28 day Declutter Challenge
“How do I even start?”.
Sound familiar?
Well I’m here to remind you that Rome wasn’t build in a day! I find that doing one task each day can be one of the most rewarding ways to begin this decluttering journey to Clarity.
Below you will find 28days, broken down into achievable tasks, bigger jobs on the weekends and smaller jobs on weekdays.
**BONUS**
At the very bottom of this page you will also find a the days set out onto a calendar ready for you to use.
Day 1
First things first, lets clear all the clutter off your bench tops to allow a better flow for this month long challenge, somewhere to work while you sort.
Day 2
Is your front door a bit of a dumping ground of kids bags and shoes? Lets rectify that today. Get the kids involved and encourage everything back into its rightful place.
Day 3
Lets get your cutlery drawer sorted, this may not be the place to declutter too much, but I'll bet everything will sit much better with a good clean out of those pesky crumbs. (Don't forget to clean underneath your cutlery tray!)
Day 4
Handbags, purses and wallets bulging at the seams? Today you are going to clean these out, file receipts and check expiry dates on cards. Empty your coins into a money box, or jar ready for banking. Lets lighten the load!
Day 5
When was the last time you saw the back of your tv cabinet? Let get all the dust bunnies out and get rid of any old remotes, broken DVD's and sort all loose cords.
Day 6
It' the weekend! Time to tackle some of the bigger jobs. Your bathroom cabinet can often be a place of neglect. Clean out all old products, anything you no longer use, or that is past its best.
day 7
Many see cleaning the fridge is a thankless task, but it is so rewarding once its done, to be able to clearly see everything you have and makes grocery shopping a breeze.
Day 8
The dreaded junk drawer, everyone has one! Today you are going to empty that drawer and decide on a home for everything! Tip* Categories help! Use drawer trays to separate items within the space to make them easier to find.
day 9
Bring all your glassware out of the cabinet onto you clear bench, give the shelf a wipe and repack in order of shape and size
Day 10
Bedside Tables can often be a place we overlook. Lets take everything off, take the cups of water back to the kitchen and really assess what you NEED beside your bed each night.
Day 11
Just like our cutlery drawer, you may use everything in this drawer, but can you always find it? Pull everything out and lay on the bench, give the drawer a good clean and then put everything back in a systematic order.
Day 12
Lets be honest, it's been over a week since you did the deep clean of your benches, lets keep on top of it and clear all the mail and school notices and file them away as needed (or perhaps recycle them).
Day 13
It's the weekend again! Time to tackle a bigger task. Your wardrobe....lets get honest.
Three rules:
1. Is it in good repair?
2. Does it fit?
3. Do you like it?
I mean, there a lots of other things we could consider, but lets keep it to those simple rules. If you answer no to any of these questions the item needs to go!
Day 14
The Freezer, when was the last time you could see the bottom? Pull everything out (make sure the aircon is on!) make sure you defrost if needed, and as you return everything, make sure it has a date and is wrapped. Anything that is out (most freezers have a guide as to how long to keep certain products frozen) of date throw in the green bin. Stack everything back in according to date so you are using the oldest food first.
Day 15
Are your kids growing as fast as mine?
I recently took mine to the Podiatrist because of sore feet only to learn her shoes were too small!
Don't be like me! .
Sort the families shoes and make sure they are in good repair and they fit.
What to do with the old shoes?
Well there is an amazing Aussie company called "Tread Lightly" who recycle old shoes into anti fatigue floor matting.
The Athletes Foot is our local drop off point in Dubbo.
Day 16
Does your Tupperware fly out of the door each time its opened? Today you are going to pull everything out, match all containers with lids and stack back in an orderly fashion.
Day 17
Okay, so hear me out. Yesterday you cleared out your plastics cupboard. I predict there are still some random lids and containers on your bench waiting for a decision. Make the call, can they be donated, recycled or do they need to go in the bin? Lets reset your benchtops and get them cleared off again.
Day 18
Today lets tackle your broom cupboard, if yours is anything like mine, it seems to be a gathering zone for dust bunnies! Lets pull everything out and give it a good vacuum out. Think about the order you put everything back to make it all accessible.
Day 19
A bit of an easier one today (or maybe not), lets tackle your workspace/desk. This approach will be a little different to the cupboards. You will handle each item as you go and put it in its appropriate place. Make sure you have a box for recycling on hand.
Day 20
Yay for the weekend! Lets tackle another wardrobe in your home. Use the same rules as your own wardrobe. Is it in good repair? Does it fit? Does the wearer like it? (this last question doesn't count for school uniforms!)
Day 21
The pantry... today we deep clean this.
There are two options here:
You can either pull everything out (you will need all the bench space and probably some floor space)
You can work shelf by shelf from the top down.
Which ever way you go, check expiry dates and check for (pantry moths)!
Wipe down the shelves and restack in a functional order bringing the oldest items to the front to be used first.
Day 22
The Linen Press. Struggling to find what you need when you need it? Let's fix that, shelf by shelf pull everything out and refold it.
I like to put things I use on a daily basis like towels and washers and chest height so they are easily accessible.
Things less often used such as bed linen go on the shelf either below or above this.
Then anything you don't regularly use all year such as beach towels, rags, the blow up mattress, blankets all go on the bottom an tops shelves.
Tip* I use a lidded wicker basket to store my rags/cleaning cloths to keep them neat and tidy.
Day 23
An easier one today, lets deep clean the plates cupboard. Start by pulling everything out and wiping out the shelves.
As we return everything to the cupboard, look for chipped or cracked items and remove.
Stack what remains with the largest items at the bottom for a sturdy stack.
Day 24
The cupboard under your sink is an often forgotten are of our kitchen. We use this cupboard daily, but how often do we pull the cleaning products out and give the cupboard a good clean? Today we do. Start by removing all items. Start wiping the shelves (sometimes this may need some extra elbow grease), as you are wiping be sure to inspect for water damage. This happens more often than you would think. If there is water damage, make sure you get onto your plumber and insurance company ASAP. Check the expiry dates on all products and get rid of products you are not longer using too. Tip* clear acrylic containers help to separate items in the cupboard and also make it easier to clean and assess water damage.
Day 25
Chicken Nuggets, an odd sock and a $2 coin. What is lingering in the back seat of your car? Cleaning out your car can be so refreshing, who doesn't love that "new car" smell? This is something I'll admit, apart from clearing out personal items, I pay to have my car cleaned inside and out, usually when I book to have my hair done. I drop it off walk to my appointment then pick up afterwards, its my own little luxury. In saying that, if you would like to do it yourself and save some $$ that's great too! Today is the day!
Day 26
Kids toys... This can be a tricky topic, but hopefully the kids have been noticing you de-cluttering over the last 24 days and will be more open to the idea.
The rules are
Is it in good repair?
Can it be repaired?
Is it age appropriate?
Is it sentimental?
Is there a space for it?
I have a fun flow chart of these questions available for download, that many clients stick up on the wall in the play space.
Day 27
Let's tackle the remaining wardrobes! If this is too much for one day, start with one and maybe simply organise (with out the clear out) them ready for another day.
Day 28
Last Day of the challenge! How did you go? How do you feel? On this the final day, you guessed it, we reset the kitchen benches!
