Importance of decluttering
Decluttering and organizing your home can make your living space feel easier to navigate, clean, and enjoy. Clearing out items you no longer need can also reduce visual distractions and make it easier to find what you use most.
Clutter can make it harder to keep surfaces clean and may create places where dust and allergens accumulate. In damp areas, excess belongings can also make moisture or mold problems harder to spot and address. Keeping spaces clear and regularly cleaned can help support a cleaner indoor environment.
Home decluttering tips
There’s no single right way to declutter your home. If you’re not sure where to start — or how to stay focused — these basic tips can help:
- Make a decluttering checklist and set manageable goals
- Focus on one room or area at a time
- Set a timer and spend a few minutes each day decluttering
- Make a plan to sell, donate, recycle, or safely dispose of unwanted items
- Get your family or household involved in the process
Above all, work at a pace that feels manageable. Breaking the process into smaller tasks can help you stay focused and make steady progress.
Creating a home decluttering plan
When you’re ready to declutter, start by creating a home decluttering checklist. Use our checklist below, download the printable version, or create your own so you can tailor it to your home and priorities.
Organizing your checklist by room can make the project easier to manage. For example, create separate tasks for the bathroom, kitchen, living room, and other spaces. Focusing on one room or area at a time can help you maintain momentum without taking on the entire house at once.
Decluttering room-by-room
Every room may require a slightly different approach, but you can organize everything in one home decluttering checklist. As you work, sort items into categories such as keep, sell, donate, recycle, and dispose. Set aside items that may require special handling, including certain electronics, batteries, medications, paint, or household chemicals.
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Old magazines and newspapers
- Decorative items you no longer want or display
- Unused or outdated electronics
- Books, games, movies, and other media you no longer use
- Furniture that no longer fits your space or needs
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- Clean out junk drawers, cabinets, and countertops
- Donate or remove excess cookware, dishes, and utensils
- Check the pantry and refrigerator for expired or spoiled food
- Review unused cleaning products and follow product labels and local guidelines for safe disposal
- Organize food-storage containers and match containers with their lids
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- Unused electronics, chargers, and cables
- Unused or excess office supplies
- Decorative items you no longer want or use
- Shred or securely dispose of documents you no longer need
- Digitize appropriate notes and records when useful, while keeping originals that should be retained
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- Review medications and safely dispose of expired or unused medicines through recommended take-back or disposal options
- Discard expired or unwanted cosmetics when appropriate
- Replace worn or unwanted personal-care items
- Review unused cleaning products and follow product labels and local guidelines for safe disposal
- Reorganize cabinets and the area under the sink
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- Clear out shelves, cabinets, and storage spaces
- Review unused laundry products and follow product labels and local guidelines for safe disposal
- Organize laundry baskets, bins, and supplies
- Clean the dryer lint filter regularly and inspect the dryer vent and exhaust system according to manufacturer guidance
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- Organize by category, such as tools, sports equipment, gardening supplies, camping gear, and holiday decorations
- Review empty, damaged, or unused supplies and dispose of them according to product labels and local guidelines
- Donate, recycle, or dispose of unused, damaged, or outgrown sports equipment as appropriate
- Consolidate similar items into clearly labeled storage containers
- Set aside paint, automotive fluids, batteries, chemicals, and electronics that may require special disposal or recycling
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- Donate or sell clothing and shoes you no longer wear
- Remove damaged linens or bedding you no longer use
- Organize seasonal clothing and accessories
- Clear nightstands, dressers, and other surfaces
- Review items stored under the bed or on closet shelves
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- Remove shoes, coats, bags, and accessories that are no longer used
- Organize frequently used items so they are easy to access
- Sort mail and papers before they accumulate
- Clear floors and walkways of unnecessary items
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- Sort stored items by category
- Review seasonal decorations and rarely used household items
- Donate or sell items that have been stored but not used
- Recycle or safely dispose of damaged electronics, batteries, paint, chemicals, and other items that may require special handling
- Use labeled containers for items you plan to keep
Use these ideas to build a decluttering checklist that works for your home. You don’t need to tackle everything at once. Work through one room or area at a time, adjusting the checklist to fit your space and priorities.
Selling or donating unwanted items
What should you do with items you no longer want? Depending on the item and its condition, you may be able to sell, donate, recycle, or dispose of it.
Start by identifying items that are expired, damaged, empty, or no longer usable. Check product labels and local guidelines before disposing of medications, electronics, batteries, cleaning products, paint, automotive fluids, or other items that may require special handling.
Items that are clean and in usable condition may be good candidates for donation or resale. Before donating, check with the organization to confirm what it accepts, since guidelines can vary by location and organization.
As you declutter, use separate boxes, bags, or designated areas for items you plan to keep, sell, donate, recycle, or dispose of. Keep items requiring special disposal separate until you can take them to an appropriate collection or take-back location.
Organizing your remaining items
Once unwanted items are sorted and ready to leave your home, organize what remains. Before buying new storage products, consider whether you can make better use of the shelves, drawers, cabinets, and containers you already have.
Consider:
- Organizing blankets and throw pillows
- Grouping books, games, and media
- Using small baskets or trays for remote controls and other frequently used items
- Grouping plates, cookware, and pantry items by type
- Labeling select drawers, shelves, or containers when it makes items easier to find
Get your family, roommates, or other household members involved so everyone knows where commonly used items belong.
Maintaining a clutter-free home
Decluttering doesn’t have to be a one-time project. Periodically go through your home room by room to identify items you no longer need, use, or want.
Making decluttering a regular habit can help prevent items from piling up over time and make it easier to keep your home organized.
Taking the stress out of finding a home
We hope this guide helps you make the most of your current home. If your plans include moving to a new home, CrossCountry Mortgage can help you explore your home financing options. Connect with a loan officer or start the online application process when you’re ready.
