Can’t seem to get your house in order? Feeling overwhelmed by the amount of stuff you have? Take the 30 Day Declutter Challenge and see the difference it can make!
The 30 Day Declutter Challenge is a great way to jumpstart your journey to a cleaner and more organized house in just a few minutes. The challenge is simple: for 30 days, you focus on decluttering one area of your home each day using the free printable as a guide.
This decluttering challenge is designed to help you not feel overwhelmed as you slowly and steadily declutter your house, one day at a time. Each week of the challenge is broken down by areas of the home giving you decluttering tips to tackle each day.
By the end, you’ll be surprised at how much lighter and more spacious your home clutter-free feels😊.
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Why Use a 30 Day Declutter Challenge?
The benefits of a 30-day decluttering challenge are many, including less stress, more space, and improved organization. The decluttering process can also have a positive impact on your mental health. When your house is full of clutter, it can be difficult to relax and feel at peace.
How To Start Decluttering When Overwhelmed?
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the amount of stuff in your home, you’re not alone. The good news is decluttering can be a simple process if you break it down into small steps. Follow these tips to get started:
Take a deep breath: Don’t try to tackle the entire house at once or even the whole room.
Set a timer: Once you’ve chosen an area to focus on, set a timer for 15 minutes and start decluttering. Don’t worry about being perfect, just focus on getting rid of things you don’t need.
Create 4 Piles: As you’re decluttering, sort items into four piles; Keep, donate, sell, and throw away to help you make quick decisions about what to do with each item.
What You Need To Get Started
Here are some decluttering ideas to help you get started with your decluttering challenge:
Download the printable calendar HERE to follow along each day of the decluttering challenge
A Plan: Don’t try to tackle everything at once – you’ll just end up feeling frustrated.
A Schedule: Once you have your plan, figure out when you’re going to work on it. Dedicate 15 minutes to an hour each day to decluttering and stick to your schedule.
Cleaning Supplies: Setting up your bins or boxes to sort will make it easier. Also having plenty of trash bags on hand will help. Remember this is a quick decluttering, not a deep decluttering, deep cleaning, or an organization project.
What To Do With Your Decluttered Items
Here are some options for getting rid of your decluttered items:
Donate them to local churches or thrift stores. This is a great way to declutter your home and help others in need.
Have a yard sale.
Sell on marketplace sites such as eBay, Poshmark, Facebook Marketplace, etc.
If your items are in good condition, it makes sense to recycle them at a local recycling center
Place items that can’t be recycled or reused in a trash bag and throw them away
Download Your FREE Printable 30 Day Declutter Challenge Calendar Below:
Day 1: Under The Kitchen Sink
Under the kitchen sink is usually one of the most cluttered and disorganized areas in the kitchen, so it’s a great place to start your decluttering journey.
Start by taking everything out from under the sink. Wipe down the shelves and get rid of any expired or unneeded items. Then, put everything back in an organized way. Use baskets or containers to help keep things neat and tidy.
Day 2: Junk Drawer
If you don’t have a junk drawer, that’s okay! You can use this day to declutter any other small space in your home like your kitchen counters. But if you have junk drawers, it’s time to organize them.
Empty the entire contents of the junk drawers.
Sort through the items and decide which ones you want to keep and which you can throw away.
Day 3: Pots and Pans
Take this as an excellent opportunity to eliminate any pots and pans you don’t use regularly, or that’s seen better days.
Start by taking everything out of the cabinets and giving them a good cleaning.
Next, sort through your pots and pans, keeping only what you use regularly or in good condition. Donate or recycle anything else.
Finally, put everything back in the cabinets, grouping similar items together.
Day 4: Refrigerator Day
One of the most challenging areas to declutter is the refrigerator. It’s easy for the fridge to become a catch-all for random items, expired food, and half-finished drinks. But with a little bit of effort, you can get your fridge under control in just a few minutes.
Start by taking everything out of the fridge and wiping down the shelves. This will give you a clean slate to work with.
Toss any expired food or items that you know you won’t eat.
Organize what’s left into categories like produce, condiments, leftovers, etc.
Day 5: Spice Cabinet
It’s time to tackle the spices inside your kitchen cabinets.
Start by taking everything out of the cabinet.
Give the shelves a good wipe down, and then sort through your spices.
Toss any that are outdated or that you know you’ll never use.
