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An expert cleaner has shared four easy steps to follow when decluttering your home this May. Cleaning can seem like a never-ending chore, but it's essential for keeping on top of things in your house. Sian Pelleschi, President of the Association of Professional Declutterers and Organisers, has revealed a 15-minute hack set to transform your home this spring.

Sian says: "Sometimes it's down to busy lives or lack of time, but mainly clutter builds up because of a lack of good systems and processes in the home. Without those in place, it's very hard to stay on top of things, and people may find themselves tackling a lot more mess than necessary."

She says setting a simple timer is a no-effort trick that gets you moving. Committing to just 15 minutes makes the task feel manageable, and the ticking clock creates just enough pressure to stop you from procrastinating and begin the process.

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A recent survey by David Wilson Homes found that more than one in five homeowners are overwhelmed by decluttering.

Around 57% of UK homeowners declutter their homes a few times a year or less, whilst 20% do so monthly and 22% weekly. But a huge 21% put the task off.

To help combat struggling, Sian says homeowners should focus on one surface area that's built up with clutter.

Clear the rubbish first, then decide what needs to go, then group items by where they live in the house.

She says you should stay in that spot for the full 15 minutes using a timer to help you keep moving and to stop you getting distracted.

When clutter builds up, the instinct is often to buy more storage, but Sian warns that adding extra rails and boxes to an already overwhelmed space is unlikely to solve the problem.

• Know your end goal - decide what you want to achieve before you start

• Start small - tackle one area at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed

• Have an exit plan - whether that's a charity bag, a recycling point, or selling online, know where items are going before they leave the house

• Make it a habit - regular declutters throughout the year mean that when you want to do a bigger clean, you're already halfway there