Step 5: Do It All Over Again
Have you ever noticed shampoo bottles always say "wet hair, lather, rinse, repeat"? If you follow those circular instructions, you'll be shampooing your hair until the end of time.

Not so with the kick start, but you will need to move through your house methodically, getting rid of unnecessary clutter until you've done every room. Only then will you be ready for the hard part—letting go of the stuff that feels valuable or important.

This quick purge is just a primer, but it will fill you with excitement and a real sense of what conquering clutter can achieve. Now that you've cleared away the first level of clutter, you're ready to tackle the real issues. Open up your space and unclutter your mind!

If you know what your vision is for your space, it's time to choose a room.


More from Peter Walsh
Quiz: Do you have a clutter problem? 
How to tidy up the way you think about clutter
10 steps to a perfectly organized home office
Peter's cleanup action plan for the entire family