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The Clutter Remedy: A Guide to Getting Organized for Those Who Love Their Stuff

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The Way to a Perpetually Organized Lifestyle

There are many valid approaches to creating neat and tidy spaces, but these approaches tend to fail over time because they suggest that we dispose of our stuff, and most of us love our stuff! Marla Stone’s fresh and friendly approach, based on her work as both a professional organizer and a former psychotherapist, goes beyond tidying up to offer the Clutter Remedy strategy that will create spaces you love and keep you perpetually organized. Marla walks you through a process of getting to know yourself and your values and then visualizing your ideal lifestyle and optimal surroundings. From that perspective, you’ll learn step by step (and room by room) how to create your ideal lifestyle and organize your space to support it.

176 pages, Paperback

First published December 3, 2019

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204 people want to read

About the author

Marla Stone

1 book5 followers
Marla Stone is a former social worker turned professional organizer who helps people DeClutter their emotional challenges as well as their space. She loves interior design, feng shui, Decluttering and space planning. Her business i-deal-lifestyle helps with organizing homes and businesses and transforming lives with the goal of living an ideal lifestyle. She loves to laugh through the process of decluttering rather than trudging through it.

Stone became a first time author with The Clutter Remedy: A Guide To Getting Organized For Those Who Love Their Stuff.

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5 stars
50 (26%)
4 stars
21 (11%)
3 stars
72 (38%)
2 stars
28 (15%)
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15 (8%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
Profile Image for Panda Incognito.
4,722 reviews96 followers
December 15, 2019
I appreciate this book's attention to the emotional dimensions of clutter, but the author spends more time talking about identifying and fulfilling your dreams than she does about organizing your stuff. She has some good advice, like when she encourages people to use language that encourages action and competence ("I will fold the laundry") instead of stress and obligation ("I need to fold the laundry"), but even though insights like this are worthwhile, the book is too focused on external life goals and emotional evaluations to appeal to me. It might be the right thing for some people, but given that the subtitle is "A Guide to Getting Organized for Those Who Love their Stuff," not "A Guide to Discovering Your Dreams and Finding Emotional Peace," I was disappointed.

The authors of most decluttering guides assume that if your organizational systems aren't working, you just need to get rid of more things. Given the proposed subject of this book, I expected the author to share her secrets for managing large collections without becoming a minimalist, but alas, no. When she finally gets around to talking about organization, her renowned and much-hyped Clutter Remedy boils down to sorting everything you own into "finely tuned categories" and storing the stuff in drawers, furniture, and plastic boxes. This is not what I was looking for!

Although the author's background as a psychotherapist shines through at times, like when she includes information about how mental issues like OCD and ADD affect a sufferer's ability to evaluate and deal with clutter, her mental health focus often obscures her messages, because she is more interested in telling stories about clients who overcame their emotional baggage than in advising you on how to get your house in order. She also talks about dream interpretation, shares her thoughts on the importance of developing a spiritual path, and includes doozies like the following:

"Keep toilet lids down and drains covered: Leave toilet seats and lids down and cover drains in order to protect your energy (or chi) from going down the drain, along with your health, wealth, knowledge, health, and other valuables. In addition, close the door to all bathrooms when you leave."

I read this about six times, marveling over the fact that someone could publish this alongside reminders to change out dead lightbulbs and clean their mirrors. Sure, she offered spiritual reasons for those tasks, too, but the value of keeping up your house is obvious. With this audacious statement, you'd expect some explanation of why she thinks your knowledge and wealth will go down your toilet and drains, but she just states it as a self-evident fact!

I'm going to be generous and give this book two stars, since I am deeply touched by its inclusion of OCD and like its message about changing the language people use regarding clutter and housework, but I would never recommend this book to anyone. If someone wants a general guide to getting their house in order, I recommend New Minimalism: Decluttering and Design for Sustainable, Intentional Living, and if someone is interested in exploring the emotional dimensions of why they over-accumulate or struggle to get rid of things, I highly encourage them to read Making Space, Clutter Free: The Last Book on Decluttering You'll Ever Need. Even though The Clutter Remedy has some good points, it isn't worth anyone's time when there are so many better books on the market.
Profile Image for Cherie.
295 reviews
May 12, 2021
Don’t waste your time. This book actually reads more like an infomercial for itself by often repeating cliche phrases like, “With The Clutter Remedy Strategy you can recognize your personal truth.” It contains endless amounts of redundancies, often stating the same thing several times in a row, just with different word order. It’s also NOT for the average person. It caters more to wealthy audiences that need a healthy dose of self-help mixed in.

