50 things to declutter NOW {and you won't miss 'em}
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- Опубликовано: 5 фев 2025
- If you're looking to simplify, here are 50 ideas to encourage your decluttering and to get you thinking differently about the stuff. Keep in mind, decluttering is a HUGE and emotional task. Like all good things, it's a process of learning and growth. I believe in you.
And, for those who want to reference a written list as well...
👗 CLOTHING
1. That doesn’t fit (or outgrown)
2. Pattern or color you dislike
3. Needs alterations (do it this week or donate by Sunday)
4. Fancier than your lifestyle
5. Holiday/special occasion themed
6. Seasonally inappropriate (storage or donate)
7. Hand-me-downs that didn’t work out
🏺 DECOR
8. Holiday decorations
9. Used up candles/scents
10. Decor that makes cleaning harder
11. Decor that has been sitting around waiting for a home
12. Decor that isn't multipurpose
🧸 TOYS
13. Toys getting little to no use
14. Toys that have been forgotten
15. Toys that have too many small parts
16. Toys that are broken
17. Toys that you don’t think are in your child’s best interest
18. Developmentally inappropriate toys
19. Conceptually fixed toys
20. Toys that do too much and break too easily
21. Toys that overstimulate/entertain
22. Toys that claim developmental advantages
23. Fad toys
24. Dried out or used up art supplies
25. Cheap art tools (paint brushes from sets)
26. Toys that are too large for the space
🔪 KITCHEN
27. Food past its prime (trash it)
28. Food you don’t like (donate it)
29. Appliances you bought and never used
30. Cookbooks with overly complicated recipes or that required you to buy more stuff
🤪 RANDOMS
31. Cleaning supplies you don't like or didn't live up to the hype or were weirdly complicated
32. Gifts you were given but don't want or plan to use
33. Extra buttons, snaps, etc.
34. Leftovers from craft projects
35. Trash
36. Outdated technology
37. Empties (lotion)
✔️ CATEGORIES
38. Been meaning to sell (list it today or donate)
39. Tried and failed to sell
40. duplicates
41. old versions
42. Things you already decided to declutter (but never got rid of)
43. Things that aren’t a definite yes
44. Things that you can get by without
45. Clutter catchers (flat surfaces, storage furniture, baskets)
46. Things from a past season of life
47. Excess organization/storage bins
48. Book you don't want to read again
49. Books you bought but never read
50. Things you're not using
🎙 MENTIONED
Simplicity Parenting by Kim John Payne: amzn.to/48wPGaa
👉 DISCLAIMERS
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Music licensed by Epidemic Sound.
I just recently decided to reclaim my space! I’ve been taking carloads to the thrift stores over the past week! Thank you!
That’s so exciting!! Congrats!
@@papertownhome it is liberating! I don’t miss any of it! 😂
Hello 👋 from the Westcoast of Canada. I just recently found your channel and I absolutely love your videos. “We all sometimes have to pay the stupid tax”. That one made me laugh out loud. Thank you for your content and thank you for being you. Have a wonderful day. 🙂
Thank you so much!! Welcome 🤗
I really agree with you on having a smaller wardrobe. I decluttered a lot of clothes, my streamlined closet works perfectly and I only have stuff I love and feel good in. ❤
I totally agree! It’s the best.
got the kids down to 1 quilt, 2 sheet sets, mattress pad, 2 comforters!!!
That’s awesome!
I rlly needed this! I KNOW there’s so much stuff to the point I’m overwhelmed constantly but I was taught to hold onto EVERYTHING ALWAYS this gave me a really solid starting point.
A quick tip for the extra buttons! My husband and I have started investing in nice clothes with unique buttons, so we have a "button bag" in our junk drawer. It was worked great for us! Kid pulled the button off my new church dress? Go to the button bag to get the spare!!
Your suggestion to do cleaning at times when Seasonal decorations must be changed is brilliant!
The food one just reminds me of your famous quote: "This watermelon tastes spicy." I love you so much!
😂
The Stupid Tax -- yes! Oh I have definitely paid into the Stupid Tax over my lifetime. 😯 Trying to avoid the Stupid Tax might be a way to help me buy more intentionally 😉
For some people (like me) decor that's "just" decor can serve multiple purposes! I want to get decor that is rounded or pointy on top so that 1) it makes me happy when i see it and 2) it uses horizontal space in a way that prevents future clutter. Baskets and storage are awesome, but i wonder if my "out of sight, out of mind" will hit too hard with those. I love how you to phrase things in a way that people can adapt to their own needs and wants!
