Last updated on April 20th, 2023 at 04:38 am
Picture this: you’ve been busy all week, and you’re looking forward to relaxing over the weekend. But you wake up on Saturday morning, take a quick glance, and discover your house is filled with clutter you’ve never noticed because you’re ever busy.
The bedroom is filled with piles of clothes, and knick-knacks are scattered everywhere. You’re overwhelmed and start wondering if you can declutter your house in one day. The answer is “Yes, you can.”
A cluttered home can frustrate its owner, because clutter seems to accumulate almost overnight. One book on the coffee table becomes a pile, and unfolded clothes soon make your closet look like a landfill. You stop entertaining friends because you’re embarrassed by the clutter.
The good news is you can get rid of clutter in as little as one day—yes, in 24 hours. Turn your chaotic home into an organized haven with our helpful tips. Here’s how to declutter your house in one day.
Have a Game Plan
Before you start decluttering, have a plan. Create a room-by-room decluttering plan. Identify the rooms or areas that need the most attention so you can focus on them more. Determine the time you’ll spend decluttering each room based on its size and clutter. You can create a list of the areas you’ll focus on in each room and mark off the tasks as you complete them. You’ll stay focused and feel fulfilled as you clean each area.
Get Help
The first thing you should do is look for help to make the job easier. If you live with roommates or family, ask them to help you declutter. Since you all contributed to the clutter, you should all clean.
If you have kids, involve them. Chances are they’ll enjoy the job more than you. Decluttering is also a great way to show them how to keep the house clean. Let them help you choose what to keep, donate, and get rid of. With time, they will start decluttering their rooms, saving you a lot of time and energy.
Gather Supplies
Decluttering supplies will help make your job easy. Put everything together beforehand so you won’t have to stop working to go look for something. Here’s what you need.
- A timer: To declutter your house in one day, you’ll need to focus on each area for a specific time, about 30 minutes on average. Set the timer to prompt you to start and stop working on a certain area. You can use the timer on your phone or a kitchen timer.
- Markers and labels: You need these to mark bags, boxes, and containers so you know where they need to go and what they contain. They will prevent you and your decluttering partners from getting confused.
- Garbage bags: As you declutter, you’ll need to put the unwanted or excess stuff somewhere. Get garbage bags for your trash and be sure to put them outside so they get picked on garbage collection day.
- Cardboard boxes and containers: Put the items you wish to sell or donate in containers and label them. Use boxes for lighter or bulkier items or those that might rip or tear bags.
- A step ladder: You may have a hard time reaching some of the places, such as high cabinets or shelves. A step ladder or a step stool will help you to easily access these places.
- Packing tape and packing materials: Tape will help you to secure and close up the boxes. If you have fragile items, get packing materials such as old newspapers and bubble wrap. The items won’t get damaged as you move them from one place to another.
- Vacuum and dusting rags: Depending on the area you’re decluttering, you may encounter a lot of dust and debris. A vacuum and dusting rugs will help you to quickly remove dirt and grime.
Focus on One Room or Area At a Time
Tackle one room or area at a time, starting from one end to the other. Scan the room quickly and identify things you don’t use or haven’t used in a long time. Sort them into two categories: discard and donate/sell.
It’s important to have a friend when decluttering because they will help you get rid of sentimental objects you may be too attached to. For most people, getting rid of sentimental items is overwhelming, so they just keep postponing the task. Only keep the things that are truly meaningful to you.
Apply the “One-Touch” Rule
Here’s how the “one-touch” rule works: when you pick up an item, decide whether to keep, donate/sell, or discard it. Do this immediately and don’t put it down. Once you make the decision, put it in the right box. It’s either something stays or goes, don’t get caught in the “maybe” trap.
Be Ruthless
Be ruthless when decluttering. You don’t need five towels, two are enough. Determine if you truly need every item you keep. If not, let it go. For instance, when decluttering your wardrobe, set a limit for the number of clothes you want to keep. Your goal is to create a clutter-free home that makes your life easier and brings you joy.
Deal with the Boxes
Once you’re done decluttering, deal with the boxes. Put the items you’re donating or selling in one spot and schedule a pick-up day—or drop them off in the right locations. Throw away items in trash bags responsibly, and organize the items you’re keeping.
Declutter a Room In 30 Minutes: Follow These Steps
- Set a timer for 30 minutes.
- Take out everything that doesn’t belong there. Sort items to sell, donate, or throw away. Put the items in clearly labeled boxes.
- Only keep the essentials. You don’t need 10 cups or plates if you live alone.
- Untangle wires with twisties or bread bag clips to hold them together neatly. When wires don’t stick out, a place looks more organized.
- Ensure everything has its place. Organize the items you’ve decided to keep.
- Schedule a day to sell the items or drop them off at a donation center. Put trash in the garbage can.
How to Declutter Your Home In 15 Minutes a Day
To declutter your home in 15 minutes a day, you’ll have to tackle one area at a time. You can start from one end to the other. In one week, you may be done with one room. Here’s what you should do.
- Set a timer for 15 minutes.
- Get 3 big boxes and label them:sell, donate, or throw away. Put each item you’re not keeping in the right box.
- Only keep the essentials and ensure everything has its place.
Quick Decluttering Hacks
- Move the items that don’t belong out of the room
- Tidy up immediately after decluttering
- Organize one drawer, cabinet, or closet at a time
- Donate, sell, or throw away unused items
- Toss the trash
Declutter Your Home Checklist
- Ask for help
- Wear comfy clothes and a dust mask
- Write a cleaning checklist for every room
- Gather the supplies
- Focus on one area at a time
- Be ruthless when decluttering
- Move everything you’re not keeping out of your home