30 Day Declutter Challenge for a Clean, Organized Home
It’s stressful to live in a messy home. Mountains of clothes that seem to cascade out from drawers and rooms that are filled with stuff you use, but mostly just hide away, slowly ascending in both your physical space and the depth of your own mind. The good news? With this easy decluttering challenge that is done step by step, you are going to have a totally different house over the next 30 days!
This book covers a 30-day minimalist system to declutter your home one day at a time, making it simple and easy to clear clutter from any space. At the end of this challenge, your home will be less cluttered and it’ll bring you joy and peace every single day.
30-Day Declutter Challenge — Why Are You Even Starting One?
The Hidden Costs of Clutter
When you have mental clutter or physical clutter in your life that takes up space – that’s a significant amount of energy that goes to cleaning, managing, arranging and it diminishes the quality of your productivity and really mentally impedes on the quality of life. According to a study published in the journal Current Psychology Research, people who are surrounded by clutter or other trinkets experience more stress and feel less able to focus on important things. There are too many precious moments in your life to be lost looking for something in a cluttered room at home.
Benefits of Decluttering Your Home
Beginning a decluttering journey is great for a whole host of reasons:
Way more time saving: You can find everything instantly so there is no more looking for that thing you know you just saw.
More sleep: An organized bedroom encourages a deeper and more restful sleep.
More money in your pocketbook: When everything is easily discovered you put less emphasis on “running out” of something.
An overall boost in creativity: Clear spaces = clear minds.
Less arguing about messes and drama: Means more time together with your loved ones.
Getting Ready: Declutter Challenge Tools & Supplies
The Prep Work: What You’ll Need Before Starting Your 30-Day Transformation
Must-Have Decluttering Tools
- Boxes or containers (at least 4 big ones)
- Trash bags (heavy-duty recommended)
- Easy to read labels and markers
- Some cleaning supplies (general purpose cleaner, microfiber cloths)
- Timer, or a smartphone to keep track of your work efforts
- A camera or smartphone to capture your progress
The Four-Box Method
Label your boxes with the following categories:
- Keep – Items you use and love
- Donate – Items that are still in good condition but you no longer want to keep them
- Sell – Items that are in good condition but you no longer need
- Trash – Stuff that is broken, expired, or unusable
Your Complete 30-Day Declutter Schedule
Week 1: Building Momentum (Days 1-7)
Day 1: Kitchen Countertops Starting from your kitchen counters seems to make a good choice, as you might use this place almost daily. Clear it all, wipe it down and only put back the things you use. Keep seldom used appliances stored in cabinets.
Day 2: Medicine Cabinet in the Bathroom Check for expired medications, old makeup and products you no longer use. Always check expiry dates on all sorts of things and dispose of them properly.
Day 3: Bedroom Nightstands Empty out your nightstand drawers. Keep only essential items, like phone chargers, a couple of reading books and perhaps a flashlight.
Day 4: The Coffee Table in the Living Room Clean off your coffee table area. Create designated areas for remotes, magazines, etc.
Day 5: Kitchen Junk Drawer Everyone has one! Dump it all out and pick through pens, rubber bands, and trinkets. Only keep what you actually use.
Day 6: Bathroom Vanity Tackle under-sink storage and vanity drawers. Arrange like items with like and dispose of anything that is broken or empty.
Day 7: Entryway or Mudroom Declutter shoes, coats and bags from an entryway or mudroom. Establish places for keys, mail and anything else that accumulates near the front door.
Week 2: Gaining Confidence (Days 8-14)
Day 8: Kitchen Cabinets (Upper Level) Work on one cabinet at a time. Look at the expiration dates of all your foods and get rid of dishes you never use.
Day 9: Bedroom Closet Floor Remove shoes and things from your closet floor. Keep shoes tidy with shoe organizers or boxes.
Day 10: Living Room Shelves Get books, decorations and knick-knacks off them. Dust off shelves and put only what brings you joy back.
Day 11: Bathroom Linen Closet Clean out and organize all the towels, sheets and items such as soaps. Give away any excess linen.
Day 12: Kitchen Lower Cabinets Organize pans, pots and cooking utensils. Store what you use most often within easy access.
Day 13: Home Office or Desk Area Tackle papers, supplies and electronics. Set up systems like files for important papers.
Day 14: Laundry Room/Area Clean out cleaning supplies, sort older products and dust behind the washer/dryer.
Week 3: The Deep Work (Days 15-21)
Day 15: Bedroom Dresser Drawers Work on one drawer at a time. Fold clothes the right way, donate clothes that are too small or don’t fit.
Day 16: Kitchen Pantry Check expiration dates, group same items together and use clear containers to organize better.
Day 17: Living Room Entertainment Center Organize electronics, cables and media. Declutter old DVDs or games that you no longer play.
Day 18: Bathroom Shower/Tub Area Remove empty bottles and organize shower essentials. If possible, have shelves or caddies in place.
Day 19: Bedroom Under the Bed Pull everything out from under beds. Vacuum thoroughly and store items in containers.
Day 20: Garage or Storage Area (Section 1) Pick one spot in your garage or basement. Focus on seasonal items and old sporting equipment.
Day 21: Kids’ Toys and Play Area If you have kids, help them decide on what toys they want to keep and donate. Donate items they’ve outgrown.
Week 4: The Final Stretch (Days 22-30)
Day 22: Bedroom Closet Use the “reverse hanger” method for hanging clothes. Turn all hangers backward, and as you wear items, flip them forward. After several months, donate clothes still on backward hangers.
Day 23: Small Kitchen Appliances Evaluate all your small appliances. If you have not used it in the last year, donate it.
Day 24: Living Room Furniture Storage Check all storage ottomans, side table drawers or any furniture with hidden storage compartments.
