The time has come to do a deep clean of your home. You have a lot of stuff that needs to go so you can declutter your home. What should be included on a ‘decluttering your home checklist?’ In this article, I’ll go over the top tips and steps to decluttering each room in your home. When you follow this simple yet comprehensive guide, you’ll be well on your way to living a simpler, stress-free life.
Read on to learn about creating a decluttering your home checklist.
What Is Decluttering?
Simply put, decluttering is when you clean out and either donate or get rid of items that are junk or no longer serve a purpose. Additionally, decluttering involves getting rid of duplicate items you don’t need. For example, if you own two popcorn makers but only use one, you’ll donate or give away the one you don’t use.
Why Declutter Your Home?
Become More Focused
Your home is your sanctuary. After a long day at work – whether from home or out and about – you want to come home to a relaxing environment. The last thing you want is to come home to a home full of crowded bookshelves, cupboards stuffed to the brim and papers scattered on your desk. However, this is the reality for millions of people. Whether they know it or not, extra clutter contributes to a scattered mind. If your home is clean and you aren’t constantly thinking about clutter, it’ll be easier to finish tasks such as jobs at your computer or cleaning routines.
Reduce Anxiety
Having extra stuff around can cause you to become distracted and even anxious – especially if you struggle with hoarding tendencies. When you see extra stuff laying around the house, your brain spends time processing what it sees. However, when you take the time to create a ‘decluttering your home checklist’ and clean out your house of extra stuff, you’ll reduce anxiety and unsettlement in your mind.
Save Money
When you have a clutter-free home, not only will feel more relaxed, but you’ll indirectly save money. How? When you can’t find a pair of scissors that you think may be buried under a mountain of cutlery, you may be tempted to just go out and buy another pair of scissors. If you do this every time you can’t find something, you’ll waste money. However, when you are organized and have a clutter-free home, it’ll be a lot easier to find that mixing bowl you need. Even decluttering a room for 30 minutes or an hour can have a major positive impact on your life!
Getting Your Family On Board
Before creating a ‘decluttering your home checklist,‘ it’s crucial to make sure other members of your family are on board. If you have a spouse and you’re the person who initiated the decluttering routine, take some time to chat about the importance of decluttering. Explain why it’s necessary to get rid of items in the garage, bedroom and closet. If you have kids, set aside some time on a weekday or weekend evening to explain that the house will be cleaned. Give your kids an incentive for helping you clean out, such as an ice cream or trip to the mall.
If you’re single, you’ll need to hold yourself accountable for decluttering. Spend an evening writing down your reasons for decluttering in a journal. These could be anything from reducing anxiety, living a simpler life, spending less time searching for stuff in your home and enjoying the feeling of accomplishing a big task (cleaning your entire home!).
Bedroom Decluttering Checklist
First on your decluttering room by room checklist: the bedroom! This is first on the list for an important reason: the bedroom is the place where one tends to clutter the most. While you might not think your bedroom is that important to clean (since it’s your own private space and you can just close the door), that’s not true!
When you have a messy room, it’s difficult to get a good night’s sleep. If you’re surrounded by piles of books and dirty clothing and that’s last thing you see before you turn off the lights, you won’t be relaxed and may not sleep well. Your bedroom is a haven to relax and recharge. Therefore, in my opinion, it’s the first room you should declutter. Let’s review how to go about decluttering your bedroom.
Step 1: Gather Boxes for Donations and Trash
What’s the best way to go about decluttering clothing? First, you’ll need to get organized. Label two boxes, one with the word ‘Donate’ on it and the other with the word ‘Keep’ on it. Additionally, buy some garbage bags for any clothing that cannot be mended – for example, any items that have holes or it or are completely worn out.
In addition to a ‘Donate’ box, you can also create a box for family and friends. Let your loved ones look through any clothing, shoes and more that you don’t want before donating it. You can even arrange a clothing swap where you all bring your old stuff and exchange your pieces. Once your family and friends have gone through everything and have picked out what they want, put any leftovers in the ‘Donate’ bin.
Step 2: Sort Through Each Your Drawers and Shelves
Next, open each dresser drawer in your room. Ask yourself “Do I wear/use this item enough?” “Does it serve a purpose and bring me happiness?” For example, if you have a pair of shoes you only wear once or twice a year and don’t absolutely love it, you should likely give it away. Same goes for your sparkly tank top that you loved when you bought it, but simply sits idle in your closet all year.