Over a third of the book is all about the various psychological reasons why someone builds up clutter to the point of hoarding, and how to mentally prepare for the decluttering process. The next part of the book talks about how to physically prepare, and this is when it becomes clear it’s meant for a more wealthy audience with advice like, “buy as many containers as you can afford” BEFORE decluttering, invest in custom shelving, consult with a stylist, etc.. The author also repeats that the goal isn’t to get rid of stuff, but to have it all visible, which seems counter to the whole concept of decluttering. Then contradicts herself by saying if there isn’t enough room to have everything visible, just put it back in a closet somewhere - again, counter to the decluttering concept.

The method for decluttering actually sounds like a hot mess. Pull everything out of its original container, and re-containerize in plastic bags that you put in general category bins. I would literally lose everything, and it is exceedingly wasteful to constantly use plastic bags and bins for everything. And I am truly baffled as to why a person needs to store their plastic container lids in plastic bags when there are easier, more accessible ways to store them.

The author also throws in personal advice on the types of health and beauty products one should own, which has NO place in a book on decluttering. And the advice to keep medication out of sight because it “tells your subconscious to get sick” is so ill-conceived I almost stopped reading right there.

Advice for invigorating your space and arranging rooms doesn’t have anything to do with decorating or lighting, instead it’s about superstition - loose doorknobs symbolize loose friendships, fame depends on keeping houseplants alive, keep the toilet lid down or your wealth will go down the drain, if your work deals with “ugly” information hide it so you only see positive things, get rid of art of Elvis because he died and that’s sad, don’t have any art of single things because they’re alone and that’s sad, having your couch face away from the door is bad for your health. This whole section was garbage.

The entire last section of the book circles back around to psychological blocks when decluttering. It’s basically a repeat of the first third of the book with the exception of a far flung dream symbology section, and a section on hoarding without actually using the term “hoarding” (which denies a legitimate mental health issue), and the painfully increasing pushes to hire a “Clutter Remedy expert” who knows the “Clutter Remedy strategy” as if the constant marketing-style reminders for using the “Clutter Remedy” method wasn’t enough.

Save yourself the grief and eye-rolls, and don’t bother with this book.
1 review
November 30, 2019
The book is focused on a pressing but yet surprisingly sparingly approached issue of dealing with clutter at home. Though The Clutter Remedy is much more than just a step-by-step tutorial of getting rid of the things you don't need. One of the key highlights of the book that makes it a must-read, is that it provides an in-depth study on why we hoard things. The author reveals the inner psychological processes in us that manifest themselves in a form of cluttered living spaces. As someone with a family history of hoarding starting from my grandmother, this is definitely the book of the year for me.
Profile Image for Lorraine Scott.
Author 1 book
December 1, 2019
The Clutter Remedy Review

In her book “The Clutter Remedy” Marla Stone says, “Clutter camouflage can lead to unintentional and directionless life.” More than just a book telling you how organize and categorize your stuff (although she does this too) – Marla encourages you to determine your core values, remove negative feelings and become comfortable with your younger self before trying to tackle the intimate and emotional task of de-cluttering. Full of tips and helpful lists, this book is more than just a “do this but not that” book; it’s a psychological cleansing.

