The Declutter Checklist by Room: What to Let Go of First

Decluttering stalls when you stand in a room and try to decide about everything at once. A checklist turns it into small yes-or-no questions.

This list starts in each room with the things that are easiest to let go of. Work through one room per session, and stop when the timer rings.

1Set up three containers and a timer

You need a donation box, a trash bag and a basket for things that belong in another room. Set a timer for thirty minutes. Work in one direction around the room, and do not leave to return items until the timer ends, or you will lose the session to errands.

2Kitchen

Let go of: expired food and spices, chipped mugs, duplicate utensils, food containers without lids, gadgets used less than once a year, old takeout menus, worn dish towels and water bottles beyond one per person plus a spare. Check the back of every shelf, since that is where forgotten things live.

3Bathroom

Let go of: expired medication and sunscreen, makeup you have not worn in a year, nearly empty bottles, hotel miniatures, old toothbrushes, stretched hair ties and towels that have gone thin. Take expired medicines to a pharmacy or a take-back program rather than putting them in the trash.

4Bedroom and closet

Let go of: clothes that do not fit today, anything uncomfortable, duplicates of basics, worn-out underwear and socks, shoes that hurt, hangers from the dry cleaner and bedding sets beyond two per bed. Turn all hangers backwards and flip each one when you wear the item; whatever is still backwards in six months can go.

5Living room

Let go of: magazines and catalogs, remotes for devices you no longer own, DVDs you can stream, burned-down candles, cables without a purpose, toys the children have outgrown and decorative objects you dust but do not enjoy. Give what stays a basket or a tray.

6Home office and paper

Let go of: dried pens, manuals available online, old chargers, expired warranties, paid bills you do not need for taxes and business cards you have photographed. Shred anything with account numbers. Keep one inbox for incoming paper so it stops spreading.

7Storage, garage and entry

Let go of: empty boxes for products past their return window, dried paint, broken tools, sports gear nobody plays, single gloves, bags of bags and coats that have not been worn for two winters. Check local rules for disposing of paint, batteries and chemicals. Give keepers a labeled bin.

Keeping it that way

Take the donation box to the car the same day. A box that sits by the door for three weeks slowly unpacks itself.

If you want a daily plan instead of a room-by-room one, the 30-day declutter challenge breaks the same work into fifteen-minute tasks.