Day 26 – Decluttering Tips for Your Toolbox
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Originally published January 26, 2016 and updated January 2018 and 2024.
We’re in our final week of the 31 Days of 10-minute Decluttering Tips Challenge. Welcome to Day 26. Our goal is to eliminate things we don’t need from our lives and home so that we can better enjoy life. Today we’ll work on the items in our toolbox. Let’s see what we want to keep and what needs to be purged so that we can clear clutter today.
Whether you have tools in a toolbox or not, you have some tools somewhere in your house. We don’t usually think about tools until we need them. Often after using tools, we’re exhausted or distracted so we just toss them back and don’t take time to organize them. Keeping tools organized make it less frustrating the next time you run to the toolbox looking for a specific tool or item that you need. And organized tools makes it easier for you to identify what items you need to add to your toolbox.
Clearing Clutter – Tips for Decluttering the Tool Box
Grab the 6 decluttering bags you created earlier and your copy of the free printable Decluttering Clutter Checklist. Let’s head to where you keep your tools. Depending on how many tools you have and how you have them organized, you may find it it easier to bring the tools to a table to go through.
Take Everything Out- Keep in mind we’re doing this in 10 minutes. Only take out as much as you can go through in that time. Lay the items you take out on a table or on the floor. You may want to cover your work surface before you take your items out.
Group Like Items Together – Quickly group like items together. Go through and pick all those nails, screws and small items out of the corners of the toolbox. Place all small items together in groups of similar items. Place all screwdrivers together, place all pliers together, and so on.
Evaluate – Look at each group you’ve created. Are there any categories you don’t need? Are there any broken items. Are there too many items in any categories? Do you have tools you borrowed and need to return? You may keep items that serve a unique purpose even if you haven’t used them in years if you may realistically have a situation to use that tool again in the future.
Purge – Remove items you don’t need to keep and place them in one of your 6 purging bags.
Put Everything Away – Put the items you’ve decided to keep back away. Take the time to place all small items in containers so that you can find them the next time you need them.
DIY Tool Organizing Ideas
You can use the no-cost ideas I shared in Eco-Friendly Battery Storage Organizer to organize the small items in your toolbox.
You could make your own toolbox and organizers from repurposed containers like I did with this DIY Pool Storage.
Toolbox Organizing Products
We all know that your tool collection will grow and change over time so you organizing should be able to change also. When considering purchasing toolbox organizing products, it’s essential to look for customizable solutions that can adapt to your specific needs. Modular and adjustable organizers allow you to arrange and rearrange tools as needed, ensuring maximum efficiency and utilization of space.
Consider the ease of access when selecting toolboxes and organization. You want designs that provide clear visibility and quick retrieval of tools, saving time and minimizing frustration during projects. Look for features such as transparent lids, sliding drawers, and easy-grip handles to streamline your workflow.
When you on customization, durability, and accessibility in your selection process, you can invest in products that enhance not only the organization but also the functionality of your workspace so you can spend more time on your projects with less frustration.
We’ve done it. Day 26 is done. Hang in there with me to finish up this last week. Join me tomorrow for Day 27 in the 31 Days of 10-Minute Decluttering Tips challenge. Let’s purge some more so you can make room to enjoy life more.
Find all my decluttering tips, printables and challenges in the table below. You can scroll though the table and look for ideas or search for specific ideas with the magnifying glass in the upper right-hand corner (on desktop). Click on the topic and then click through the specific article.
I’m a mom of 3, a veteran, military spouse. I’ve moved into 20+ homes all around the world. My passion is helping busy people make the space and time for what’s really important to them. Learn more about Organized 31 and me.
Great tips Susan! I have been purging lots in January and it feels so good!
Thanks, Raquel. I agree that purging and organizing makes me feel so happy, especially when I’m trapped inside with the bad weather.
Good one, Susan. I tend to find tools scattered all over homes, do you? Sometimes a toolbox, simple at is is, is needed!
I put the tools away (most of the time), Seana, but I’m often chasing after the ones my family members leave out. I gave my husband a toolbox for our second Christmas toghether (he wasn’t as excited about it as I was 🙂 )