Then group the remaining spices by type.
For example, put all your baking spices in one section and all your savory spices in another.
Once you’ve sorted and decluttered your spice cabinet, it’s time to return everything. But this time, do it with intention and labels, of course.
Day 6: Old Shoes
Shoes are one of those things that we tend to hold onto even though we don’t wear them anymore. But it’s time to let go of those shoes taking up space in your closet.
Take a look at your shoes and ask yourself when was the last time you wore them. If it’s been more than a year, it’s time to get rid of them.
Day 7: Jackets and Outerwear/Coat Closet
It’s time to tackle jackets and outerwear. This can be difficult because we keep things “just in case.”
First, remove everything from your closet.
Next, sort through each item and ask yourself whether you need it. If you haven’t worn it in the past year, chances are you don’t need it.
Finally, donate or sell any items that you don’t need.
Day 8: Old Socks and Underwear
Like most people, you have a drawer or two (or more) full of socks and underwear you never wear. Maybe they’re too small, too big, have holes, or are just not your style anymore. Whatever the reason, it’s time to get rid of them!
Don’t let your old socks and underwear take up valuable space in your home any longer.
Day 9: Organize T-Shirts
Organizing t-shirts can be tricky because t-shirts tend to be stored in various ways.
Start by going through all your t-shirts, setting aside the ones you love, and wearing them all the time. These are the shirts that you’ll keep. Everything else can go!
Then start sorting your t-shirts into categories—for example, short-sleeved, long-sleeved, tank tops, etc. Once you have a pile of each type of shirt, you can start putting things away after they’re folded.
If you have a lot of t-shirts, you may want to invest in some storage bins or baskets. This will help keep your shirts organized and looking neat.
Day 10: Jeans
Going through your jeans can be tough because we all have that pair (or two) of jeans we can’t seem to part with. But if they don’t fit or haven’t been worn in a year, it’s time to let them go.
Sort through your jeans and keep only the jeans that you love and that fit well.
Day 11: Throw Pillows
If your throw pillows look a little worse for wear, it’s time to say goodbye. They might have been with you for years, but it’s time to let them go. Worn-out throw pillows can make your living room look messy and uninviting.
Day 12: Seasonal Decor Items
Look around your home and see if you have any holiday decorations you no longer use or need. Maybe you have some old Halloween decorations or a wreath for your front door. Whatever the case may be, it’s time to say goodbye.
Day 13: Remotes for Electronics That You No Longer Use
Is your home is filled with electronics that you no longer use? These items can quickly clutter your living space, from old cell phones to remote controls for devices you no longer own.
First, look around your home and gather all of the remote controls you no longer use.
If you have any devices that are broken or beyond repair, recycle them or throw them away.
Day 14: Kid’s Toys In Living Room
Today’s task is to remove kids’ toys from the living room. It’s essential to create a space in your home that is both functional and stylish.
If you have an additional playroom or family room, that’s a great option.
Otherwise, try setting up a play area in their bedroom or another area of the house.
Day 15: Living Room Decor Items
You’re about halfway through the decluttering challenge. Take a look around and identify any decor items that no longer match the rest of the living room.
Here are a few things to keep in mind as you declutter your living room:
Does this item fit with the overall style of the room?
Is this something you use, or is it just taking up space?
When you look at it can you say that it ‘sparks joy’ as Marie Kondo says?
If you can answer “no” to these questions, it’s time to let go.
Day 16: Linen Closet
If your bath towels and washcloths are more than a few years old, they might be time for an upgrade. With regular use, towels can become worn out, frayed, and less absorbent.
First, take inventory of all the towels and washcloths you have in your linen closet.
Are there any that are stained or damaged beyond repair? These can be thrown away or recycled.
Next, sort the remaining towels by color and size.
Day 17: Toothbrushes
The average person keeps a toothbrush for four months before replacing it. But how often do you need to replace your toothbrush, and what should you do with your old one?
Here’s what the experts say:
You should replace your toothbrush every three to four months, or sooner if the bristles become frayed.
When you’re ready to get rid of an old toothbrush, don’t just throw it in the trash. I like to use mine to scrub grout on tile or keep them for painting projects with my kids.
Day 18: Makeup That You No Longer Wear
Like most women, you have too much makeup and don’t use it all.