252 reviews
March 2, 2020
Having read a lot of home organization books over the years, I will admit to reading many ideas for accomplishing the same goal of a neat, well-organized home. This book added in a number of reasons why organizing is good, but they were a little out there. Everyone is entitled to their own set of beliefs, but I don't think my life force will run down the uncovered drains in my house. While I could have ignored these philosophical differences, the writing was boring and did nothing to capture my interest. Mostly, I felt it was a waste of paper.
Profile Image for Adrienne Organa.
390 reviews5 followers
March 2, 2020
I got about half way through this book, mostly skimming, and just couldn't finish it. I was bored, it was slow, and it just didn't resonate with me.
Profile Image for Jackie.
1 review
January 16, 2026
The Clutter Remedy” is a wonderful book that I really enjoyed reading and I give it five stars. This book focuses on a unique approach towards removing clutter in your life. Instead of seeing clutter as an organizational issue, it reframes clutter as a personal and emotional challenge such as security (I might need this someday) or identity reinforcement (objects tied to past roles and jobs).
The book not only focuses on the emotional side to keeping clutter in our lives but also provides a step by step strategy towards fixing the clutter problem in your life. It challenges beliefs such as “Keeping it honors the memory” or “I’ll become this version of myself again someday”. For me, this latter belief resonated with me the most as from personal experience, I know that my closet was full of decades of clothes all from times in the past when I had a different career and a more high paying job which had the dress code of fancy suits and high heeled shoes. My belief was that by keeping these clothes, I would one be able to go back to work into the corporate world which was somehow more prestigious than being a teacher which I am today and someone who does not need or wear suits to work. This book gave me the insight to challenge and change this thinking and helped me to finally detach from these clothes and shoes and understand they do not determine my future self worth. I had placed too much emphasis of my self worth from ownership of these clothes. Being able to get rid of these clothes has been a wonderful experience for me and allows me to live in the present.
The Clutter Remedy is a must read for all and I highly recommend it. Too learn that clutter is often a symptom of emotional, cognitive, or behavioral patterns and not a lack of storage or discipline as we typically define it is breathtaking and truly refreshing. Read this book and it will change your life!
1 review
March 12, 2020
I have worked on getting organized for so long I almost gave up until I read this book. I have used professional organizers in the past, friends, family but I still was cluttered and could not find my way out of my mess. The book helped me uncover most of the reasons why I could not get through my stuff without creating more mess along the way. Understanding that my childhood, and past wounds have contributed to my messy home and office was a huge eye opener. I was able to use the clearing and healing technique and it worked. I feel so much lighter and healed from things that have bothered me for years. Connecting how I talk to myself with my lack of motivation and follow through was key to me finally getting everything I own in it's proper place. But the most intriguing thing of all is how the book describes in chapter 3 exactly how the author organizes space. It is so detailed that I was able to do most of it myself. I hired movers to move the heavy furniture I wanted in different places but I was able to go through everything I own and realize what was going to stay and what was going with the criteria outlined in the book. Shocker how simple it was to make good decisions instead of decisions I would have regretted. I can't say enough about how this book has changed EVERY aspect of my life. Thank you Marla Stone The Clutter Remedy is a life saver.
Profile Image for Tammy Bauer Cooper.
1 review
January 9, 2026
The Clutter Remedy offers a refreshingly practical approach to organized decluttering by focusing on small, manageable actions rather than overwhelming clean-outs. The author emphasizes understanding why clutter accumulates, which makes the process feel more intentional and sustainable. Clear systems and realistic routines help readers maintain order long after the initial decluttering is done. The guidance is straightforward, supportive, and easy to apply to everyday life. Overall, it’s an empowering read for anyone looking to create lasting organization without stress.
1 review
January 9, 2026
Great information. The author has a nice list of remedies for a home of clutter.

I appreciate the stories, the chapters, and the psychological advice.

