Join our free 31-day declutter challenge to transform your home and cluttered mind. Follow a daily plan to systematically declutter, creating a more organized, stress-free environment. Start the journey towards a clutter-free life today! Our step-by-step guide makes decluttering manageable and rewarding. Download the free printable checklist to track your decluttering challenge progress and celebrate your organized home!
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Are you tired of the clutter taking over your life? I know I am.
Things seem to be piling up at a fast speed with kids, pets, and the demands of working from home. Here’s the thing, I don’t have time or energy to continuously organize, clean, and search for things. Trying to declutter the entire home can seem like a daunting task.
When I try to sort items I have kids behind me creating a new mess. Thus, the chaotic cycle continues. There has to be an easier way to keep our homes tidy. Luckily, I have found a solution to live more with less.
Introducing the 31-day declutter challenge
Your daily mission is to spend a few minutes a day on a specific area to declutter. As you mark off each item, you will experience extra motivation to keep you going! The goal is to have a decluttered home at the end of the month (or after 31 days).
Why should parents spend time decluttering?
There are several reasons why parents should spend time decluttering:
- Enhances Quality Time with Kids: By decluttering, parents can create more time to play and engage with their children, which is a valuable gift to them.
- Reduces Stress and Overwhelm: Living in a cluttered and disorganized home can be stressful and overwhelming. Decluttering helps in creating a calm and serene environment which is beneficial for both parents and kids.
- Promotes Self-regulation in Kids: Tidying up is a self-regulation tool that kids can rely on. It teaches them responsibility and the importance of maintaining a clean environment.
- Improves Concentration and Behavior: A clutter-free space can help improve a child’s concentration and behavior. Less clutter means less interruption to children’s play.
- Saves Time and Increases Efficiency: A decluttered house is quicker and easier to clean, saving parents time and allowing them to get through chores more efficiently.
- Promotes Simplicity and Order: Once you begin to enjoy simplicity and order through decluttering, you’re likely to maintain it, creating a more harmonious living environment.
Questions to ask yourself when decluttering
When parents are decluttering, here are some questions they should consider:
- Does this item bring value to our family life? If an item doesn’t contribute positively to your family’s life, it might be time to let it go.
- Have we used this in the last year? Items that haven’t been used in a year probably won’t be missed.
- Is this item age-appropriate for our child/children? Kids outgrow toys, clothes, and books quickly. Regularly evaluate whether items are still suitable for their age.
- Does this item have a designated place in our home? If it doesn’t have a specific place, it can contribute to clutter.
- Could someone else benefit more from this item? If another person or family could get more use out of the item, consider donating it.
- Is this item in working condition? Broken toys or appliances that you haven’t gotten around to fixing can often be decluttered without regret.
- Do we have duplicates of this item? Unless it’s necessary to have multiples, one is usually enough.
- Does this item help our children to be creative, imaginative, or active? Items that stimulate these qualities in children are usually worth keeping.
- Does this item hold sentimental value? If it does, it might be worth keeping. But remember, not everything can be sentimental.
Remember, decluttering is not just about creating physical space but also about making room for more meaningful experiences and interactions within the family.
How does the 31-day declutter challenge work?
Turn your home of chaos into a clutter-free environment
- The first step is to print the Declutter Challenge Printable. (Scroll down to the bottom and subscribe to gain access to the instant download.
- Start the challenge any day and spend 15-20 minutes a day decluttering a designated place in your home.
- Save items that you need, use, and love.
Declutter checklist
The decluttering checklist includes 31 areas that you can spend a few minutes cleaning. When you declutter here and there, the task doesn’t seem as daunting.
Day 1: Linen closet
Starting the process of decluttering your linen closet begins with emptying it, providing a clean slate. Group similar items together and evaluate each item’s condition and usage. Use storage solutions like bins or baskets, and label them for easy identification. Learn to fold linens properly to save space and store sheet sets inside one of the set’s pillowcases for convenience. The goal is to create an organized, easy-to-navigate space.
Related: 5 Linen Closet Organization Tips to Know
Day 2: Kids’ Toys
Decluttering kids’ toys can be a challenging yet rewarding task. Sort the toys into categories and evaluate each one’s usage and condition. Consider donating toys that are no longer used or are duplicates. Use storage solutions like bins or baskets, and label them for easy identification. Rotating toys every few weeks can also keep the play area fresh and reduce clutter.
Day 3: Socks and Underwear
Start by emptying your drawer and sorting items into categories. Discard any worn-out or uncomfortable pieces, and pair up all socks. Consider using drawer organizers or dividers to separate different types of items, such as socks, underwear, and sports bras. Folding your socks and underwear neatly can maximize space and make it easier to find what you need.
