The Ultimate DeCluttering Checklist

“Simplicity boils down to two things: Identify the essential, and eliminate the rest.”  – Leo Babauta

Phase 1: Mindset & Preparation

Set Goals: What is the purpose of your decluttering project? What do you hope to achieve? 

• Preparation for your downsizing move

• Open up your living space 

• Live more simply

Start Small: Choose one area to begin with – a drawer, a shelf, or a corner.  Small wins create the motivation to keep going!

Gather Supplies:

• Trash bags (recycle, donate, trash)

• Boxes and bins

• Post-its, colored tape, and markers

• Cleaning supplies

• A timer (for focused bursts)

• Music (to keep your energy up)

Phase 2: The Decluttering Process

Sort & Categorize (Assign colors to each category):

• Keep: Items that you use regularly and love.

• Gift: Items that you no longer use or love that can be useful and appreciated by someone you know.

• Donate: Items in good condition that you no longer need or use that can be helpful and loved by someone else.

• Trash: Broken, worn out, or unusable items.

• Maybe: Items you're unsure about. Put them in a box and revisit them later.

The "Maybe" Box: After a set time (3 months), revisit the "maybe" box. If you haven't needed anything from it, gift, donate, or discard the contents.

Clean: Thoroughly clean the space before putting anything back in.

Phase 3: Organizing & Maintaining

• Find a Home for Everything: Every item you keep needs a designated home.

• Maximize Vertical Space: Use shelves, drawers, and vertical organizers to maximize your space.

• Utilize Wall Space: Hang shelves, hooks, and organizers to keep items off the floor and counters.

• Contain: Use boxes, bins, baskets, and trays to group similar items and keep them contained.

• Label Everything: Labels make finding what you need easy and putting things back in their place.

• Regular Maintenance: Schedule regular decluttering sessions quarterly to prevent clutter from building up.

Phase 4: Decluttering -Room-by-Room Breakdown

 Bedrooms:

• Shoes 

• Sweaters

• Accessories

• Undergarments 

• Socks (throw away the hole-y ones, lol)

• Pajamas

• Exercise clothes

• Pants & Shorts

• Shirts

• Books 

• Magazines

• Electronics

• Storage bins 

• Out-of-season clothes, shoes, etc.

• Bedsheets

• Blankets

Bathroom:

• Makeup

• Makeup brushes

• Lotion

• Perfume

• Hairbrushes

• Hair dryer, straightener, curling iron

• Shampoo & Conditioner

• Feminine supplies

• Bath towels & hand towels

• Washcloths

• Medicine

• First Aid

• Sunscreen

Kitchen:

• Pantry

• Refrigerator

• Dishes

• Glasses & cups

• Water bottles and lids

• Koozies, coolers, and ice chests

• Mugs

• Silverware

• Food storage containers

• Pots and pans

• Cooking utensils

• Knives

• Cutting boards

• Mixing bowls

• Small appliances

• Dishtowels

• Oven mitts & potholders

• Serving utensils

• Spices

• Cookbooks

• Coupons

• Junk Drawer

Living Room:

• Bookshelves

• Décor

• Coffee table

• Side tables

• Remotes 

• Coasters

• Papers 

• Electronics

• DVDs & Blu-rays

• Vinyl records, cassettes & cd’s

• Video games

• Books

• Magazines

• Newspapers

• Knick Knacks

Playroom:

• Puzzles

• Board games

• Craft supplies

• Books

• Toys: sort toys into categories.

Home Office:

• Papers 

• Office supplies

• Batteries

• Electronics

• Monitors and keyboards

• Files

• Stationery 

• Cords and chargers

• Books

• Manuals 

• Binders

• Mail

• Décor

Entryway/Mudroom:

• Coats

• Jackets 

• Shoes

• Bags

• Keys 

• Mail 

• Wallets

• Boots 

• Umbrellas

Garage/Basement/Attic:

• Seasonal items 

• Tools 

• Decorations

• Old papers 

• Photos 

• Memorabilia

• Sports equipment: bikes, skis, balls, etc.

 Digital Decluttering:

• Computer

• Desktop: Organize files into folders

• Downloads: Delete unnecessary files

• Emails: Unsubscribe from unwanted lists, delete old emails

• Phone:

• Apps: Delete unused apps

• Photos: Delete duplicates, organize into albums

• Contacts: Delete outdated contacts

Here are some valuable decluttering tips for you!

• Use the 50% rule: Reduce the number of items in a space by half to make it more spacious. 

• 5-second rule: Decide if you want to keep an item within five seconds. If it takes longer, or you can't remember when you last used it, it's time to get rid of it. 

• Use the 12-12-12 challenge: Find 12 items to throw away, 12 to donate or gift, and 12 to put back where they belong. 

• Use multi-use furniture: Choose furniture that can serve multiple purposes, like an ottoman that can also be a footstool and storage space.

• Use storage baskets: Use stylish baskets with lids to hide toys and other items. 

• Use trays: Keep items such as remote controls and glasses together. 

• Keep surfaces clear: This makes cleaning quick and easy. 

• Avoid to-do piles: Keep your living space free of to-do piles.

• Resist trends: Choose a few well-made, flattering pieces that will last longer than fashion fads. 

Just remember: 

• Be Patient: Decluttering takes time and effort. Don't get discouraged if it feels overwhelming.

• Be Kind to Yourself: Don't beat yourself up about the clutter. Focus on the progress you're making.

• One Thing at a Time: Don't try to tackle everything at once. Focus on one area or category at a time.

• Get Support: Reach out for support from family, friends, your church community, or your therapist.

• Make it a Habit: Incorporate decluttering into your routine to prevent clutter from building up.

• Enjoy the Process: Decluttering can be liberating and empowering. Enjoy the feeling of a more organized and tranquil space!

Happy decluttering to you!

_______________________________

If you need a hand decluttering your home,

please reach out to us. 

WayMaker

Decluttering, Downsizing, & Move Management

Guiding Your Journey. Lifting the Burden.

Honoring Your Life Story.

Lighting Your Way to New Beginnings.

Your Journey is our Mission.

WayMakerDMM.com

Melanie (770) 954-6622