With a new year comes the promise of a fresh start and, for many, the wish for a clean and clutter-free house. A 2012 study by UCLA’s Center on Everyday Lives of Families found that excess clutter has a profound effect on the stress levels of household members, especially mothers who often describe their cluttered homes as “chaotic” and “not fun.”
Those with years or a lifetime’s worth of clutter, excess clothing, or kids’ toys may feel too overwhelmed to start the decluttering process. Luckily, these ten organizing challenges offer an easy way to tackle home organization.
1. Declutter 100 Things in 100 Days (Easiest)
Those seeking an easy organizing challenge should consider decluttering 100 things in 100 days. As the challenge title suggests, all that is required is to find at least one thing to get rid of each day until you’ve amassed 100 total items.
It’s crucial to deal with the stuff you’re getting rid of immediately — throw items in disrepair in the trash and keep a donate box for the rest. Drop the donation box off at the nearest thrift store when it is full.
2. Live Like a Minimalist Challenge (Hardest)
If you’re more into extremes, try living like a minimalist for a month. While this challenge takes more work, it’s a true test of what you can —and can’t— live without.
Here’s how it works:
- Choose a room (like the kitchen, for example)
- Grab a few large containers and add all duplicate items and nonessentials in the container (examples: extra wooden spoons, knickknacks, decor, duplicate frying pans, spatulas, oven mitts, enough plates/cups for each family member, etc.)
- Keep only the bare essentials.
If you need an item during the month, take it out of the box, but leave everything else stored away. At the end of thirty days, you can decide if those extra items are worth keeping.
3. Backward Clothes Hanger Clothes Decluttering Challenge
Turn all the clothes hangers in your closet backward. When you wear a piece of clothing, hang the clothes so that it faces the correct way. After 30 days, remove all clothing items still on a backward hanger.
4. Speed Declutter in Seven Days Challenge
Make the most progress in a short time frame by taking a week off of work or carving out a few hours each day for seven days. Pick the seven most frequently used rooms in your house, and declutter one daily.
Work methodically. Start with a large garbage bag and go through the room, discarding all trash and broken items. Then, grab a donation box and begin filling it with items you no longer use, need, or love. Drop the box off at the nearest donation center when it is full.
5. Join a Reddit Declutter Challenge for Accountability
Join the subreddit r/declutter for monthly decluttering challenges, find accountability, and share progress. At the start of each month, members post new challenges which you can join in on.
6. Clear Kitchen Counter Challenge
Surface clutter makes most homes look sloppy. By clearing your kitchen counters, you’ll increase your productivity and the look of your kitchen, which is probably the most-used room in your house.
Here’s what to do: Put away everything on your kitchen countertops aside from the small appliances you use every day, like the coffee maker or toaster. After thirty days, reassess.
7. Consolidation Challenge
If you’ve ever looked for something in your house, couldn’t find it, and had to buy extra, the consolidation challenge is for you. The goal is to combine like items. For example, rather than having hair things spread throughout the house, keep them all in one bathroom so you know where to look. Do the same for all items, including batteries, wall-hanging supplies, flashlights, candles or lighters, lightbulbs, tools, nail clippers, etc.