Take the time to review your makeup and eliminate what you don’t use. It will help make getting ready in the morning more accessible and faster.
Don’t know where to start? Begin by going through each product type, such as foundation, concealer, powder, blush, etc., and determine which ones you use regularly.
Day 19: Personal Hygiene/Medicine Cabinet
Is your bathroom full of products you’ve been holding onto for too long?
Today it’s time to go through your bathroom cabinets and medicine cabinet and get rid of expired shampoo, conditioner, soap, lotion, medications, etc.
It’s important to remember that they might not be effective anymore and could even harm our health.
Day 20: Old Hairbrushes/Combs
If you’re anything like me, you have a drawer full of old hairbrushes. I’m talking about the ones with missing bristles you can’t even get through your hair and those that don’t work well anymore.
Today, throw out any old hairbrushes you no longer use.
Day 21: Receipts
Receipts can be one of the most challenging things to keep organized, but with a little effort, it’s possible to get them under control. Here are some tips for getting your receipts organized:
Create a system for categorizing your receipts.
Use an electronic filing system or scanner to digitize your receipts to save space and make it easier to find specific receipts later.
Periodically purge old receipts that you no longer need.
Day 22: Pens and Markers
Today’s task is to tackle all those pens and markers that are dried out. You know, the ones taking up valuable space in your desk drawer, and you keep meaning to throw them away but never get around to it. Well, today’s the day!
Day 23: Charging Cords and Cables
Are you still hanging onto those extra charging cords and cables?
Today’s challenge is to go through all your charging cords and cables and get rid of the ones you don’t need. Keep only the ones that are essential for your devices.
Day 24: Shred Bills & Other Paperwork
Your home is probably full of unwanted paper if you’re anything like the average person. It can be tough to keep your space clutter-free, from old bills and receipts to essential documents and junk mail.
Shred any unwanted bills, junk mail, or important documents to help you eliminate any sensitive information you don’t want to fall into the wrong hands.
Day 25: Outdated Technology/Software
If you have an old computer or printer that you no longer use, it’s time to get rid of it.
First, take inventory of all the outdated electronics in your home.
Next, research how to recycle or dispose of your outdated electronics properly.
Day 26: Trash
Today we’re taking on the garage.
The ONLY step is to clear out all the trash.
Tackling this small step like this can make a big difference in how your garage looks and feels.
Day 27: Old Paint
Old paint cans are standard in many garages and take up valuable space.
To get rid of old paint cans, start by opening them up and seeing if the paint is still good. If it is, donate it to a local Habitat for Humanity ReStore or another organization that accepts donated paint.
Day 28: Damaged Tools and Equipment
If you have something broken beyond repair, get rid of it. And if you’re holding onto something in the hopes that you’ll be able to fix it someday, ask yourself how likely that is and whether it’s worth the space it’s taking up.
Day 29: Empty Boxes
If you’re like most people, your garage is probably full of empty boxes. Maybe they’re from items you’ve bought online or in stores. Perhaps they’re from gifts you’ve received. Or maybe they’re just boxes sitting in your garage for years.
Whatever the case, it’s time to get rid of them!
Day 30: Old Toys and Play Equipment
Is your garage full of old toys and play equipment that your kids have outgrown? With a little decluttering, you can make room for your car again in no time.:
Start by sorting through everything. Keep only the items in good condition that your children still use or could use in the future.
If you have many small items, consider storing them in plastic bins with lids to keep them organized and dust-free.
Don’t forget about safety! Inspect all of your child’s play equipment and make sure it meets current safety standards. Discard anything broken or dangerous.
Final Thoughts
The 30-day Declutter Challenge is a fantastic way to achieve a more organized and peaceful home. By taking small steps every day, you can gradually transform your living space into a haven of serenity and functionality.
Whether you’re looking to simplify your life, downsize, or just get rid of some excess stuff, this challenge is an excellent starting point.
The secret to success with this challenge is to stay focused and committed. Make decluttering a part of your daily routine, and don’t be afraid to ask for help or support when you need it.
With a little effort and persistence, you can turn your home into the clutter-free paradise you’ve always wanted.
If you found this guide helpful, I’d be thrilled if you shared it with your friends and family.
Why not pin it on Pinterest or share it on social media so that more people can discover the benefits of decluttering? I hope you found this guide useful and wish you the best of luck on your own decluttering journey😍!