The cookbook was asking too much of you. 😂 Love it!
🤣
When you started sorting the toys out due to the camera angle and the whatnot you looked like the mum from the first Toy Story film picking them up :) (6:20 onwards)- made me laugh. Great video! Super advice!
Haha 😂 that’s awesome! Now I want to watch Toy Story.
Amazing take on decluttering. I've watched hours of videos on decluttering, especially Minimal Mom. I love your honesty. Just found you today and love your videos! Thanks for doing what you do.
Thank you so much! I’m so happy you’re here!
The toys !!!!!! We just decluttered more of my toddlers toys, especially alot of pretend items like play kitchen. We have found that if we allow her to interact with the real thing, like meal prep or kitchen chores , she gets the same enjoyment out of the process while also learning skills for independence.
That is awesome! And so true! We never got into kitchen toys but I let Peyton cook with me and she’s all about it. I’ve also found that we didn’t need things like pretend doctor equipment (lol, what category of toy is that?). My daughter uses phone chargers as a stethoscope and blocks as thermometers. Kids are awesomely creative 🤩
@@papertownhome yes totally!
Great tips! Though I think getting rid of toys should always be done together with the child. Children are very generous when you explain to them the concept of other children not having a lot of toys and gifting unwanted toys to those children in need. Sometimes taking away toys without their say so leaves a deep gap, that later on in life they fill with collecting and hoarding, which is not ideal. So doing that together is a great bonding activity. 😀
Meeee! I had a lot more actual traumatic things happen in my life, but funnily enough this is something that stuck with me a lot - losing toys or having them taken without asking me first.
I’ve had a really hard time letting things go, and am finally shifting from being a hoarder myself.
Agreed - but I also think it depends on the age of the child! Her kids are young enough (as are mine) that they don’t fully understand. You can go through with or without them, but keep the toys hidden somewhere. If there are some they ask for, pull those back out. The others can get donated, sold, etc
I think it can overwhelm young children when you ask them to give their things away. I like her video about decluttering toys.
This is such a tricky subject! There are some beloved childhood items my parents got rid of without my permission and to this day, it saddens me that I didn't get to make the choice. Some I would have liked to have kept for my children. Coincidentally I was watching Hoarders with my husband today and without exception, the people on that show had experienced some sort of trauma. Sometimes you just never know. Something that seems worthless to you may be your child's treasure. I do think it's important to respect them and their wishes and to trust them to make these decisions for themselves.
@ForHisGlory222 I'm pretty sure attentive parents can make that kind of choice for young children. We might be thinking of different age groups. And about the trauma: losing some of your toys would be a pretty wild source of trauma. Not being seen by your parents and remembering an event where they carelessly gave away your toys could be representative of an attitude they had that caused you a lot of sorrow, but no toddler becomes a hoarder because their parents got rid of most toys - talking about very young children here. My younger daughter (20 months) really wouldn't care, my almost 4-year-old would care about several things, definitely not all of them. Both would not be traumatized if I hid half of their stuff from them for a year and then checked which toys they actively remember and want back. 😉
P.S. I totally think you should talk about this similar topic related to your car...you are so good at keeping your car decluttered!
I wrote this list down on paper and included the guilt and shame attached to the fantasy self she spoke about at the end. Decluttering that too. I'm about to feel so light and free!!
I too have immediately donated things that I've been gifted knowing full well I'll never use it.. I appreciate the love and gesture of the gift/gift giving but if I KNOW I won't use it and it'll clutter up my space I'll put it in our local blessing box for free or to a thrift store where I know someone else will love to find it! ❤
Seasonal clothes - for some people it may be worthwhile keeping a small stash while their kids are still in school - every year our kids come home with a selection of “tomorrow is Christmas sweater day” notes (sometimes it’s beach day, pink shirt day, etc) and I have to rush to the thrift shop the same evening to find something (not gonna spend $$$ on something just for a day). Of course, not all kids care whether they wear themed stuff, but some may feel awkward if they’re the only ones not wearing it
Really good point! I don’t have school aged kids and I was homeschooled 😂 so that literally NEVER occurred to me.
