What is the 50 rule in decluttering?

Author: Richie Feil  |  Last update: Tuesday, March 18, 2025

The 50% rule is a bold, effective decluttering method. Go into a cluttered area and aim to remove half of the items. This is especially powerful for spaces that accumulate a lot of stuff, like the kitchen, bedroom, or garage.

What is the core 4 method of decluttering?

Coined by pro organizer Kayleen Kelly, the “Core 4 Method” breaks the decluttering process into four simple steps: clear out, categorize, cut out, and contain. In essence, it's designed to take the stress and overwhelm out of the organizing process.

What is the 20/20/20 rule for decluttering?

Then we tested our hypothesis: the 20/20 Rule. Anything we get rid of that we truly need, we can replace for less than $20 in less than 20 minutes from our current location. Thus far, this hypothesis has become a theory that has held true 100% of the time.

What should you not throw out when decluttering?

Never throw these 6 things out when decluttering – learn how to organize them instead
  • Important documents.
  • Old paint.
  • Sentimental items.
  • Old keys.
  • Certain travel mementoes.
  • Decorative bins and baskets.

What is the 12-12-12 method of decluttering?

The 12-12-12 decluttering method is a game-changer for organizing small spaces without feeling overwhelmed. By tackling 12 items to throw away, 12 to donate, and 12 to put back in place, you can focus on making progress without needing to do it all at once.

To Declutter Faster, Start with What You Need

What is the 333 method of decluttering?

If you want to take the Project 333 Challenge

Choose 33 items (or less) including clothes, shoes, jewelry and accessories. Pack up and hide everything else and then you don't have to think about shopping or what to wear for the next three months. For more details, here's a little guide.

What is the 90 90 rule for decluttering?

What Is the 90/90 Rule? Here's the gist: When you come upon an object you're unsure about decluttering, ask yourself two questions: Did you use it in the past 90 days? If not, will you use it in the next 90 days? If your answer is “no” to both questions, away it goes.

What is the one touch rule for clutter?

Ltd., said that the one-touch rule involves handling an item only once. “Rather than picking something up and setting it down temporarily, you place it immediately in its designated spot. This habit minimises clutter, and helps maintain organisation, and prevents items from piling up,” he said.

How do you clean when you're overwhelmed by clutter?

Tips For Cleaning When You Feel Overwhelmed
  1. Don't Sit Down. ...
  2. Have the Right Tools for the Task on Hand. ...
  3. Race the Clock Cleaning. ...
  4. Choose Somewhere to Start. ...
  5. Figure Out Your Priorities & Make a List. ...
  6. Create a Cleaning Playlist.

What is the golden rule of decluttering?

Start small and simplify. Beginning the decluttering process by starting small and focusing on one area at a time can be a highly effective strategy to prevent overwhelm, maintain motivation, and achieve tangible progress in organizing your living space.

How do you drastically declutter?

10 Creative Decluttering Tips
  1. Start with 5 minutes at a time. ...
  2. Give one item away each day. ...
  3. Fill an entire trash bag. ...
  4. Donate clothes you never wear. ...
  5. Create a decluttering checklist. ...
  6. Take the 12-12-12 challenge. ...
  7. View your home as a first-time visitor. ...
  8. Take before and after photos of a small area.

What happens to your brain when you declutter your home?

With our brains fixated on the constant reminder of clutter, it can be hard to focus on the task at hand. Decluttering your workspace will likely decrease stress caused by a disorder and be able to free up your mind to focus on necessary tasks.

What are the three types of clutter?

There are a few different categories of clutter, according to Hemphill:
  • Physical.
  • Digital.
  • Emotional.
  • Spiritual.

Where do you declutter first?

Focus on one room or even one section within a room (e.g., kitchen cabinets), and complete that area thoroughly before moving on to the next space. Keep reading to learn helpful methods to declutter your home room by room.

What are the four ClutterBug types?

The ClutterBug Philosophy is founded on the idea that there are four types of organization: the Ladybug, Bee, Cricket, and Butterfly. Each of these organization types focus on distinct needs with visual and practical organization.

What should you not declutter?

What Not to Throw Away When Decluttering Your House
  • PHYSICAL PHOTOS. Our memories are more often immortalized on social media than in leather-bound albums. ...
  • FAMILY HEIRLOOMS. ...
  • DUPLICATES OF THINGS THAT MAKE LIFE EASIER. ...
  • ANYTHING DIFFICULT TO REPLACE. ...
  • ESSENTIAL DOCUMENTS. ...
  • PERSONAL KEEPSAKES.

What is the fastest way to clean and declutter?

What Are The Simple Ways To Declutter Your Home Fast?
  1. Create A Fool-Proof Plan. ...
  2. Create A Decluttering Schedule. ...
  3. Decide The Areas That Need To Be Decluttered. ...
  4. Organise The Clutter Into 3 Categories. ...
  5. Know What You Want To Keep. ...
  6. It's Time To Move On From Old Items. ...
  7. Get Rid Of The Trash Immediately.

Should you clean or organize first?

Always declutter first!! Here's why. #1 It is impossible to effectively clean your home without dealing with your clutter first. If you eliminate the clutter, your home will instantly look cleaner.

How do you let go of clutter emotionally?

7 Tips to Help You Get Rid of Sentimental Things
  1. Start With an Easy Space. ...
  2. Remember, You Are Getting Rid of the Item and Not the Memory. ...
  3. Find Closure by Using the Item One Last Time. ...
  4. Keep Items That Bring You Joy — and Only Those Items. ...
  5. Take Time to Recognize Items That Are Truly Meaningful. ...
  6. Digitize Memories.

What is the 80 20 decluttering rule?

This by-the-numbers decluttering strategy is simple: Only take up 80% of any given space in your home with stuff, and leave the other 20% empty. Generally, that means getting rid of about 20% of the items in your house to ensure your home is comfortable and has a feeling of spaciousness.

What is the boundary method of decluttering?

“A 'boundary' decluttering method is helpful because it puts limits on the amount of items you can have in a category,” Schmidt says. “By setting boundaries on what you own, you can save space, time, and money.”

What's the rule for getting rid of clothes?

Anything that you don't feel good in.

Let go of anything that you put on and you don't feel good in. No matter how they got there, those things shouldn't be part of your wardrobe. You want the items in your closet to be pieces that you love and feel great in. No exceptions.

What is the 9090 rule?

Created by Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus of The Minimalists, the 90/90 rule is a decluttering process that requires you to ask yourself two questions about objects you're not sure about: Have you used it in the past 90 days? And if not, will you use it in the 90 days ahead?

How to declutter in 20 minutes?

How To Implement The 20-Minute Rule
  1. Set a timer — Commit to 20 minutes and no more. This helps keep the task from becoming overwhelming.
  2. Choose a focus area — Each day, select a specific area or category to declutter.
  3. Be decisive — Quickly decide what to keep, discard or donate. Trust your instincts.

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