Between work, family commitments, pets, and health issues, I no longer have much free time and don’t want to spend the little time I have for relaxation on cleaning. That would make me miserable! At the same time, I’m incapable of functioning in a cluttered environment without feeling overwhelmed, depressed, and frustrated.
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that the best solution for someone like me is to minimize the amount of upkeep required to keep my home clean and organized.
I also believe prevention is better than cure, so I have shifted my mindset towards small cleaning acts throughout the week.
10 minutes here and 10 minutes there can make a big difference at the end of the week. Through this approach, I’ve figured out what types of items can be decluttered in 10 minutes.
It’s not a big investment of time and energy, but it is a great place to begin, especially if you are still in the process of making decluttering a habit.
I’ve arranged this list according to the hotspots in a home so that you can work from section to section on how best suits you.
Declutter These Items From Your Home In Just 10 Minutes
In the Kitchen:
- Expired pantry items: Check for old spices, canned goods, or dry items past their use-by date. Don’t even second-guess yourself—dispose of them because they’re the very same ideas that will attract bugs and flees, forcing you to clean up even more!
- Duplicates of utensils: Keep only the essentials and donate extra spatulas or tongs. There’s no need to have duplicate graters, rollers, and sifts when you’re only cooking for yourself or your family.
- Plastic containers without matching lids: Recycle mismatched or cracked containers. It’s not like you can use it to store food without a lid. Remove them from your kitchen and consider using them as planters for herbs!
- Expired or unused condiments: Toss sauces and dressings you haven’t used in months. Do this when you’re preparing a meal since that’s the most convenient time and the best opportunity to turn this into a habit.
- Old dish towels or stained napkins: Replace frayed or permanently stained ones every time you purchase a new set. I tend to throw them into a bag that I use to clean my car or bicycles.
In the Bedroom:
- Worn-out socks with holes: Unless you can’t afford to buy a new pair of socks, you have no reason to hold onto those old ones that have holes. Discard or repurpose socks that have seen better days.
- Clothes that no longer fit or are damaged: Donate or recycle items you no longer wear. If they’re too old to be handed down, try using them for some patchwork sewing projects! I’ve seen my sister turn random pieces of fabric and old pants into handbags and storage pockets that look trendy and unique.
- Extra hangers from dry cleaning: Return them to the cleaner or recycle them. You only have x-amount of hanging space in your cupboards, so it’s pointless to keep more than 2 spare hangers at a time.
- Jewelry you haven’t worn in years: Let go of outdated or broken pieces. Don’t part with your gold though; that’s valuable! Hang onto that. The rest of your old jewelry can go.
- Unused or expired makeup or skincare products: Safely discard products past their prime. Nowadays, I don’t buy new skincare products until I’ve finished whatever I own.
In the Living Room:
- Old magazines or newspapers: Recycle unread or outdated issues cluttering your space. To be fair, in this digital age that we live in, I don’t think it’s a good use of space to keep magazines and newspapers lying around. Get a Kindle! It’s great, and it’s not the same as being on your phone!
- Remotes for devices you no longer use: Get rid of remotes tied to obsolete gadgets or get rid of the older ones for just one universal remote to clear up space and remove unused technological clutter.
- Decor items that don’t spark joy: Simplify by removing outdated or unused decor. Ornaments and fake plants are a nightmare to keep dust-free. Nowadays, minimalistic decor looks stunning, so don’t be afraid of removing a few decor items from your home.
- DVDs, CDs, or books you’ve outgrown: Donate or sell entertainment you no longer enjoy. Most of these things are available digitally, so feel free to declutter them whenever you have a few minutes.
- Dusty throw pillows or blankets: Wash or replace those that have overstayed their welcome. It doesn’t make sense to hold onto old bedding on the off-chance that you’ll go through all the hassle of painting your room a new color again.
In the Bathroom:
- Expired medications or vitamins: Properly dispose of old pills and supplements. They’re not safe for consumption and have no reason to sit in the medicine cabinet. In case of an emergency, you wouldn’t want to grab expired medicines.
- Empty shampoo or soap bottles: Recycle or toss containers you’ve finished. Alternatively, invest in a fancy shampoo or soap bottle and purchase refill packs instead. Not only are refill packs cheaper, but they also present a great way to prevent yourself from overindulging in a variety of shower products.
- Old toothbrushes or razors: Swap out for fresh, effective options. I’m all for keeping spares but not multiple old ones, especially razors, as rust can be toxic to your skin.
- Worn-out towels: Replace frayed or faded towels with newer ones.
- Samples or travel-size toiletries you don’t need: Use them up or donate unopened ones. Alternatively, add these items to an emergency bag that you can store in your car!
In the Office:
- Dried-out pens and markers: Test and toss pens that no longer write. Once per week, I spend a few minutes cleaning up my desk before too much paperwork and stationery accumulate. I always check if my pens are still working and dispose of those that aren’t.
- Old receipts or junk mail: Shred sensitive documents and recycle the rest. If you have a few minutes, take a picture of your receipts before discarding them in the event that you need them down the line. Receipts attached to warranties for expensive products should be filed away in a yearly organizer.
- Unused cords or chargers: Recycle outdated electronics accessories. I would, however, caution you against throwing away chargers because phone manufacturers no longer sell them as a packaged deal. You could save up to $100 by using your previous-gen charger.
- Outdated business cards: Keep only the relevant ones in a cardholder. With most businesses and individuals being accessible online, you can toss those business cards out in 10 minutes.
- Notes or notebooks no longer relevant: Digitize important info and discard the rest. Notebooks that are discolored are not worth keeping around.
Miscellaneous:
- Broken or unmatched shoes: Donate usable items or discard damaged ones. Unless the damage is minimal, it’s not worth keeping those shoes or shoeboxes.
- Toys your kids no longer play with: Pass along unused toys to other families or children in need. This is one of those habits that will put a smile on your face!
- Items in your car you don’t use: Clear out trash, old maps, and unnecessary clutter.
- Old gift bags, wrapping paper, or ribbons: Keep only what you’ll realistically use.
- Unused mugs or bottles: Pare down to your favorites and donate the extras. Unless you invested in high-quality plastic bottles, you might want to dispose of them after a couple of months. The next time you’re restocking your pantry, throw them into a garbage bin before you finish your chores.
Each of these takes only moments to assess and decide on—perfect for a quick decluttering session!
With that being said, I hope this article motivates you to spend just 10 minutes a day decluttering until you make enough progress to invest more time into cleaning your home.
Related article:
How I decluttered my home office desk and found focus