Day 25: Bathroom Deep Clean Focus on hard to reach corners and behind the toilet this time.
Day 26: Garage or Storage Area (Section 2) Continue with whatever section you still have to do in your garage, basement or attic.
Day 27: Paper Clutter All Over House Collect mail, documents and paper from each room. File important documents and shred material that contains personal information.
Day 28: Final Kitchen Deep Clean Get that remaining area cleaned (maybe it is the refrigerator or spice rack) and finish the final touches on your pantry so your kitchen organization is complete.
Day 29: Bedroom Final Touches Make final decisions about clothing, accessories and bedroom decorations.
Day 30: Celebrate and Plan Maintenance Take some pictures of all your hard work and create a schedule for routines to keep everything organized.
Daily Time Commitment and Strategies
How Much Time Each Day?
Each daily task takes 15-30 minutes max, so this challenge is perfect for those with a busy schedule. Work within strict time frames – set your timer and stick to it. When you are done, pick tomorrow’s task or give yourself a break.
Staying Motivated Throughout the Challenge
- Snap a before and after photo of each area
- Post about your decluttering journey on social media for added accountability
- Treat yourself when you complete a week
- Get the family to join in – it’s more fun when everyone is involved in decluttering
- Listen to something upbeat while organizing things
- Focus on just one small thing at a time! Don’t get distracted by all kinds of projects, because that will only cause overwhelm
Strategic Decision Making: Keeping, Donating or Throwing Away
The 12-Month Rule
If you haven’t used something for 12 months or more, it’s time to let it go. This rule applies to clothes, kitchen gadgets and home decor, to name a few.
Questions to Ask Yourself
If you’re having trouble deciding whether to keep something or not – ask yourself the following:
- Have I used this in the last 12 months?
- Do I own multiples of the same type of thing?
- Would I buy this again today if I saw it in a shop and didn’t have it?
- Does this item spark joy or fulfill a vital purpose?
- Do I have enough room to properly store this item?
Items That Usually Need to Go
- Expired products (food, medicine, makeup, etc.)
- Broken items (that you were planning to fix for months)
- Clothing that no longer fits or is out of style
- Unworn clothing from the past year
- Too many multiples when only one is necessary
- Outdated electronics (they’re either too old or not working properly)
- Paper documents that are available digitally
Creating Lasting Organization Systems
Room-by-Room Organization Tips
Kitchen Success Strategies:
- Keep items where you use them
- Clear off your countertops except for appliances you use every day
- Use drawer dividers for utensils
- Label containers and shelves clearly
Bedroom Organization Essentials:
- One in, one out rule on clothing
- Use matching hangers for a clean look
- Put clothes that are not in season in bins under the bed
- Keep only a few personal things on surfaces
Bathroom Efficiency Systems:
- Use vertical storage to solve space problems
- Group similar items in bins or baskets
- Keep only current season items easily accessible
- Install hooks for towels and robes
The 10-Minute Daily Maintenance Rule
After you complete the 30-day challenge, make sure that you spend just 10 minutes each evening putting all items back in their designated locations. This simple routine prevents clutter from returning.
Common Challenges and Solutions
Challenge #1: Sentimental Items
Solution: Have one box for memories. When it’s full, you need to get rid of something before putting in more mementos.
Challenge #2: “But What If I Need It Later?”
Solution: Take a photo of unclear items. If you don’t remember the item in six months, you obviously don’t need it.
Challenge #3: Family Members Who Resist Change
Solution: Begin with your own things and spaces. Lead by example, and others will follow when they see the benefits.
Challenge #4: Perfectionism Paralysis
Solution: Done is better than perfect. Decide quickly and keep moving. Organization systems can always be tweaked later.
Expert Tips for Maximizing Your Results
The 80/20 Rule of Decluttering
You probably use 20% of your stuff 80% of the time. Keep that 20% in easy reach and store or donate the rest.
Creating Visual Calm
- Use uniform containers for consistency
- Stick to 2-3 color schemes per room
- Arrange items in odd numbers (3 or 5) for a more natural look
- Leave some empty space on shelves and surfaces
Digital Decluttering Bonus
Physical space is only part of the picture – you probably have just as much, if not more, digital clutter:
- Clear your devices of old files and photos
- Unsubscribe from emails you never read
- Organize digital photos into folders
- Clean up your phone’s photos and downloads folder
Maintaining Your Newly Organized Home
Weekly Maintenance Tasks
- Monday: Kitchen – empty dishwasher, clear surfaces for 15 minutes
- Tuesday: Quick bathroom clean and restock towels
- Wednesday: Bedroom tidying – putting things away
- Thursday: Living room straightening (throw pillows, cushions in their place)
- Friday: Laundry day
- Saturday: Garage/storage check
- Sunday: Planning for the upcoming week
Monthly Deep Maintenance
Focus on one area each month to have a detailed organization session. This helps maintain functionality in each area.
Seasonal Decluttering Sessions
Have a mini-decluttering session every quarter of the year. Focus on seasonal things like clothing, decor items and outdoor equipment.
Change Your Life, Not Just Your House
Doing the 30-day declutter challenge is not just about cleaning your physical space – it holds deeper meaning. It will build your ability to make decisions, help you find sustainable practices and teach you what it feels like to keep a promise to yourself.
This is step one on the road to a beautiful, orderly home. Your future self will thank you for making this change today. Begin tomorrow – or even right now, with one small area. Pick a space to begin, set your timer for 15 minutes and start transforming your home… and your life.
Remember, this challenge is not about being perfect. It’s about creating a place that supports your goals and reduces stress so you can focus on what matters most in your life. You will achieve your beautiful, organized living space, one day and one area at a time.
