Declutter Your Home in 23 Days {Days 3-7}
Introduction: Making decluttering progress, one room at a time
Welcome back to the decluttering challenge! You did such a great job last week! I hope you are excited to see some nice progress making your home more functional. Are your ready to jump in this week?
This week will be super productive! Start by gathering your decluttering supplies from last week. Reread our first Declutter Your Home in 23 Days (Days 0-2) post here to bring the tips and strategies to the forefront of your mind.
Here is what you will need this week:
· medium or large boxes
· packing tape
· trash bags
· a permanent marker
· piece of paper (to begin a list on)
· packing paper
· four labels – put away, store away, give away, and throw away.
Free PDF Printables - 4-Box Labels and Lists
Free PDF of Declutter Your Home in 23 Days {Days 0-2}
Free PDF of Declutter Your Home in 23 Days (Days 3-7)
Day 3: Cut Kitchen Clutter: Counters and Under the Sink
Declutter Your Kitchen Counters
When you look at your kitchen, you want to see clear counters, beauty, and no visual clutter. Today, we are going to make that happen! Excited? I am!
Start in one corner of your kitchen, on the counters, look at each item, and ask yourself, “Is this item useful or beautiful?” If the answer is no, place it in one of the four boxes: Put Away, Store Away, Throw Away, & Give Away.
Continue this process for the all counters in the kitchen. You may even find you don’t want your, say, toaster out anymore. You only use it once a week. Clear a spot in the pantry for it and move it there. Todah! The counters are already looking better!
Declutter Under the Sink
Sit down in front of the under-sink cabinets and ask yourself the big question: “Is this useful or beautiful?” While you might not find anything beautiful here, you will definitely find useful items. Sort through duplicates or things you no longer need, and sort them into your boxes - “Put Away,” “Store Away,” “Throw Away,” and “Give Away.” Put away all the needed items in an organized fashion. Note on your list anything that may be helpful under the sink - a shelf, hook, or lazy Susan to help you organize an easily access things.
Now that you have decluttered, take some time to straighten up the counters and under the sink, making sure everything works for you. You might want to add a little décor to the counter, like a pretty plant, or something super practical, like a cutting board or a fruit bowl.
For under the sink, arrange your most-used items at the front and less frequently used items at the back. Note on your list if you see anything that may be helpful under the sink - a shelf, hook, or lazy Susan to help you organize and easily access things. A lazy Susan can work wonders here, giving you easy access to everything with a simple spin. It is a perfect solution for those tricky spaces under the sink!
Wonderful job! Your kitchen is already looking more organized and functional! Did you fill a box? If so, seal it up and label it. Or you can move your trash to a trash bag (depending on your city’s rules) or recycle bin. Feeling a little lighter? I am. :)
Here’s the AFTER in my kitchen. I left a few decorative items, moved the fruit bowl to the right counter (not seen), and put the flour and sugar in the pantry instead of leaving it on the counter in canisters. Now I have a workstation on my island! Horray!
Day 4: Cut Kitchen Clutter: Cabinets and Drawers
Today, we are continuing with kitchen cabinets and drawers. Remember how great your under-sink cabinet looks and feels after decluttering? Let us carry that momentum into the rest of the kitchen!
Declutter the Kitchen Cabinets
Using the four-box method, open the first cabinet and ask yourself the key question: “Is it beautiful or useful?” If the answer is yes, keep it! If not, sort it into one of the four boxes: Put Away, Store Away, Throw Away, or Give Away.
Go through each cabinet until finished.
Declutter the Kitchen Drawers
Once you have completed the cabinets, move on to the drawers and repeat the process. Keep going until everything is sorted and organized.
You are creating a kitchen that works better and feels amazing.
As you work through your kitchen, you might come across items that need replacing—like a muffin pan that is rusted and no longer useful. Go ahead and add "muffin pan" to your list of things to replace. This way, you will not forget to buy a new one!
Also, think about your busiest cooking days, like Thanksgiving or Christmas. How many of each type of dish do you actually need for those events? Anything beyond is classified as excess. Keeping only what you need will make your kitchen more organized and functional.
Keep up the good work, my friend!
Free PDF Printables - 4-Box Labels and Lists
Free PDF of Declutter Your Home in 23 Days {Days 0-2}
Free PDF of Declutter Your Home in 23 Days (Days 3-7)
SL’s Decluttering and Organizing Service
Declutter Your home in 23 Days (Days 0-2)
Day 5: Cut Kitchen Clutter: Pantry and Refrigerator
Now that your counters, cabinets, and drawers are looking great and feeling functional, it is time to focus on the pantry and fridge!
Declutter the Pantry
Grab a step ladder and start at the top of the pantry. Use the Four Box Method to sort things as you go. As you work your way down the pantry, look for expired food, items your family does not eat, and any random non-pantry items that somehow end up there.