Haha I’m fortunate so far that my oldest (first grader) doesn’t like spirit days and errs on the more introverted side 😊💗
@@ruthiespotion haha I love that. A true individual!
I diy the Christmas sweater. Get basic sweater then attach some cute pins or a little battery powered garland or crochet some fluffy cuffs and appliqués and sew on quickly.
@@anastasiya8314 I like that! Makes the sweater more versatile.
Have been LOVING your content!!!! You’re adorable and I wish we could be real life friends.
Same! It’s bittersweet to get connected to so many likeminded women but only remotely.
Great list and delivery, you have a straight forward, refreshing style!
Thank you!
I'm so glad you said you declutter Christmas gifts the moment you get home! I do this every year! One year my husband was so taken aback that I immediately put the gifts into my donate box lol (it was a substantial amount that went in that year)
Getting rid of clothes that are too small? What a great piece of advice!!
Hard to do though! Many of us need the encouragement :). I know I do.
I just wanted to say, that I also put the hanger in my mouth for some clothes to hang up. 😂😂😂 great content ❤❤
😂 I love it!
@14:51 haha I felt that 🙃. Great list, new sub here! Love your idea of getting all the wintertime decor out now to declutter. I have immediately donated SO many gifts from my mother and mother in law - both for me and my kid. It's easier to donate something I know I won't use when I remember someone else will be happy to find it in a thrift shop. And bonus points when the item still has a tag on it!
Absolutely! I went thrifting this week for my daughter’s wardrobe and was so excited about the things with tags still on. Such a score!
Long time minimalist. Enjoying your spin on things.
Thanks! Love your screen name!
I’ve been binge watching your videos, thank you cuz I’m generally an organized person and having 2 young children and seeing the life I could live without all these material things to clean and organize has so much more potential and I crave that! Now, can you please share how many clothes should children have? I’ve implemented washing clothes everyday and I’m seeing how much clothes we have.. but I also want to have enough for when we travel. Help my brain. Thank you and God bless!
Girl, I could have written this exact comment 😂 I have wondered if I am adhd recently bc I’ve just been so overwhelmed with the chaos that is having two children and trying to keep a clean organized home. This stuff if giving me life & I am absolutely craving this lifestyle . I have been for a while & have already declutter about 70 % of our things but there is still more work to be done.
Notions are hard to replace nowadays, it’s hard to find a store to buy them. Just put all the buttons in a box.
Good to know!
Ooh I would love to see what toys you keep and declutter next!! :)
I DEFINITELY need to do that video. I'm scared 🤣 but I need to.
@@papertownhome Especially those Lovevery toys. My 10 month old is still getting lots of use now and we've loved them, but I can see how I'm going to feel so attached even once they've outlived their usefulness. They are one of those items for me that have a lot of "motherhood" wrapped up in them.
@@monicalmoss 100 percent! You’ve hit the nail on the head. That’s exactly how I feel about them.
This is soooo helpful!!! I love this list!
You are a girl after my own heart!! Thank you thank you for the encouragement and good ideas!!!
Thanks for this lovely video❤
Loved the video! Thanks!
Very helpful suggestions. Loving your content.
Enjoyed this! Question: what sort of gifts are you buying for your kids if you maybe are no longer adding any new toys to your household?
Just stumbling on this video and I see this message. You can buy them things they need and might still be happy with, like a new pair of rainboots or pajama's that they love. You can give them an experience, like going to the zoo, movies or a restaurant they'll love. Even taking the time to do some baking at home may be lovely. You can buy stuff that empties as it's used, like art supplies or sideway chalk (don't know about the English word but the chalk to make drawings outside on the sideways). Books I think are always lovely. You can consider a subscription to a playground or the library. Also, more of the same is always a possibility (as long as you kid uses it!), consider magnetic toys, lego, lego duplo, playmobile (not sure about all the brand names in English), railway sets,... Also, at some point they may be ready for new toys as they get older. In any case, go for quality over quantity.
enjoy the content. Keep on sharing with us
Thank you, I will!
wonderful film!
Thank a lot!
