I Am Modern recently interviewed Matt Iseman, the go-to-guy on Style Network's hit show, Clean House. He was quick, engaging, and funny . . . all the things you’d expect from a physician turned comedian turned television host. But he was more than that. The hour-long conversation with Matt was essentially a crash course in organization and clutter elimination. Matt is not just an actor. Instead, he and his Clean House co-hosts are true clutter experts. And while they can clown around with the best, they’re all business when it comes to a messy home.

The show’s cast members maintain a simple philosophy: if clutter is controlling your life, Clean House can help. In fact, while the Clean House team is presently on a nationwide hunt for the messiest home in America, the cast and crew would welcome the opportunity to de-clutter some homes right here in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.

But maybe you’re not quite at the “messiest home” stage. Or . . . perhaps you’re uneasy with the notion of your mother-in-law having documented proof that your home is, in fact, “messy.” No worries, we’ve got you covered. Matt Iseman and the Clean House team helped assemble some fabulous tips for organizing and de-cluttering your home. Fortunately, the road to less clutter doesn’t have to begin with a non-stop weekend of organizing and purging. Instead, there are things you can do each day—beginning today—to improve your home's overall organization. And if you start these practices today, when you do decide to spend a day or weekend on a mass over-haul, you’ll already have made some significant progress on the organizational front.

Simplify. This is even easier than it sounds. Make it a point to store everyday items where they're most accessible. This also means that belongings that merit only now-and-again use should occupy a spot that’s less than front-and-center. And when you come across that thing that you’ve haven’t needed in who-knows-when . . . well, you know what to do. Pitch it.

Shop for seven. Now and again, when you have a few spare minutes, grab an empty shopping bag and shop for seven unnecessary items in your home. Once you’ve found seven things, toss them. To the garbage or a recycling/donation bin, as appropriate. Remember to keep the shopping bag though; it’ll come in handy the next time you want to shop for seven.

Let it go. While it's normal to have overlapping projects, experts agree that it’s best to finish one project before moving on to the next. Few among us will return to projects we started long ago. But no worries . . . this is a perfect opportunity to take Matt’s advice: “Cut yourself a break, and get rid of it.” Clean as you go. All the time. Habitually. When you put things away as you go, you're less likely to develop piles of clutter. An easy “for instance,” is cooking. That’s right. As you cook, clean up the mess. It won't be any easier to clean up tomorrow.

Think. Really think about how each space will be best utilized. By dividing a room or space into zones and designating the zones with best uses, you'll know where to put things as you implement the put-away-as-you-go theory.

Rely on a friend. This one is hard, but worth the effort. Here’s how it works: Ask a friend—one that you cannot readily fib to—to come over and be an impartial judge. When she arrives, be ready to justify why you’re keeping the things that you’re unwilling to part with. You’ll be surprised by the efficacy of this approach, but you’ll find that when you’re unable to honestly justify something’s importance, it’s safe to part with. And once you’ve decided to part with something, stick to number seven. It’s the deal clincher.

Toss or donate immediately. Don’t bag your discards and place them in your garage. That’s just more clutter. Instead, throw away, recycle, or donate them today. For more information about Clean House or the messiest home contest, visit http://MyStyle.com/MyStyle/Shows/CleanHouse

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LEIGH MACDONALD is an attorney and former law professor, but nowadays, she's a freelance writer and Community Content Producer for WUSA9.com. She also doles out daily shoe and fashion advice at NiceShoesNoDrama.com. Leigh loves beautiful shoes, white chocolate, authentic smiles, and smart girlfriends. She lives in Leesburg, VA, with her husband and two children.