I have 3 kids and pets. I have a lot of stuff. This helped me!
Profile Image for Kathleen.
299 reviews8 followers
August 11, 2022
Judgy unhelpful BS and pseudo psychology.
1 review
March 12, 2020
I am ADHD and usually get distracted while reading most books, although "The Clutter Remedy" by Marla Stone was a very fascinating and informative read for me... It opened my mind to a new way of thinking and brought order on how to organize my stuff... The book also has a psychological aspect of why we tend to Clutter, and a Solution on how to release the negative patterns that bind us... This book is a great read for clearing and organizing your life.
1 review
March 16, 2020
Awesome book! This book has great tips and techniques on how to stay organized and has helped me greatly. I highly recommend it!
Profile Image for Paula.
670 reviews15 followers
April 10, 2020
The author has some good points and tools. I don’t like the idea of buying a bunch of totes, supplies etc. before you start. It seems like a waste of time and money. It makes more sense to sort through than you have an accurate list of what you need. In this approach, I felt like more things could have been parted with. I much prefer Marie Kondo’s plan.
1 review1 follower
December 1, 2019
This is a great read for anyone needing to get better organized that wants to KEEP their stuff but easily locate it when needed. But what’s better is Marla teaches you how to showcase the things you really love and want to see every day. It is written in a very easy to follow, step by step process. I think everyone could benefit from reading it, organization is the key to a busy life! Especially as a working parent!
1 review
November 29, 2019
Just finished The Clutter Remedy book packed with not only tips to get organized but a clear path to my true destination in life. All the times I attempted to get my garage organized or my tools or my desk never really stuck. In one day the strategy Marla Stone explains actually makes perfect sense and I realize now it’s the only way to live clutter free. I’m passing this stuff on to everyone I know including my employees. I liked the last chapter most about what can block you from staying organized.
1 review
November 29, 2019
Finally..... a real solution!
Whether you live in a mansion with a designated “clutter room” or a tiny house where one thing out of place creates instant clutter, the practical, clever solutions in this book will get you organized forever!
After reading Marla Stone’s book, I was so inspired to get started that I skipped Black Friday and began organizing!
Thank you for a great remedy to the clutter in our lives!
Kathie D...... A Tiny House resident
1 review
November 30, 2019
Love LOVE this book... it was not just about clutter which I originally thought. It has taught me so much about myself and I am very grateful for having the opportunity to read it. I am buying one for all my friends and family since I believe it will benefit them and their lives. Thanks !!!
1 review
November 29, 2019
Love the psychological aspect to cleaning out the clutter! Always impressed by authors who write to the many levels we operate on. Succinct, articulate and a quick read that will improve your life if you follow its principles.
2 reviews
December 26, 2019
The book straightened out everything about my life and my space. New author Marla Stone was a social worker and psychotherapist for a total of 17 years. She knows people and figured out how to help them in every way possible.

The introduction is clear about what to expect from the book. The first chapter goes over inner emotional clutter issues with specific techniques to heal deep emotional wounds. I cleared up something bothering me from childhood. Marla Stone, the author, worked with military personnel at Camp Pendleton and has a strong grasp on ptsd (post traumatic stress disorder) and many other challenges such as ocd (obsessive compulsive disorder, depression and grief and loss which is related in the last chapter.

The Cluttet Remedy is the total solution everyone has been looking for in order to get organized permanently.

Healing inner clutter first then onto her strategies which are extremely different then Marie Kondo method which I did use but with zero success. I could not make clear decisions thinking about joy. But with The Clutter Remedy clear and concise criteria for what to keep and all the fabulous strategies it took me half the time I thought it would to go through all my stuff and with no regrets. The process was so organized too. No piles of stuff. No maybe piles. No push to get rid of stuff. Just getting super clear about things that matter. I love how Stone says “Matter matters.” Very orderly way finely tuning things and going through everything I owned. I knew there was a way to get Uber organized and stone figured it out. I always wanted to be this organized and keep it up and it’s a life changer.

After choosing what I wanted to keep I then was given a myriad of possibilities for how to store everything and then a whole chapter on organizing seasonally and then room by room. The way she teaches you how to set up a home or business space was remarkable. My space is a welcome paradise now instead of a hodgepodge. I’m no longer searching for my things but have certainty about everything I own and where it’s stashed.

The last chapter as I mentioned really helped me understand hoarding disorder and add (attention deficit disorder) in such a spectacular way. I had no idea why some of my friends and family had so much stuff and such cluttered and messy spaces. It’s all clear now why, and how people even with a mammoth amount of stuff could get organized without any drama at all. This will change how professionals work with people who have hoarding disorder since it’s not focused on getting rid of things.

This book taught me more about myself than any self help book I’ve ever read and about changing how I think and communicate with myself and others. It’s a very, very layered book that is so easy to read. Total time to read was 5 1/2 hours and I never put it down except for a few quick breaks. It was so engaging. I have recommended it to my friends, family and colleagues. It’s a must read and has changed my whole perspective on life.