Day 4: Pet items and/or holiday decor
Decluttering pet items begins by gathering all your pet supplies into one place. This allows you to sort and evaluate every item’s usage and condition. Consider discarding worn-out toys or supplies that your pet no longer uses. Creating designated stations for walking, treats, or feeding can also help manage clutter
Day 5: Your car
Start by removing all items from your car to assess what you need. Discard any trash, and consider getting rid of items that don’t serve a purpose in your vehicle.
Day 6: Desk in your home office
Decluttering your home office desk is essential for maintaining focus and productivity. Start by removing all items from the desk and sorting them into categories such as office supplies, papers, and personal items. Dispose of any unnecessary or outdated documents, and digitize important papers whenever possible. Use desk organizers, trays, or bins to store frequently used items and keep them within easy reach. Minimize the number of knick-knacks or decorative items to reduce visual clutter.
Day 7: Kids’ closets
Sort through your kids’ clothes and separate them into piles of items to keep, donate, or discard. Remove any items that no longer fit or are worn out. Use storage bins or organizers to categorize and store items like socks, accessories, or seasonal clothing.
Day 8: Junk Drawer
Empty the entire drawer and sort items into categories such as office supplies, tools, or miscellaneous items. Discard any broken or unnecessary items, and find designated spaces for things that belong elsewhere in your home. Use small bins or dividers to neatly separate and organize the remaining items within the drawer
Day 9: Fridge/Freezer
Start by removing all items from the fridge and checking expiration dates. Discard any spoiled or expired items. Group similar items together to make it easier to find what you need. Utilize clear containers or bins to separate different categories of food, such as fruits, vegetables, or condiments. Consider using labels to identify the contents and date of items.
Day 10: Pantry
First, take everything out and check expiration dates. Dispose of any expired or stale items. Group similar items together, such as baking supplies, canned goods, or snacks, to make them easier to find. Consider investing in clear containers or bins to store loose items like grains or snacks. Labeling shelves and containers can further enhance organization. Take inventory of what you have and create a system that works for you, placing frequently used items within easy reach.
Day 11: Makeup
Gather all your makeup items and sort them into categories like foundation, eyeshadow, lipstick, etc. Check expiration dates and discard any products that are past their prime or have changed in texture or smell. Assess which products you use and enjoy, and let go of ones that have been untouched for months.
Day 12: Garage
Begin by setting aside dedicated time to tackle the project. Start by sorting through items and deciding what to keep, donate, sell, or discard. Dispose of any broken or unusable items. Categorize similar items together, such as power tools, sports equipment, or gardening supplies. Consider installing shelves, pegboards, or storage bins to maximize vertical space. Utilize hooks or wall-mounted racks to hang bicycles, ladders, or other bulky items.
Day 13: Medicine Cabinet
Start by removing all items from the cabinet and checking expiration dates on medications and products. Safely dispose of any expired or unused medications following proper guidelines. Next, assess the usefulness of each item and discard duplicates or items you no longer need.
Day 14: Laundry Room
Begin by removing any items that don’t belong in the laundry room and find their rightful place elsewhere in your home. Sort through laundry supplies, such as detergents, fabric softeners, and stain removers, discarding expired or unused products.
Day 15: Board Games/Electronic Games
Start by gathering all your games in one place and sorting through them. Discard any games that are missing pieces or no longer bring you joy. Consider donating or selling games that you no longer play or have duplicates of.
Day 16: Craft Supplies
Start by gathering all your craft materials in one place and assess each item’s usefulness. Discard any dried-out paints, broken tools, or expired supplies.
Day 17: Nightstands
Begin by removing all items from your nightstand and assessing their usefulness. Discard any items that are broken, expired, or no longer serve a purpose. Sort through books, magazines, or electronics, keeping only those that you frequently use.
Day 18: Bedroom Closet
Start by emptying your closet, and taking the time to sort through each item. Donate or sell any clothing that no longer fits, is out of style, or hasn’t been worn in a long time. Consider creating separate piles for different types of clothing, such as tops, bottoms, and accessories, to make it easier to put everything back in an organized manner.
Day 19: Bedroom Drawer
Start by completely emptying the drawer, giving yourself ample time to evaluate each item. Remove any expired or broken items, along with anything that no longer has a purpose. Take the opportunity to sort through your clothing, accessories, and miscellaneous items, organizing them into groups based on their similarities.
