Which Decluttering Technique Works Best for You?

Trying to get rid of clutter is easy for some and an extreme challenge for others. No matter where you fall on the decluttering scale, the right technique can help you sift through the stuff and pare down belongings.

Many of the decluttering techniques go by several names, some more common than others, but they all share one goal — to get rid of copious amounts of unnecessary items. Here are some popular decluttering techniques. See which one works best for you.

The Onion Method

The Minimal Mom, Dawn Madsen, shares a popular decluttering technique that focuses on peeling back your clutter (like the layers of an onion). Start with the large, obvious items, then work down through the piles to the things that require more thought and decision.

This method is a great way to pare down your belongings to a more manageable level before confronting the more challenging items. It is also a great way to build up your decluttering muscles, since you start with the easy stuff and see results quickly.

KonMari Method

Marie Kondo devised the KonMari Method and discussed it at length in her book Spark Joy. She’s since written books, had a TV show, has a tidying course, and inspired fellow declutterers to become KonMari consultants.

Basically, you declutter by category, focusing on clothing, books, papers and kimono (miscellaneous). Marie recommends ending with sentimental items, since these typically require the toughest decisions.

You handle each item individually, asking yourself if it sparks joy and if it’s time to pass it along, out of your life. This method takes time, but it’s certainly thorough if you have the time and patience.

Contain With Containers

Dana K. White, the brains behind A Slob Comes Clean, reminds you that a container is supposed to contain stuff. If you have a lot of a particular item, for example, you love gel pens, then get a reasonably-sized container for your pens. Once it’s full, you can’t keep any more pens. If you get a new pen, you need to swap it out for one from the container.

You need discipline for this technique because you aren’t allowed to just go buy more containers. That defeats the point of the container concept. But it’s an excellent way to help you keep your inventory at a manageable level if you struggle to part with things.

The 30-Day Minimalism Game

Perhaps the most famous faces of Minimalism are Ryan Nicodemus and Joshua Fields Millburn, better known as The Minimalists. These guys focus on living without excess, to the point of having hardly anything at all. The goal is to enjoy a stress-free, simpler life that focuses less on stuff and more on experiences.

The 30-Day Minimalism Game has a simple concept — you declutter for over a month. Give one thing away on day one, two things on the second day of the month, and so on, until you reach the last day. It starts really easily, but it gets tougher as you go. By day 30, you will have made many decisions and let go of over 400 items.

The 12:12:12 Challenge

Joshua Becker (Becoming Minimalist) talks about minimalism being a way to find what’s most important to you. Only keep things that add value to your life. Everything else goes.

The 12:12:12 Challenge encourages you to donate 12 items, toss 12 items, and return 12 items to their correct place in the home. Perhaps you do this one day, then the next day you repeat it until you feel you’ve mastered your clutter.

House Hushing

This tip aims to help you find the best design and vibe for your space, but you end up decluttering in the process. It’s a technique proposed by designer, blogger, and author, Myquillyn Smith (The Nester). You remove everything from a room, except for the curtains and large furniture items (unless you’re going for a full overhaul).

Wait at least 24 hours, living in this empty space to get a good sense of how it makes you feel. Then, start adding things back in gradually until it feels just right. Anything that doesn’t make it back into the space, is potential clutter that needs to go. Some organizers refer to this practice as decluttering backward.

Helpful Tips for Making Hard Decisions

When you’re trying to decide what to get rid of, it can be tricky. If you work at it for a long time, you may get decision fatigue, either tossing things blindly or holding onto everything. If you get stuck, try these tips to keep things more manageable.

Ask yourself if you could find this item again within 20 minutes for less than $20.
As you get something new, let go of something else. This is usually referred to as the one-in-one-out rule.
Ask yourself the classics — when was the last time you used the item? Do you have more of the item? Is the item covered in dust or in bad shape? Let your answers guide you to the donate pile, trash heap, or sell box.

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