time to Declutter

As the seasons change, it’s a good moment to replace those summer shirts with cozy sweaters and maybe take a look around your home to reorganize and tidy up. It’s a chore that many of us tend to delay—perhaps since those pumpkins started showing up on porches. Thankfully, home expert Robin Antill has a surprisingly simple tip for deciding what to keep and what to toss out, whether it’s clothing or household goods.

“Throughout the day, turn over everyday items like books, shoes, mugs, and picture frames,” Antill advises. “Then, when you’re ready to use them the next day, return them to their original positions. This way, you can easily see what you use frequently and what’s just taking up space.”

The same technique can be applied to your closet. “Flip all the hangers in your wardrobe to face backwards,” the expert suggests. After wearing something, just hang it back the right way. Antill recommends giving this method a bit of time; in a few months, you’ll clearly see which clothes you haven’t touched.

While you’re on this decluttering journey, be cautious about certain popular cleaning methods. For instance, using a cleaning product like “Fabuloso” in the toilet bowl can create a pleasant scent, but experts warn it could actually lead to problems. “We advise against placing Fabuloso or similar all-purpose cleaners behind the toilet tank,” they say. “These products can be corrosive and might degrade the rubber gaskets and seals inside the tank.” This could lead to leaks, potential flushing issues, and, well, an unexpected spike in your water bill.

Despite these warnings, some plumbers have humorously hinted on social media that they hope homeowners continue making this mistake so they can stay in business. “This is my wish—so I can be a plumber for life,” one plumber joked. And the growing search results, “don’t put Fabuloso in the toilet,” show that this advice is certainly getting around.