I'm so thankful i found you!! There's lots of minimalism content but minimalism AND doing it while having a family is harder to find. 💚
Thank you! I'm so glad you're here! And, excited I can be sharing my experience with it all :)
I would have loved to hear your video, but the background music never stops, and after two - three minutes I couldn't manage to filter it out anymore. My problem I know. But I really wish you would only play music in the intro ...
Sorry to hear that! Let me do a poll to see where the audience lands on use of music throughout. Could also be an issue of needing to mix it to be a little softer. Very good feedback though!
That is exactly what I came to say. I love the content and your style but the music distracts alot.
@@anniewatkins7646 I've actually scheduled a poll to go to my audience tomorrow so folks can weigh in on use of background music! Be sure to check back. It should publish in the a.m.
I agree but love the content
@@papertownhomeHi I'm german and even I stoped after 30 seconds because the loud music make it soooo hard to understand you 😅
Good video! I love the cutting board. But I think it would be too expensive to shiping it to Austria 🇦🇹! Best greetings Birgit
Thanks Birgit! I wish I could send it to you!
@@papertownhome This would be great 😊
I am biggest minimalist of all minimalists 😂 will think hundred times before purchasing. And I don’t have anything to declutter 😂
This was very helpful, thank you!
“Stupid Tax”. I love that!
What if you’re not done having kids?? I feel like I need to keep every piece of clothing and toy for future kids use? Do you just get new everything for every kid?
Definitely not! I learned what I actually liked to have (the things that were truly helpful) after my first kid and let go of the rest. Then I kept what I needed for the baby years until I knew I was done having children. My one rule was the things I kept had to fit into one storage bin.
That said, there’s so much stuff that can be found at a discount through Facebook or thrifting. I would completely understand if some people chose to rebuy. Especially if they were limited on storage.
Love your channel!
Thank you so much!
"Anything that has been upgraded.. my husband..." 😂
🤣
Thx you! Just found you! You are amazing!!
You’re so kind! I’m so happy you’re here.
GOOD VIDEO!
What about clothes that my kids grew out of but I plan to have more kids so I keep it for them.
Absolutely keep those! I kept a bin of clothes for kids until I was done. But, I went through and got rid of everything that was stained, worn out, impractical (or I just didn't like). One rule you can set for yourself is to only keep what you can comfortably store. So, if you have space for 2 bins, that's what you keep. Or, only keep what you'll need for your laundry routine. Right now I have 5-7 outfits for each of my kids, which is more than enough since we do daily laundry.
RE: Toys; anything with small or age-inappropriate small parts can be easily stored in an organized way by using clear square containers. Among the many grocery consumables you may purchase, like candies, pickles, nuts, or even pet treats many come in clear containers, with bright colorful tops. These come with wide open tops, good for an adult hand, and labels come off in minutes with Goo-Be-Gone. These square jars easily stack on shelves, keeping small items off of the floor, everyone loves a way to safely store LEGO's and other forms of plastic caltrops.
Not just good for children's toys, they're great for adult crafting items too.
I prefer clear containers, because if I can't see it, it doesn't exist and may as well be thrown away.
Do you live in Buena Vista?? Lol that's not that far from me!
What would you do if you got married, moved out, and had your own space, but then the unexpected happened (you became pregnant (I was 43 at the time) and then your husband, lost his job) and you ended up having to move into a 600 square foot studio that your family owns. It was only meant to be temporary, and your husband got a new job, and you were slowly climbing out of the hole you were in, and then the plague happened, which has caused you to have to live there longer. We have all of the "fixings" that we picked out from wedding money, but our place is too small for everything. Now we store things in the garage that should be in our kitchen. But, our kitchen, at the moment, is the size of an rv kitchen. We don't even have a proper stove. What would you suggest? Would you declutter that anyway, since it's not getting used? Or would you keep it. Let me also say, that we are a one income family, because I homeschool.
That comment about the lotion bottle with just a tiny bit at the bottom really struck home with me. Same with toothpaste. Why do we feel such guilt over such a minor thing? I’m trying to be better about knowing when to let it go.
I love that. Learning to let go has definitely been a process for me too. It’s taken a lot of shifts in my thinking.
Used lotion bottles and pumps I rinse them out for the recycling bin. If the lotion is super thick you can add a little water to use up the last bit.
Lotion tubes I cut the end off with scissors. I live in the desert. I go through lots of lotion and it can get expensive.
