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A checklist for decluttering your home.
Do you ever feel like no matter how much cleaning and organizing you do, there’s STILL clutter everywhere?
If so, it’s time for an intervention.
Cluttered spaces can manifest themselves in a variety of ways such as having random items scattered across your countertops.
Or closets full of clothes you haven’t worn in 2 years.
It can be overwhelming to know where to start, but a decluttering checklist can be a helpful tool to simplify the process and help you get started.
This declutter your home checklist has 83 things worth decluttering by room. You’ll also find decluttering tips that are helpful for every room in the house!
Why is decluttering your home important?
Not only does physical clutter cause our homes to be messy, but it also affects us on a deeper level.
It can be incredibly overwhelming and stressful when you’re digging and searching for something that you cannot find.
It’s also not the best feeling to walk into a messy room.
This may cause a lack of motivation and inspiration when it comes to other aspects of life as well.
Clutter affects our stress levels, our ability to focus, and can even make us more likely to make unhealthy eating choices (source).
Also, when your home is cluttered, it may feel like nothing can be organized.
Having fewer items makes keeping a tidy house considerably easier!
(Pssst… Do you struggle to keep your home clean and organized? Here’s a simple solution!)
How to start decluttering when overwhelmed
Decluttering your home may feel like a daunting task.
When we declutter, we often feel like we’re throwing away precious memories and treasured belongings that can never be replaced.
But decluttering doesn’t have to be so scary!
Here are two very important tips to remember when you’re feeling overwhelmed:
Start small. Pick one room and one task and start there.
Take your time. Decluttering doesn’t have to be done all at once! Breaking the process down into manageable chunks so that it’s less overwhelming is key.
Once you finish up a room, move on to the next, and then rinse and repeat.
Before you know it, your entire home will be clutter-free.
Questions to ask yourself to make decluttering easier
Does your mind come up with all sorts of excuses to keep something when it’s time to decide whether to toss or keep?
There are a few questions you can ask yourself to make the decision a tad bit easier.
If you can honestly answer no to the majority of these questions, then your best bet is most likely donating, recycling, or selling.
- Does this item bring me joy?
- Have I worn or used this item in the past year?
- Is it useful or is it just a waste of space?
- Do I (truly) have any plans to utilize this item in the near future?
- Is the value of this item worth fixing if it’s damaged?
- Would I purchase this again?
Decluttering your home checklist
Most people tend to overthink what they need when it comes time to declutter.
Don’t think about all the possibilities, just start with one room (or one area within a room) and take baby steps!
Here are 83 ideas to start with:
Kitchen
- Sponges, brushes, and dish scrubbers that are worn (or gross)
- Tupperware that no longer has a purpose (especially the ones with missing pieces)
- Expired food in your fridge, freezer, and pantry
- Tinned food you don’t plan on using
- Expired spices and seasonings
- Packaged sauces and dressings you only use occasionally or is out of date
- Unused small appliances you don’t use or are broken (Do you really need 3 coffee makers?)
- Expired vitamins or supplements
- Unused cookbooks
- Mugs and glasses you “just don’t like” to drink out of
- Any extra plates or silverware you no longer need or use
- Cooking utensils you don’t use
- Scratched nonstick pans
- Unused pots or pans
- Worn oven mitts with holes
- Extra magnets you never use on the fridge
Bedroom/closet
- Clothes that no longer fit or are uncomfortable to wear
- Clothing with holes, rips, stains, faded colors (unless they still serve a purpose)
- Pajamas you don’t sleep in
- Underwear that is uncomfortable or has rips or holes
- Shoes you never wear or find uncomfortable
- Old shoe boxes
- Unused purses/handbags/wallets
- Old backpacks that are no longer used
- Bridesmaid/old prom dresses
- Jewelry you no longer wear/like
- Earrings without matches
- Old belts and ties that have been broken or bent beyond repair (or missing a buckle)
- Ripped or frayed bedsheets/pillowcases/blankets
- Nightstand clutter
- Kids’ toys that are no longer played with or are broken
- Games and puzzles with missing pieces
Laundry room
- Empty detergent bottles
- Old laundry baskets that you no longer use
- Unused dryer sheets or fabric softener
- Socks that do not have matches
Living room
- Old remote controls
- Old magazines and/or books that
- Old entertainment center items (DVD players, video game consoles)
- DVDs, CDs, or video games you no longer use
- Outdated decor and furniture with no sentimental value and doesn’t match your style anymore
Bathroom
- Expired makeup you’ve had forever
- Empty product bottles
- Hair styling tools you never use
- Old contact lens cases
- Dried up nail polish
- Old nail files
- Plastic shower caddies with missing pieces
- Expired medicine or vitamins
- Any old prescriptions that are out of date (contact your doctor if needed to see how you can safely dispose of it)
- Old towels and washcloths that have tears, stains, faded colors, or do not match the rest
- Old toothbrushes (replace every 3-4 months!)
- Cleaning supplies you never use
- Perfumes or body sprays you don’t like or use
Garage/basement
- Exercise equipment you no longer use
- Holiday decorations you never put up
- Boxes you are storing random items in that do not have a home or use anymore
- Toys and sporting equipment not being used
- Garden tools that are dull or rusty
- Ladders no longer in use, with missing pieces/broken parts
- Paint supplies left over from a past painting project that have dried up or are out of date
- Umbrellas that are damaged or broken
- Tools you never use (or can’t remember where they came from)
- Tools in need of repair and have been sitting around for a while collecting dust (and cobwebs)
- Storage containers with missing pieces or no lid is left behind after tossing the contents out
Paper items to declutter
- Expired coupons
- Old utility bills (or duplicate copies)
- Junk mail and flyers
- Old notebooks
- Out-of-date calendars, planners, and organizers
- Expired warranties
- Old greeting cards (unless they are special to you)
- Empty folders that serve no purpose
Misc. items to declutter
- Books you will never read again
- Old textbooks from college
- Old phone cases
- Old phones and/or other unused or broken electronics
- Useless power cords
- Pens and markers that no longer work
- Broken crayons and other art supplies
- Old product manuals
- Old business cards
- Old or unused lightbulbs
- Lamps that do not work
- Unused mattresses, desks, or other large items
Printable checklist for decluttering your home
Want a printable version of this? Click the image below to download your free printables (no signup required)!
Hopefully this declutter your home checklist will give you the starting point you’ve been looking for!
Decluttering can be overwhelming and time-consuming but it’s completely worth the effort in order to create an environment that is more peaceful and relaxing.
Just remember to take it one room at a time and don’t think you have to do it all in one day– Unless you just want to of course.