Do walls in common living spaces need to be cleaned before picking up clutter?

In the context of maintaining common living spaces, the emphasis on cleanliness and organization suggests that cleaning is often associated with a subsequent organizational effort such as picking up clutter. However, the approach to tidying up depends on the specific circumstances and the intended outcome.

When considering whether walls need to be cleaned before picking up clutter, it's important to recognize that the primary focus of organizing a space is typically on the items that are out of place rather than the walls themselves. For instance, walls may not accumulate significant amounts of clutter and therefore do not require cleaning as a prerequisite for organizing the space. Instead, the act of decluttering can often be more effective when it emphasizes immediate visual and physical organization, such as removing excess items or sorting belongings, without necessarily addressing wall cleanliness first.

Thus, the conclusion is that it is not required to clean walls before engaging in the task of picking up clutter in common living spaces. This aligns with practical priorities in home organization, where the focus is often placed on the floor and surfaces that directly impact the usability and appearance of the space.