I squeeze out every last drop of toothpaste as well, but that's a cost issue as well.
Being frugal is okay. As you make adjustments to throw almost empties out it will get easier. For me, washing them for the recycling drop off helps relieve that anxiety. Hope that helps. ♻️
Toys with too many little parts
Polly Pocket sets: “Hello”
When people gift my children toys they aren’t ready for (small pieces, age wise) I store them for later in months to a year max.
Thank you for your video! Yiu have a lovely way of letting your viewers know it's alright and they can fix their situation.
You may want to be careful about citing Waldorf ideology. Granted, they have some nice toys, but the ideas behind Waldorf are seriously unpleasant and essentially conceived by Rudolf Steiner, who claimed to have glimpsed these pieces of wisdom from some hidden source. It's not really open to new ideas and scientific advancements like, e.g. Montessori.
Amazing
Thank you! Cheers!
Great ideas, but is the background music really necessary ALL through your videos? I feel as though I'm working to concentrate on what you are saying, and I do want to know what you are saying.
What is a conceptually fixed toy? Example? Why?
I think by "conceptionally fixed toy" she means a toy that is likely to have a "fixed" meaning in the mind of a child. For example, a doll that looks exactly like Elsa from the movie "Frozen" will probably only be used to play Elsa with. A more neutral looking doll may be used to represent Elsa or any other TV character or (even better) a character of your child's imagination.
Waldorf education encourages you to give your child simple and versatile materials to play with in order to enhance your child's creativity.
@@josephinemorgenstern8161 Thanks! That makes sense. I had just never heard the term before…but at the same time children are pulled toward those toys for that specific reason because they like that character. I would have a difficult time trying to get my son to pretend another doll is spiderman and it look nothing like him. 😂
@josephinemorgenstern8161 Thanks for jumping in! This explanation was perfect.
@vcook9710 Sorry for being slow to respond! I was thrilled to see Josephine was able to jump in and provide more clarity. Also, I probably could have been more clear in the video, but this category was meant to be one of many ideas. It's definitely not something that I expect will work for or be a priority for every family.
Need. To know to keep things useful & to shares to give gifts relatives .Friends Neifhbors .good .
Very inspiring video. Thank you and aboniert.
Yay! Thank you!
Just discovered your channel and I love your content-but please just omit that background music. It really detracts.
Thanks Caroline! Appreciate you watching! That seems to be a trending opinion, especially with this video. Hopefully the more recent videos are a better experience. I've been more careful to keep music contained to intros and outros. Or, to keep it super, super low.
❤
Can barely hear you.. can hear the music though
Very strong background music. Distructed me very much and made me feel uncomfortable to continue listening. Otherwise, very useful video👍
I'm glad it wasn't just me. After a while I felt anxious. I'm quite musical, and I noticed when it started over, changed, surged. The distraction upset me, and I'm not easily upset.
Really good advice. I will be declaring some toys based on your toys video. Ty so much. Subscribe from me
This is interesting, but it doesn't apply to people who are struggling financially and can't afford to replace it down the road if they change their mind or circumstances.
I've run into that a lot and what has helped is I started using specific bins or drawers as a "time will tell" space (one of my favorite Minimal Mom tips!)
Another great tip that goes hand-in-hand with this is, "Can it be replaced for $20 or less?" As a frugal and particular person myself, this has helped me get rid of more generic items like books, craft supplies, blankets, and decor, while better justifying the space used by pricier or more unique items that I would rather not part with yet :)
i think the thing to keep in mind is that “what if i need it?” is a lack mentality approach to life. you don’t need to get rid of things that you need/use. but holding onto (an example from my life) sweaters/clothing i didn’t wear/like/feel good in so as to trick my brain into thinking i had lots of clothes was pointless. i opened the closet to so many pieces of clothing, but very few i felt good in/wanted to wear and, in some cases, couldn’t wear. so i asked myself “are these pieces that could be of value to someone else? if yes - donate/deliver. if i could sell and bring a little money to our family - sell. if broken/stained/picked - trash. we don’t need nearly what we think we need. i am still working on this. i am working on our house working for us, not us working for our house. if we were moving, would i take it with us/pay to have it packed/put it in storage? if NO, it needs to GO.
Get rid of the stuff you wouldn't replace.