Decluttering Checklist for Busy Parents

Decluttering

February 15, 2024

We all do it. We look around our house and wonder how we got so much stuff. Between all the things we need for babies to the sports equipment of teenagers, we acquire a lot of items. The key to making sure it doesn’t take over your house is decluttering regularly! However, the first time you do it, it will take more time. Before you get started, think about these decluttering tips.

Decluttering Tips Before a Big Decluttering Session

  • Set Clear Goals – Determine what you want to accomplish with the decluttering process. Whether it’s creating more space, improving functionality or reducing stress, having clear goals will define your efforts. Think about what you would like your home and life to look like after you have finished.
  • Start Small – Begin with a small area or drawer rather than tackling a whole room. This makes the process more manageable. Work through your spaces consistently to create the decluttering habit.
  • Sort and Categorize – Group similar items together to identify duplicates and make decisions on what to keep, donate or discard. If you have multiple of one item, determine if you actually need more than one and where works best to keep them (hint: keep items where you use them. I have scissors downstairs, in the playroom and in my bathroom because that is always where I need them).
  • Create a Donation Bin – Create a spot in your house where donations can go. This will help your family know what to do with items when you no longer need them. Once it’s full, actually take it to donation!
  • Be Ruthless with Sentimental Items – While sentiment is important, be selective with sentimental items. Keep those that truly hold meaning and consider letting go of items that no longer serve a purpose. The same goes for items that were expensive that no longer serve you. Keeping the item won’t bring the money back.
  • Digitize Paperwork – Scan important documents and store them digitally to reduce paper clutter. Shred unnecessary paperwork, organize digital files and keep physical paper to a minimum and store in a binder.
  • Ask for Help – If decluttering feels overwhelming, ask for support! Sometimes, an objective perspective when it comes to your items can help you get rid of things. As I always say to my clients, it’s not overwhelming because it’s not my stuff.
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Decluttering Checklist

Items to Declutter Right Now

Living Room

  • Old Magazines and Newspapers
  • Unused Decorative Items
  • Excess Throw Pillows and Blankets
  • Outdated Electronics
  • Books You’ve Read and Won’t Reread
  • Unused or Excess Furniture

Bedroom and Bathroom

  • Clothing and Shoes – If it doesn’t fit, you don’t like it or you don’t wear it, donate it! If it is broken, either get it repaired or throw it away!
  • Expired Beauty Products
  • Beauty Samples
  • Mismatched or Unused Bedding
  • Broken or Unwanted Jewelry
  • Expired Medications
  • Empty Toiletries
  • Unused Towels and Linens
  • Broken or Unused Hair Tools
  • Dried Out Nail Polish

Kitchen

  • Expired Food Items
  • Expired Spices (yes they expire)
  • Pantry Items You Won’t Use
  • Duplicate Kitchen Tools (beyond what you’d use in a day)
  • Tupperware without Lids
  • Unused Mugs and Glasses
  • Unused Small Appliances (if you haven’t used in a year)
  • Unused Pots, Pans or Baking Dishes
  • Extra Water Bottles
  • Unused Kid Plates and Utensils
  • Baby Items (if you no longer have a baby)
  • Extra Salt and Pepper Shakers

Home Office

  • Old Receipts and Documents
  • File Cabinets – Scan Documents or Put into a binder
  • Outdated Electronics and Cables
  • Unused or Broken Office Supplies
  • Obsolete Technology

Garage

  • Broken Tools and Equipment
  • Unused Sports Equipment
  • Expired Paint and Chemicals
  • Unwanted Furniture that Lives in Your Garage
  • Broken Outdoor Toys and Vehicles
  • Moldy and Mildewy Water Toy

Decluttering Habits to Keep Your Space Tidy

  • Declutter Regularly – Make decluttering a regular habit. Set aside time each month or season to assess your belongings and eliminate what you no longer need. Put it on your calendar!
  • Use Storage Solutions – Once you have decluttered, then you can think about organizational solutions. Think through under bed storage, wall-mounted shelving and other space-saving solutions. DO NOT do this step before decluttering! Organized clutter is still clutter.
  • Maintenance is Key! – Once you have decluttered, make maintenance a priority. Regularly assessing your space and addressing new items will keep clutter at bay. This is what changes your decluttering cadence. Now, instead of taking days, it will only take a few hours to assess your items and decide what to keep and what to donate.

If you want to keep working on your decluttering muscle, check out our Decluttering Guide that will help you declutter your home!

Decluttering Guide