Day 20: Jewelry
Begin by gathering all of your jewelry in one place, whether it’s on a tray, in a box, or spread out on a table. Take the time to examine each piece and determine its value to you. Untangle any necklaces or bracelets and clean any tarnished pieces. Use jewelry organizers or small compartments to store and display your favorite piece.
Day 21: Bathroom Cabinets
Dispose of any expired or unused products, as well as any items that no longer serve a purpose. Sort through your toiletries, skincare products, and grooming essentials, grouping similar items.
Day 22: Kitchen Cabinets
Discard any expired or unused food products, as well as any chipped or broken dishes or utensils. Consider donating or selling duplicate or seldom-used items. Group similar items together, such as pots and pans, small appliances, baking supplies, and cooking utensils, to make them easier to locate.
Day 23: Purse/Wallet
Remove everything out of your purse and lay it out in front of you. Sort through each item and evaluate its necessity and usefulness. Remove any items that you don’t use regularly or that are no longer needed. Use small pouches or compartments to keep similar items together, such as keys, makeup, or electronics. Dispose of any trash or receipts that have accumulated in your purse.
Day 24: Dining Room
Start by clearing off the dining table, and removing any items that don’t belong or are rarely used. Take a critical look at decorative items like centerpieces or wall art and decide if they still bring you joy or add value to the room.
Day 25: Cleaning Supplies
Gather all of your cleaning supplies from various areas in your home. Sort through them and discard any expired or empty bottles, as well as any products you no longer use or need. Consolidate similar items together, such as glass cleaners, multi-purpose sprays, and disinfectants.
Day 26: Paperwork/Paper clutter
Start by gathering all of your loose papers and documents from various areas such as desks, drawers, and folders. Sort through them and categorize them into different piles based on their importance or relevance. Discard any papers that are no longer needed or can be digitally stored. Create separate sections for bills, old receipts, important documents, and other categories that suit your needs. Take the time to shred any sensitive documents that you no longer need to protect your personal information
Day 27: Computer Files and Email
Day 28: Books/Magazines
Start by gathering all of your books and magazines in one place. Sort through them and decide which ones you truly want to keep. Consider factors such as whether you have read them, reference value, sentimental attachment, or if they bring you joy
Day 29: Bedroom Closet
One approach is to remove everything from your closet and sort items into piles of like items. Ask yourself key decluttering questions like whether you wear the item regularly if it still fits, and if it brings you joy. Another helpful tip is to turn your hangers around and as you wear items, return them with the hangers facing the right way. This helps identify clothes that you rarely wear and may be candidates for decluttering.
Day 30: Electronics
Start by searching your home for old devices that are collecting dust. Gather them up and assess their functionality and relevance in your life. If they no longer serve a purpose or are broken beyond repair, it’s best to recycle them. Recycling electronic devices helps prevent harmful substances from entering the environment. Many communities have designated e-waste recycling centers where you can responsibly dispose of your old electronics. Before disposing of any devices, be sure to remove any personal data by following instructions specific to each device
Day 31: Under the Beds
Many people tend to overlook this area, leading to a buildup of dust and unused items. Start by removing everything from underneath the bed and sort items into categories. Assess each item’s usefulness, sentimental value, and frequency of use. Vacuuming is an essential step in decluttering under beds to remove any dust.
Other areas to declutter
Did you finish the checklist? Here are some more areas you can focus on to achieve a clutter-free home:
- Living room – put throw blankets in a designated space.
- Any small space in your home that needs to be organized.
- Coat closet
Decluttering isn’t just about getting rid of physical objects—it’s also about making space for what matters in life.
How to declutter and organize your items
Save – Save important documents or items that have sentimental value in storage containers. Consider making a Memory Box for the kids’ keepsakes, awards, and artwork.
Donate – give items to a local charity, a friend in need, or a church. Have a donation box ready to fill up and give away.
Sell – There are some items that you can make money off of if you have the desire to do so. Host a garage sale if you have a lot of items or sell individually online. Remember, to always be safe while selling items online. Always meet in a public location or with those you trust.
Discard – grab a garbage bag and place any household items or unwanted items that are no longer usable.
How often should you declutter?
decluttering is not a one-time event but an ongoing process. The key is to find a routine that works best for your family and stick to it. It’s a good idea to seasonally declutter at least four times a year, typically as the seasons change. This is especially relevant for clothing and other seasonal items.
Devote some time to do Biannual Major Decluttering. As a general rule, major decluttering done twice a year can help keep the home tidy and manageable.
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More Decluttering Tips
- Free Summer Declutter Checklist
- Home Organizational Projects to Tackle Over the Weekend
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