How to Create a Decluttering Schedule You’ll Actually Stick to, According to Organizers

Daily Decluttering Schedule

To avoid an ending up with a stressful full-house declutter to tackle this spring, our pros advise starting with small everyday tasks that have a tendency to pile up over time.

“Spending a few mindful minutes decluttering will keep the chaos in check,” professional organizer Sabrina Sanchez says. “A tidy end to the day leads to a gentler morning.”

Implementing the viral closing shift method will help with staying on top of both cleaning and clutter— and can be done in 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the size of your space. As you reset each room in the evenings, try to take on these decluttering tasks:

• Sort through and shred your mail to prevent a major pile-up at the end of each week.
• When you make purchases, use the “one in, one out” rule to keep unnecessary duplicates to a minimum.
• Put loose items away (whether that’s in a drawer, donation box, or recycling) to end the day with a clear kitchen countertop and dining table.

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Weekly Decluttering Schedule

“Your weekly declutter should focus on categorical organization, a bit like inventory management,” storage expert Max Wilson says. “This approach prevents the overwhelming feeling of tackling an entire room at once.”

The things covered in your weekly declutter still take a little time and effort, so Wilson likes to group them up with similar weekly cleaning routine elements—such as clothes and linens on laundry day, and fridge and pantry items on grocery or garbage day.

Whether you spend an hour or two on the weekend, or split things up over a few days, these are the decluttering items to cover on a weekly basis:

• Clear your entryway area by putting away jackets and extra pairs of shoes, empty all bags and backpacks, and throw away papers and wrappers.
• As you wash and put away laundry, keep an eye out for any old or damaged items that might need donating or replacing.
• Check through your fridge and pantry for any expired items while putting together your grocery list.

Monthly Decluttering Schedule

When it comes to your monthly session, our experts suggest reserving half a day each weekend for a decluttering-style take on the Sunday reset—and Wilson says picking a category of item in your home to focus your efforts on each month can be a helpful way to stay motivated.

But, if you prefer focusing on an area rather than a category, Sanchez recommends picking a room of the month instead.

“Start with what stresses you out most, and prioritize the areas that will make the biggest impact,” she says.

Although the best monthly decluttering tasks will vary from person-to-person (and home to home), these are our experts’ go-tos:

• Clear high-traffic areas that tend to accumulate clutter, such as the desk or your home’s equivalent of “the chair.”
• Focus on a room that would soothe you the most to see clutter-free, like your bathroom, office, or living room.
• Pick one category of items to go through—think books, toys, toiletries, or cleaning supplies.

Seasonal Decluttering Schedule

Whether it’s time for outdoor hosting and barbecues or Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas decor, the shift in seasons tends to bring a switch in style—both in terms of wardrobe and interiors.

“As the seasons change, so do our needs and habits,” professional organizer Corrin McCoy says. “When summer is approaching, for example, you might be shopping for new sandals or swimwear. So, it’s the perfect time to take stock of what you already own in those categories and decide what you would like to part with.”

Since you’ll naturally be digging into your closet, attic, garage, basement, or under-bed storage to swap out your clothing and decor for the season, these are the areas McCoy recommends focusing on during a decluttering day once every few months.

Yearly Decluttering Schedule

Committing to a daily, weekly, monthly, and seasonal schedule means the annual decluttering session can become much more streamlined, but since you’ll be covering every area in the home, the pros still suggest setting aside a full day or weekend so you don’t feel rushed.

“Once a year, conduct a big review,” Wilson says. “The famous ‘spring clean’ is the perfect time to take time to have an extensive sort out.”

“This is the time for a whole-home walkthrough,” Sanchez adds. “Go room by room, with a donation bag in hand, and ask: ‘Do we use this? Do we love this? Is this something we can’t live without?'”

Though it doesn’t all need to get done in one sitting (and our experts actually recommend tackling some of these tasks as the calendar calls for), this is what you’ll want to do on a yearly basis:

• When holidays and celebrations arrive, declutter your decor boxes and donate or dispose of anything you no longer use.
• Set aside one weekend annually for a full decluttering session of your home, going room by room.
• Pay special attention to sentimental items, go through your camera roll, and only keep pieces and photos that bring you joy.