OUR experts - Ms Sherin Gill, owner of housekeeping service Spick N' Span International; Ms Adeline Goh, marketingand- communications manager of Howard's Storage World; and Ms Angie Koh, director of housekeeping service Amahs On Wheels - tell you the warning signs of whether you are a clutter nutter, too.
HOW TO TELL WHETHER YOU'RE A HOARDER
Your living space is filled with things you don't need, like old newspapers, plastic bags, old furniture and various other junk.
You feel the compulsive need to collect things that seem of little (if any) sentimental or monetary value, to the point that these objects start to take over your home.
You become anxious or angry at the mere suggestion of clearing items you've accumulated over the years, giving the excuse that you may need them someday.
You have clothes in your wardrobe that you haven't worn since 1989, and probably never will again.
You are the horror story which housekeepers share for a laugh. (Ms Gill once found a dead cat in a shoebox, for example.)
HOW TO BEAT THE CLUTTER
As a general rule of thumb, if you haven't touched or seen a particular item in a year, throw it away.
Work on tidying your home area by area, so you'll see the results and be inspired to tackle remaining rooms. For example, start on your bedroom and finish, before moving on to the dining room. Don't give up halfway, even if you are tempted.
Buy less, or only what's necessary.
Think about it. Do you really need 30 different shades of lipstick or five different spatulas?
Get friends or family members (with strong willpower preferably) to help you through the process and keep you from holding on to your junk.
Donate or sell unwanted, but still useable, items. The satisfaction you get from helping the less fortunate or making some money will help you feel that at least someone else will get to use the items, especially if you are not.
When all else fails, call for reinforcement (read: enlist the help of a professional). Let the experts turn your home from a mess to something you can be proud of.