However, if there’s an item of clothing you don’t wear too often but you do wear it sometimes, keep it. For example, maybe you have a black dress you only wear at formal events. The item isn’t worn that much, but you do wear it every once in a while. If you have items that you don’t wear enough, donate it or throw it away if it’s too worn out.
Deciding If You Should Keep or Donate Clothing
Not sure if you should keep an item of clothing? Try the closet hanger experiment out. Hang all items of clothing in your closet. Next, push all the hangers with clothing on them to the left side of your closet. After you’ve worn an item of clothing once, move the hanger to the right side. After one month has gone by, look at every single item of clothing that is still hanging on the left side of the closet. If it’s still there and you won’t be wearing it for a special occasion, you can likely donate it.
Decluttering Your Accessories and Shoes
Complete the same process for accessories and shoes by putting the ones you haven’t worn on the left side of your shoe rack and shelves. If your shoe rack or shelves are full, invest in some baskets. Place one basket on the left side of your closet and another on the right side. Then, move shoes and accessories from one basket to another once you’ve worn them.
Replacing Old Items and Stocking a Capsule Wardrobe
Once you’ve decluttered your clothing and shoes, you’ll want to assess whether or not you need to replace any items. The best way to replace a wardrobe and live simply? Prepare a minimalist capsule wardrobe! A capsule wardrobe is a great way to own quality items that can be mixed and matched with each other. Before shopping, take inventory of:
- What types of clothing, shoes and accessories you own
- How many of each you own of each
- The colors of each item
Write down everything on a piece of paper. Next, compare it to standard minimalist capsule wardrobe list. You’ll want to go out and buy any items you currently don’t own.
Not sure where to begin? Every minimalist closet should contain:
- White and black t-shirts
- Tank tops in black and white
- A trench coat in tan or black
- A denim jacket
- A leather jacket
- Jeans
- Black dress pants
- Black dress shoes or nice heels
- A black purse or satchel
- A solid wrist watch or smartwatch in gold, silver or black
Be even more thrifty by going to thrift stores first. If you can’t find what you need secondhand, go ahead and buy retail. When shopping for a capsule wardrobe, try to find higher-quality items. Even if they cost more, they’ll likely be cheaper in the long run. Why? The cost per wear will be cheaper. When you buy something that lasts longer, you won’t be spending time and money replacing it. Plus, higher-quality pieces generally look better. Look good, feel good and be frugal!
Step 3: Clean Out the Other Spaces
After having cleaned out the clothing, shoes and accessories in your closet, you’ll need to declutter the rest! everything else. Go through every picture frame, paper, binder and book you own. Ask yourself if each item serves a purpose or brings you happiness. Not sure if you should keep an item? Put it into an ‘Unsure’ box. Wait 24-48 hours and think about whether or not you need or use the item. After 48 hours or so have passed, make your decision. Waiting this period of time can help you make more informed decisions free of pressure.
Step 4: Clean Your Floors and Everything Else
Once you’ve decluttered all items in your room, you’ll need to clean your room! Organize everything that doesn’t have a place. Invest in baskets, bags and other organizers. Label and sort your baskets, bags and organizers, then sort your belongings. After you’ve organized everything, sweep, dust, mop and vacuum your room.
Like This Article? Pin It!
Kitchen Decluttering Checklist
Step 1: Label Keep and Throw Away Boxes
Next on your decluttering list: cleaning out and organizing your kitchen. Before cleaning and decluttering, you’ll need some containers and other storage solutions to put your stuff in. First, buy two boxes or garbage bags and label them with ‘Keep’ and ‘Throw Out.’
Step 2: Sort Through Your Cupboard
Next, go through each and every item in your cupboards. Pull out every single bag, box and can. Check the expiry date on each item. Foods that are beyond their expiry date should be thrown out. Items that haven’t yet expired can be put back in the cupboard. Ensure that the closest to expiry are at the front of the cupboard and the newest items are at the back of the cupboards. This way, you’ll be eating the oldest foods first!
Step 3: Go Through Your Freezer, Fridge and Drawers
Next, do the same you did for your cupboards with your freezer, fridge and drawers. Remove all items from each of these places. Then, get a bucket of water, sponge and soap, then clean the inside of the freezer and fridge. Next, check when each item is due to expire. Toss expired items and put the items closest to expiry in the front of the fridge, freezer, shelves and cupboard. Additionally, you can donate any old appliances you don’t need. Non-functional appliances can be thrown away or given to an electronics recycling centre, if available in your area.
