This Decluttering Checklist is for you if you are feeling overwhelmed by clutter but not sure where to start. Clutter has a sneaky way of creeping into our homes, piling up on kitchen counters, cramming our closets, and lurking in forgotten drawers. The good news? Decluttering doesn’t have to be complicated or take forever.
Here’s your ultimate checklist of 50 items you can toss today to reclaim your space and breathe easier.
Ready to reclaim your home (and your sanity)?
Let’s begin!
Kitchen Clutter
The kitchen is a hotspot for clutter. We hold onto things “just in case” but rarely use them. Start here for a quick win!
1.Expired pantry items – Check those canned goods, spices, and sauces lurking in the back.
2.Chipped or mismatched mugs – You don’t need 15 coffee mugs when you use the same two every day.
3.Duplicate cooking utensils – Do you really need three spatulas?
4.Old spices past their prime – If they’ve lost their scent, they’ve lost their flavour.
5.Takeout menus you never use – Everything’s online now anyway.
6.Stained or warped plastic containers – Mismatched lids? Stained beyond recognition? Time to let go.
7.Cookbooks you never open – If you get your recipes from Pinterest, it’s time to clear that shelf.
8.Broken appliances or ones you never use – If it’s collecting dust, it’s not worth the space.
9.Excess water bottles – Keep a couple of favourites and donate the rest.
10.Expired condiments in the fridge – That salad dressing from two years ago? Yeah, it’s time.
Bedroom & Closet Clutter
Your bedroom should be a relaxing retreat, not a storage unit. Let’s clear out the excess!
11.Clothes that no longer fit or you never wear – If you haven’t worn it in a year, you probably won’t.
12.Single socks with no match – The sock-eating dryer strikes again!
13.Worn-out or uncomfortable shoes – If they hurt your feet, they don’t belong in your closet.
14.Old or broken jewellery – If it’s beyond repair or not your style, let it go.
15.Purses or bags you never use – Keep the ones you love and donate the rest.
16.Stretched-out hair ties or headbands – They’re not doing their job anymore.
17.Bedsheets with holes or stains – Treat yourself to fresh, clean linens.
18.Worn-out pajamas – If they have more holes than fabric, it’s time for an upgrade.
19.Excess hangers – If your hangers outnumber your clothes, you’ve got too many.
20.Perfumes or lotions you don’t like – If you never wear them, they’re just taking up space.
Bathroom Clutter
The bathroom is another clutter magnet. Streamline your space by clearing out these unnecessary items.
21.Expired medications – Safely dispose of anything past its expiration date.
22.Old or dried-out makeup – Makeup has a shelf life. Toss anything crusty or questionable.
23.Half-used beauty products you didn’t like – If you didn’t love it the first time, you won’t later.
24.Worn-out or unused towels – Frayed, stained, or never used? Time to go.
25.Hotel toiletries you never use – If you have a stash, it’s probably collecting dust.
26.Rusty or broken razors – No one needs a rusty blade in their bathroom.
27.Old toothbrushes – If it’s more than three months old, replace it.
28.Empty or nearly empty bottles – If you’re not using it, it’s just clutter.
29.Hair tools you never use – That crimping iron from 2005? Bye.
30.Stretched-out loofahs or sponges – These need regular replacing for hygiene’s sake
Living Room & Office Clutter
Your living room and office should be spaces for relaxation and productivity. Clear the clutter to make them functional again.
31.Old magazines or newspapers – If you haven’t read them by now, you won’t.
32.DVDs or CDs you never watch or listen to – Everything’s digital now—make space!
33.Decorative items you don’t love – If it doesn’t spark joy, why keep it?
34.Dead batteries or dried-up pens – Toss the useless ones.
35.Cords and chargers for devices you no longer own – A common clutter culprit!
36.Old paperwork you don’t need – Shred and recycle what’s unnecessary.
37.Duplicate office supplies – Keep what you need, donate the excess.
38.Broken or outdated electronics – If it doesn’t work, it’s just taking up space.
39.Books you won’t read again – Pass them on to someone who will.
40.Random remote controls with no purpose – If it doesn’t control anything, it’s just junk.
Miscellaneous Clutter
The random stuff that somehow piles up, time to clear it out!
41.Outgrown or broken kids’ toys – If they don’t play with it, donate or toss.
42.Instruction manuals for items you no longer own – Recycle them.
43.Random screws, nails, or hardware bits – If you don’t know what they belong to, you don’t need them.
44.Pet toys that are destroyed or unused – Your pet deserves better!
45.Empty boxes you kept “just in case” – If you haven’t used them yet, you probably won’t.
46.Unused or broken holiday decorations – Simplify your holiday storage.
47.Extra buttons that came with clothes you no longer have – You don’t need them anymore.
48.Freebies and promotional items you don’t use – If it’s not useful, it’s clutter.
49.Junk mail and old receipts – Clear out that paper pile.
50.Gifts you feel guilty about keeping but don’t actually like – It’s okay to let them go!
Decluttering doesn’t have to be overwhelming at all, it should just start small! Even clearing out a handful of these items will make a noticeable difference in your home and mindset.
Pick one category, grab a bag, and start saying goodbye to the things that no longer serve you. Before you know it, you’ll have a more organised, stress-free space that actually feels good to be in.
Happy decluttering!
Need professional help? Streamline Your Space with Ducks in a Row
Your Partner in Purposeful Decluttering
At Ducks in a Row, we understand that decluttering is more than just removing excess items; it’s about creating space for what truly matters. Our dedicated team is here to guide you through the process, helping you identify items for donation, disposal, selling, or repair. Book your free consultation today.
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