Think you need an entire weekend to declutter your home? Think again. This mini decluttering challenge is built for busy seasons of life, helping you make progress in just 5 minutes a day. Small efforts add up… you might be surprised how much clutter you can clear!
Life has a way of getting busy (can you relate?!)
Whether you’re caring for young children, helping with grandchildren or aging parents, juggling work responsibilities, managing a household, or simply navigating a particularly full season, decluttering often gets pushed to the bottom of the to-do list because we assume we don’t have enough time to tackle all our clutter.
However, we never have enough time to tackle ALL our clutter, and when clutter continues to accumulate, it can make an already busy season feel even more overwhelming.
That’s why I’m a fan of “mini decluttering challenges”.
It’s exactly like what it sounds — a mini challenge you can do any time you have 5 minutes throughout the day.
These mini challenges work for real life, real families, and real homes because you aren’t organizing anything… just decluttering.
Let me say that again: You are NOT “organizing”, only “decluttering”.
You don’t need to make it look pretty, create labels, or find matching bins. You simply need to remove things that should no longer be taking up space in your home and life.
Instead of setting aside hours for a major organizing project, you’ll spend just 5 minutes clearing out what you no longer need.
No complicated systems. No marathon cleaning sessions. Just small pockets of time spent reducing the excess and creating a little more breathing room in your home.
These quick wins may seem insignificant at first, but over time, they can add up to a home that feels lighter, calmer, and easier to manage.
As you go throughout your daily tasks, ask yourself the questions below. If you can’t answer “yes”, it might be time to declutter that item.
Keep a trash bag and a donation box handy on every floor of your home and continually add to them throughout each day and each week. You might be surprised how quickly you fill them!
General Decluttering Questions
- Do I actually need this item?
- Do I actually use this item?
- Do I even love or at least like this item?
- Do I want this item?
- If I moved across the country, would I pay to have this item moved with me?
Related Reading: Love it, Use it, or Lose it – a Simple Decluttering Guide
Clothes, Shoes & Accessories Questions
- Does it actually fit me?
- Does it flatter my current body shape/size?
- Do I feel great wearing it?
- Is it in style?
- Is it in good to great condition?
- If I went shopping, would I buy this item again?
Related Reading: How to Declutter Your Closet in 6 Steps
Kitchen & Home Goods Questions
- Have I used or displayed this item in the last 6 months?
- Do I have a place for this item?
- Can I make do with something else I have?
- Would it be very difficult or expensive to replace the item if I did need or want it again?
- Am I hanging onto it out of guilt or because it was given to me by someone special?
- Am I hanging onto it because I’m hoping to sell it?
Related Reading: How to Declutter 100 Things From Your Home Today
Kids’ Stuff Questions
- Is it in good to great condition?
- Is it something I actually liked and found useful?
- Realistically, will I have children who could use/wear this again?
- Will the item be out of style or expired by the time future children could potentially use it?
- Would it be difficult or expensive to replace the item if I did need/want it again?
- Do I have adequate space to store it?
Related Reading: How to Finally Let Go of “What if I Need it Clutter”
Sentimental Item Questions
- Is this something I actually want and love?
- Do I have space to store or use the item?
- Could I repurpose the item in any way to make it more usable?
- Am I hanging onto it out of guilt or because it was given to me by someone special?
Related Reading: Practical Solutions for Sentimental Clutter
More Decluttering Help
I’ve written extensively about decluttering over the last 2 decades… here are some of my favorites:
If you’re struggling with clutter in any of the above categories, start asking and answering those questions — and then start decluttering!
You don’t need to
What area will you start with?
Mary in Maryland says
I went into the shed to get potting soil. I realized that the tomato cages don’t work with my containers, and that I’ve aged out of the size garden that could ever use all my seeds. Freecycle. As I sew I’m tossing fabric I hope never to quilt with into a bag for srapmania at our quilt show. Just this morning I looked at a piece of novelty fabric and asked myself if there isn’t someone who would like it more than I do.
Andrea says
yay!! great job purging! every little bit really does help!
Clear Cut Crystal says
What great motivation for my upcoming move! Every weekend I fill a garbage bag for donation/trash/to sell. It’s never ending haha!!
Andrea says
happy moving (and purging!)
Julie S-H says
Thanks for the post! I decluttered the linen closet and have two full trash bags for the goodwill! Only took about 10 minutes 😉 Immediately I saved at least a minute because putting away my clean linens was a snap! Usually it would have taken time to find a place for everything. Thank you!!!
Andrea says
yay! How exciting to be able to benefit from your efforts so quickly! I love those short 10-minute projects that make such a huge difference!
Debbie W. says
Great tips and perfect timing! Our family is moving very soon and I can definitely use the motivation to purge!
Andrea says
happy moving (and purging!)
Anne says
I loved this post!
Breaking it down by these items/rooms and those particular questions make it all much more practical and much less overwhelming.
(I wish I could see all reader before and after photos!)
Andrea says
ooooh, that would be fun to see a bunch of before/after photos!
Gina, a book dragon says
We have a walk-in closet with his and her sides and a dresser on the back wall. My dresses hang next to the dresser but that means there is a black hole type space under the dresses. That’s where I’ll be today.
Andrea says
Haha! Hope your time in “the black hole” was productive today!!
Gina, a book dragon says
Thanks! I wish I could report my success! My sleep is switched so I headed to bed, waking up in time to take my MIL to dinner and spend the evening with her. Now that I’m reminded of my task, husband is asleep! Guess I better write it down for today 🙂
Andrea says
oh no! And yes, writing it down is always a good thing 🙂
Sherry says
I read this article this morning and immediately went into the basement where I have an old, wooden drawer that came out of a wall of cupboards in our mudroom renovation last fall. This was the last drawer that needed to be organized and emptied. I less than 10 minutes I had a pile for donation, a garbage pile and a small handful of items that have been put in their proper place. This has been on my to-do list since last fall!
Andrea says
yay!! Congrats! I’ve crossed off a few of those “this has been on my list for months” tasks this spring already and it feels SOOOOO good. Every time I wonder “why on earth did you wait so long!”
Christine @ The (mostly) Simple Life says
Great questions. I find that a lot of people think they use something often, but they really haven’t used it in years. Maybe they used it often years ago. I try to think hard about that question. I’m definitely ready to get rid of a few more things.