The 2-minute rule for decluttering is a productivity technique, popularized by David Allen, stating that if a cleaning or organizing task takes less than 120 seconds, it should be done immediately rather than postponed. It stops clutter from accumulating by tackling small, everyday tasks—like washing a dish, sorting mail, or hanging up a coat—on the spot.
The 5-5-5 Rule for decluttering, popularized by Steph of The Secret Slob and Apartment Therapy, is a quick, low-pressure method that involves setting a 25-minute timer, picking five different zones in your home, and spending just five minutes tidying or decluttering each zone before moving to the next, making it ideal for tackling daily messes without feeling overwhelmed.
It's a decision-making shortcut made popular by David Allen in his book "Getting Things Done," and it works like this: If it takes less than two minutes to do something, do it now. So when you put that in the context of donating: no second-guessing, no setting it aside for “later.” Just a quick gut check and action.
Most people probably think the hardest thing to declutter is sentimental clutter. While it's true that presents its own challenges, I actually think the hardest thing to declutter is aspirational clutter. This type of clutter is tied to your actual identity!
The 5 Most Common Clutter Personalities
The Most Effective First Room: The Kitchen
Among all the choices, the kitchen is one of the best rooms to declutter first.
The 10-10 decluttering method is pretty simple — choose an area, set a timer for 10 minutes and get rid of 10 items in that space. "If you notice other items you don't need, remove them as well, but make sure to stick to the 10-minute timeframe," says professional organizer Tonia Tomlin of Sorted Out.
Developed by Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus of The Minimalists, the 90/90 rule is simple: If you haven't used or loved an item in the past 90 days, and don't see yourself needing it in the next 90 days, it's time to let it go.
The 50% rule for clutter is a straightforward decluttering method that challenges you to reduce the number of items in any space (drawer, closet, room) by half, aiming to keep spaces only 50% full for easier management, better organization, and a less overwhelming environment, often by removing duplicates, unused items, or things you no longer love, creating breathing room and simplifying decision-making.
Six Steps to Decluttering Your Life
As mentioned, 10 items a day quickly adds up and it gives you a real, quantifiable way to track your decluttering progress. Being able to put a number to the amount of things you've decluttered in just a few days can be motivating, encouraging you to keep up the progress.
Be clear about the sentimental items that should have a place in your home. You only have so much space to store them all. "Family photos, heirlooms, and keepsakes are often decluttered because they feel like clutter, when the real challenge is deciding how to honor the memory," says Hines.
A simple formula to declutter your home (and keep it that way)
27 fling boogie: This is another clever tool to help you declutter. Walk through your home with a garbage bag and collect 27 items. Do not stop until you have 27. Then close the garbage bag and throw it away.
The KonMari Method™ encourages tidying by category – not by location – beginning with clothes, then moving on to books, papers, komono (miscellaneous items), and, finally, sentimental items. Keep only those things that speak to the heart, and discard items that no longer spark joy.
How to Declutter Fast: 6 Simple Tips and Tricks
Her concept is deceivingly simple, right down to its self-explanatory name. The rule is: put away your things immediately and avoid handling them more than once after you're done with them. That's it.
Hiding the the stuff we need, but don't want: Craft materials, extension cables and cords, holiday decor, and those pesky items that you don't use frequently but do need to keep for the occasional times you do need them are big contributors to clutter.
The best order to clean a house is top-to-bottom and room-by-room, starting with decluttering, then dusting high surfaces, tackling bathrooms/kitchens (letting cleaners sit), wiping down all surfaces, and finishing with vacuuming and mopping floors to catch falling debris, making the process efficient and thorough.
Make a game plan: To clean your whole house in one day, you'll need to make a schedule or task list for each room - also consider setting time limits for each. This will help keep you focused and will ensure everything on your list gets cleaned. Prioritize: Next, highlight tasks or rooms that need the most attention.
Compulsive decluttering is a type of disorder that is classified within a broad name, obsessive compulsive disorder, or OCD. Compulsive decluttering is the act of throwing items, or clutter, away, or getting rid of them in an attempt to "clean up" what one with the disorder may think is cluttered.
Marie Kondo (近藤 麻理恵, Kondō Marie; pronounced [kondoː maɾie], born 9 October 1984), also known as Konmari (こんまり), is a Japanese organizing consultant, author, and TV presenter. Kondo has written four books on organizing, which have collectively sold millions of copies around the world.