Messy Home? Niecy Nash Cleans House on GMA!
Actress and comedienne gives tips for busting that clutter.
June 30, 2010 — -- This morning you saw actress and comedienne Niecy Nash on "Good Morning America."
Nash, who recently competed on ABC's "Dancing with the Stars," won an Emmy award this year for her work as host of the Style Network's "Clean House," which helps families de-clutter and reclaim rooms in their homes that are overwhelmed by their possessions. Tonight, "Clean House" reveals its "Messiest Home in the Country" in a special two-hour season finale on Style.
On "GMA," Nash shared some tips for how you can de-clutter your home.
Keep It or Chuck It?
Scenario: You have some old clothes that have sentimental value -- a bridesmaid's dress, a cheerleader uniform or a football helmet. You won't ever wear them again. What to do?
Niecy Says: Chuck it. If you get rid of them, you don't lose the memory. Keep a picture of yourself wearing the outfit or item, or take a picture of the item, then donate it to charity.
Scenario: Your children's school-age art and written work have piled up over the years. What do you do?
Niecy Says: Keep the most recent picture in a frame for display. Celebrate your child's achievement, then rotate it when the next mini-masterpiece comes along. Then chuck the old picture. Don't worry that you're throwing away a memory. Your children will remember your praise more than they will remember the picture with macaroni and glitter glued on it.
Scenario: You've accumulated stacks and stacks of magazines with recipes you think you'll get to one day. What do you do?
Niecy Says: We are living in the age of modern technology. Scan the article -- or rip it out if you don't have a scanner and put it in a binder -- and chuck the magazine. Do it right away or you'll just have piles of papers everywhere, and that's just as bad.
Web-extra tips:
WATCH the web extra tips from Niecy by clicking here.
Scenario: You collect lots of stuff, snow globes, vinyl records, you name it. Should you hang on to them?
Niecy Says: There's nothing wrong with having a collection, but it becomes a problem when it overwhelms your space. When you're not displaying it properly, you're not enjoying it and it turns into clutter. Once friends and family hear you're collecting snow globes, for example, you'll keep getting, and snow globes are souvenirs of someone else's vacation. Chuck or donate the snow globes and go on a trip instead. No one's playing records anymore, so find your favorite and frame it, then get rid of the rest -- try selling or donating them.
Scenario: You've had that pile of jeans for a while now. They don't fit anymore. Do you keep them?
Niecy Says: You can keep it If it's one size too big or too small for you, donate it. Chuck or donate those size 4s that you'll never get into again. They're just taking cluttering up your closet. If you ever do hit a size 4 again, treat yourself to a stylish new pair of jeans. You'll deserve it! The rule of thumb is, if you haven't worn it in a year and it's in good condition, donate it.