Group similar foods together then add to a list of anything you need to replace or stock up on. But don’t make a complete grocery list. You can do that at another time. We don’t want to get off track.
Keep going—you are making excellent progress!
Declutter the Freezer
Now, let us move on to the fridge and freezer! Start with the freezer: Toss anything that is past its optimal date and get rid of open packages with freezer burn. Then, organize the items by category.
Declutter the Fridge
Next, head to the refrigerator. Begin with the doors—check expiration dates and toss anything that is expired. If you find things to replace, add them to your grocery list. Continue with the rest of the fridge.
Congratulations! The hardest room—the kitchen—is officially decluttered. Now, grab your list of rooms from Day 1 and put a big, satisfying check next to “kitchen.” You have completed your first room! Fantastic job!
Day 6: Better Those Bathrooms
Now, let us move on to the second most useful room: the bathroom! Don’t worry! We will take decluttering step-by-step and use our trusted system.
Declutter Bathroom Countertops
Start by taking a quick look at your bathroom counters and around the tub. How cluttered are they? Are there items on the counter or by the tub that are not beautiful or useful? If so, it is time to put them away or get rid of them!
Arrange your countertop so it looks neat and simple. (And easy to clean.) Display only what is necessary, like hand soap, a small vase with flowers, and a set of fresh hand towels. That is all that needs to be on your counter. A clean, organized space will make your bathroom feel fresh and inviting!
Declutter Your Bathroom Cabinets and Drawers
Grab your four labeled boxes and supplies and start opening the cabinets! As you go through each item, ask yourself the key decluttering question: “Is this useful or beautiful?” Sort any unneeded items into the four boxes: Put Away, Store Away, Throw Away, and Give Away. Keep going until all the items are sorted. Put all your needed products back in an organized manner. Your cabinets will be clutter-free and organized for you to enjoy!
Decluttering the Bathroom Tips:
Discard any expired makeup or products. It is important to keep your beauty products fresh and safe to use.
Discard broken items.
Keep only about three sets of towels per person. This helps reduce excess and keeps your linen closet neat and manageable.
Sort and store extras: toothpaste, soap, shampoo, etc. I like to use clear, plastic shoe boxes for this.
Consider adding a lazy Susan to your list to access products under your sinks. They make organization really easy!
Discard expired medicines
If you think of any products that will help keep your cabinets in tip top shape, write them on your list to purchase at a later date.
These small moves can make an enormous difference in keeping your bathroom organized and functional!
Declutter Additional Bathrooms
Repeat this process with all the bathrooms in your home and do not forget to give “bathrooms” a nice, big check on your list to see your progress!
Keep up the great work!
Free PDF Printables - 4-Box Labels and Lists
Free PDF of Declutter Your Home in 23 Days {Days 0-2}
Free PDF of Declutter Your Home in 23 Days (Days 3-7)
SL’s Decluttering and Organizing Service
Declutter Your home in 23 Days (Days 0-2)
Day 7: Boost Your Main Bedroom to New Heights
Declutter the Main Bedroom
Now, let us move on to the main bedroom! Start by scanning the entire room to spot any items that are out of place. Begin sorting them into the four boxes: Put Away, Store Away, Throw Away, and Give Away.
Next, focus on your surfaces. Are they clear except for items that make the room look and feel functional and beautiful? If not, take a few moments to clear away any clutter and arrange only the essentials and decorative pieces that enhance the space.
Remember less is more when it comes to Knick knacks.
Declutter Main Bedroom Drawers and Cabinets
Then open your drawers and cabinets. For each item in them, ask yourself the decluttering question: "Is it beautiful or useful?" Remember to also consider how many of that particular item you need. Do you need 20 t-shirts or 10? This will help you streamline your space and create calm, organized drawers.
Bedroom Declutter Tips:
Make sure your most used items are easily accessed.
Store one extra set of sheets in the bedroom. Put them in a drawer or closet. More than one set of sheets per bed is not really needed unless there are certain circumstances such as a sick or potty-training child.
If you have a chair that collects clothes and clutter, consider getting rid of it or clearing it off and making a goal to keep it clear so you can actually SIT on it.
Your bedroom should make you feel calm and relaxed. A Decluttered space can help!
Do you like the décor in your room? If so, awesome! If not, use the four-box method to relocate some of it.
Really think about your clothes. Consider DONATING clothes in your drawers that:
Don’t fit.
Are uncomfortable.
You don’t feel your best in.
Have seen better days (pilling, holes, etc.).
You have too many of. Example How many pairs of leggings do you need? Probably not more than four since you have a washer and dryer and other pants and skirts. 😊
You don’t have room for.
Are a different style than you like.
Now you can place another check on your list: Main Bedroom! Congratulations. I look forward to next week when we tackle even more clutter and transform our homes into a more functional haven!