Back to the first chapter. I figured out how to have the most ideal lifestyle that I always dreamed of having. Hopefully Marla Stone will do a television show in order to show how organizing is truly done properly.
4 reviews3 followers
November 29, 2019
This is a great book if you want to organize your life and your thoughts! Highly recommend!
1 review
February 11, 2020
Excellent Book!!!! I Love it!!!!! The author explains fabulously the emotional side to wanting to keep clutter and "stuff". I had no idea until now why I hang on to certain things while others are easy to toss. She explains super effective ways to keep things organized in an easy to follow plan. It REALLY WORKS!!!!!

I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book, not only to friends who want to get and stay organized but to everyone. There are so many jewels of knowledge in the book on so many levels... both organizational and emotional!!!!

Loved it!!!!
🥂Cheers & Happy Reading!!!!
Wendy Corry
3 reviews
February 11, 2020
A readable book helping you to find a way through your stuff. Not only that but gives insight as to why this problem is a problem foryou; or you may use this insightful book to help a friend who doesn’t see or understand their own clutter
Profile Image for Rachel.
284 reviews6 followers
June 16, 2020
A clean and organized house usually produces a calm and happy environment for people; for most people though, they equate an organized space as having minimal items. Marla Stone is here to tell you that you've got it all wrong. With a background in social work and as a psychotherapist, Stone's advice centers around the idea that to keep up with an organized external living space, you must keep up with your internal living space. There is not much hope of keeping your things, however much or little, in an organized fashion, if you still need to be working on yourself to appreciate the things you have. Filled with self-help tips, as well as advice on how to organize your home based on the room and items, Stone's words of wisdom can be useful for anyone if they will allow the help.
Just hearing the title, I assumed it would be a book with pictures and ideas for organizing your home, but instead, it's a book with life advice, tips, and useful organizational skills all presented in the text. I believe every word that Stone has to say, and know that it can help so many people on their journey to a cleaner home and life.
Profile Image for C..
Author 11 books48 followers
May 28, 2022
The Clutter Remedy is an excellent source of information to help you bring focus and clarity to your home, relationships, mindfulness, and stuff. The author provides a vast amount of information, including cases she has worked on. She explains how and why we should seek to be organized. Later in the books, she delves into what causes some to be mentally stifled and unable to release items.

in addition to his to organize, the author discusses clutter bugs, collectors, hoarders, Feng shui, dream meanings and why it might be a good idea to work with professionally. She suggests a therapist, interior designer and professional designer to implement permanent changes and improve your quality of life, environment, family interactions and piece of mind. This book has a lot of information and is full of helpful tidbits.
1 review
December 20, 2019
Love this book! Marla Stone really knows her stuff and I have personally seen her in action in someone’s home. She can transform a space and has a plan put in place to help the client stay organized and love his or her space! This is a must read especially when you learn about wants vs. needs.


1,442 reviews1 follower
November 1, 2020
This is the wackiest, psycho-babbliest book on decluttering I’ve ever seen.

I recommend instead: “Making Space, Clutter Free” and “Decluttering at the Speed of Life”

(Of course, if either of those books were perfect I wouldn’t still be on the look out for more decluttering books. Maybe I do need the psycho-babble after all?)
1 review
August 20, 2021
The Clutter Remedy is intensely practical, giving you a huge toolkit of organized and named strategies you can apply immediately to create and strengthen positive habits and stop the negative ones. The author, Marla Stone, shares knowledge, understanding and experience in a masterful book that can enrich readers’ lives in many ways. Don’t pass this book by; it’s well-worth your time!
Profile Image for Laurie.
255 reviews
July 25, 2020
This book addresses emotional issues that may make it difficult to get going on de-cluttering. There is also helpful organizing advice but it's strength is helping one to achieve an action mind-set.
1 review
October 15, 2020
I absolutely love this book! I was surprised how the author intertwined the practical with the inspirational. As I read it, I was surprisingly moved and inspired , as well as the very practical steps Marla Stone lays out to declutter your home and much more
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews

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