Step 5: Clean Your Floors, Appliances and Counters
After you’ve cleaned out your freezer, fridge and cupboards, clean your kitchen. Wipe down all your jars, the sink, stove, fridge, counter and all appliances. Thoroughly scrub any dirt off appliances and corners where you don’t usually get. Next, sweep and mop your kitchen floors. After you’ve cleaned your kitchen, toss away the expired food items. All finished – what a great feeling of satisfaction!
Living Room and Bathroom Decluttering Checklist
The living room and bathroom should be decluttered the same way you cleaned out your bedroom. Begin with one area of your space such as the coffee table or shelves. Toss any items such as books or magazines you do not read anymore. Get under your couch and behind it to find any junk or other books hiding. After decluttering your living room, do a deep vacuum. Make sure to get both your furniture and the carpets.
For your bathroom, toss any garbage hiding in the drawers. Re-organize your toiletries by investing in baskets and a shower rack. After you’re finished cleaning your bathroom, do a thorough scrub of the shower, sink, toilet and floors. Finally, sweep and mop the floors.
Decluttering the Garage
If you don’t have a garage you can skip this step. If you do one, follow the exact same steps you did with your bedroom, kitchen other rooms. When decluttering the garage, start with one area. Give away or throw out any items you don’t need or use. Get rid of any multiples you have such as more than one garbage bin or lawn mower if you only use one. Invest in large storage bins or racks to hold larger belongings such as sports equipment and lawn care items.
Decluttering Checklist for Your Closet
For the first step in decluttering your closet, pull out all items. Feel free to throw them on the floor. Next, go through each item one by one. Decide whether each item serves a purpose or not. If something doesn’t serve a purpose, is garbage or you don’t use it enough, throw it in the donations box. Toss any garbage and keep items that you do use enough.
Committing to a Minimalist, Clutter-Free Lifestyle
You’ve created a ‘decluttering your home checklist’ and have done a deep clean of every single room in your home. That’s great! But what about going forward? You’ll need to commit to sticking to a simpler, clutter-free life. Did you know that on average, it takes about 59 days to successfully build new habits? To stick with a clutter-free lifestyle, you’ll need to create and keep daily habits. Here are the three ways to set yourself up for success:
1. Clean As You Go and Get Organized
Here’s one of the best decluttering hacks: commit to daily cleaning. Undertake the following habits to keep organized:
- Always throw dirty laundry straight in the basket and not on the floor.
- Wash, fold, and sort your clean laundry immediately – don’t let it pile up or stay in the laundry basket.
- Clothing that’s not yet ready for the laundry should be folded and hung back up in the closet or dresser.
- Pieces of junk paper should be recycled or shredded if they’re confidential.
- Invest in baskets, jars and containers to keep belongings organized.
- Organize each by type and keep similar items together. For example, keep all your hand towels in one pile and stock your hair accessories in the same basket.
2. Clean Your Closet and Kitchen on a Weekly Basis
Aside from daily cleaning, commit to weekly cleaning. In addition to your regular cleaning routine, set aside time to regularly go through your shelves, freezer, fridge and cupboards. Each time you sort and fold your clothing, ask yourself if there are any items you don’t need anymore. If so, give them away. In your kitchen, review what’s in your cupboards, fridge, freezer and shelves to check for expired items. For those items close to expiry, put them on the counter as a reminder to use them in your recipes for this week.
3. Get Family On Board
Family and friends are an amazing source of decluttering motivation. When your loved ones are also committed to a minimalist, clutter-free lifestyle, it’ll be a lot easier to create and stick with good habits. Additionally, you will be able to hold each other accountable. In general, your family will be happier and will enjoy a more peaceful lifestyle!
Conclusion – Decluttering Your Home Checklist
There are many steps needed to creating a ‘decluttering your home checklist’ and cleaning each room. Decluttering isn’t just a one-time thing – it’s a lifestyle. However, when you commit to a clutter-free lifestyle, you’ll feel good. A cleaner house will help you feel happier, more at peace and will even save you money in the long run. Additionally, you’ll enjoy a sense of satisfaction from being happy with less!
Like This Article? Pin It!
Janita is a frugal living expert and owner of Frugal Fun Finance. With over five years of personal experience finding and trying out the best ways to make and save more money, she's eager to share her knowledge. Janita's strategies have helped her save thousands of dollars for funding investments and traveling to over 20 countries.
Janita completed training in personal finance at The University of Western Ontario and McGill University, two prestigious Canadian universities. Her expertise has been shared on GoBankingRates, Yahoo Finance, and NASDAQ.com.
