Clutter has a sneaky way of taking over our homes. One day you’re living comfortably, and the next you’re playing Jenga with kitchen appliances just to make coffee. If you’re ready to reclaim your space but don’t know where to start, you’re in the right place.
Effective decluttering methods can transform your space and your mindset. But here’s the catch: not every method works for every person. What transforms your neighbor’s home might leave you feeling frustrated and overwhelmed.
We’ll walk through the most effective decluttering methods, explain exactly how each works, and help you figure out which approach fits your lifestyle, personality, and goals. By the end, you’ll have a clear roadmap to tackle your clutter once and for all.
Why Your Decluttering Method Matters
Not all decluttering approaches are created equal. Some people thrive with intensive weekend purges, while others need gentle, gradual methods. Some connect emotionally with their belongings, while others prefer logical decision-making frameworks.
Picking the wrong method often leads to:
- Starting strong but burning out quickly
- Feeling overwhelmed and giving up
- Creating more mess before making progress
- Decluttering the same areas repeatedly
- Family conflicts over different approaches
The right method, however, feels manageable and sustainable. It works with your natural tendencies instead of against them, producing lasting results that stick.
The KonMari Method: Does It Spark Joy?
Created by organizing consultant Marie Kondo, the KonMari Method has taken the world by storm. This approach focuses on keeping only items that “spark joy” in your life.
How It Works
The KonMari Method follows a specific category-based order:
- Clothes: Every shirt, sock, and jacket from your entire home
- Books: All reading materials and reference books
- Papers: Documents, warranties, and filing systems
- Komono: Everything else (kitchen items, tools, electronics)
- Sentimental items: Photos, keepsakes, and memory-laden objects
You gather all items from one category throughout your entire home, then decide what to keep based on whether each item brings you joy. Items that don’t make the cut are thanked for their service and donated or discarded.
What Makes KonMari Unique
The method emphasizes gratitude and emotional connection. You don’t just toss things; you acknowledge their service before letting them go. This emotional component helps many people overcome guilt about discarding perfectly good items.
Working by category rather than room prevents shuffling clutter between spaces. When you see all your books together, duplicate purchases become obvious.
Who Should Try This Method
The KonMari Method works well if you:
- Have several consecutive days or weekends available
- Connect emotionally with your belongings
- Want complete home transformation
- Can handle temporary chaos in your home
- Live alone or have family support for the intensive process
- Feel ready for significant lifestyle changes
This method isn’t ideal if you’re pressed for time, prefer gradual changes, or share space with unsupportive family members.
Swedish Death Cleaning: The Gentle Approach
Despite its dramatic name, Swedish Death Cleaning (döstädning) is actually the kindest, most thoughtful approach to decluttering. The concept involves slowly removing unnecessary items so your loved ones won’t have to deal with them later.
How It Works
Swedish Death Cleaning encourages you to:
- Start early (any age works, though traditionally around 50)
- Remove items gradually over time
- Keep things that bring you joy or serve a purpose
- Consider what burden your belongings might place on others
- Focus on creating a meaningful, manageable collection of possessions
You work slowly through your home with these guiding questions:
- Does this item add value to my current life?
- Would managing this burden my family someday?
- What story does this object tell about who I am now?
- Would I pack this if I moved tomorrow?
The Philosophy Behind It
Swedish Death Cleaning isn’t about preparing for death; it’s about living more intentionally. By gradually curating your possessions, you create a home filled only with items that support your current life and values.
This approach also encourages conversations with family members about meaningful objects, creating opportunities to share stories and pass down items with proper context.
Who Should Try This Method
Swedish Death Cleaning is perfect if you:
- Prefer slow, steady progress
- Want to reduce the burden on family members
- Like the idea of curating a meaningful collection
- Don’t want to feel rushed or pressured
- Enjoy reflecting on the stories behind your possessions
- Have limited time or energy for intensive sessions
This gentle approach works especially well for people who feel overwhelmed by dramatic decluttering methods or those who want to involve family members in the process.
The 90/90 Rule: Logic-Based Clarity
Popularized by minimalists Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus, the 90/90 Rule is straightforward: if you haven’t used something in the last 90 days and don’t see yourself using it in the next 90 days, let it go.
How It Works
The process eliminates emotional decision-making:
- Pick up any item in your space
- Ask: “When did I last use this?”
- Ask: “Will I realistically use this in the next 90 days?”
- If both answers involve more than 90 days, donate or discard it
- Move to the next object
The 180-day total timeframe accounts for seasonal variations and occasional-use items while still maintaining high standards for what stays in your home.
Why This Rule Works
The 90/90 Rule removes emotional decision-making from the equation. You can’t rationalize keeping something “just in case” when you haven’t touched it in three months and don’t have concrete plans to use it soon.
This logical framework helps people who get stuck on hypothetical scenarios: “But what if I need to make a Halloween costume someday?” The rule provides a clear answer based on actual usage patterns rather than imagined future needs.
Who Should Try This Method
The 90/90 Rule works best if you:
- Want clear, logical criteria for decisions
- Tend to keep things “just in case”
- Prefer quick decision-making processes
- Are working toward a minimalist lifestyle
- Want to focus on frequently used items
- Need to downsize for practical reasons
This method might not work well if you have seasonal items, hobby supplies you use sporadically, or sentimental pieces that don’t follow typical usage patterns.
The 12-12-12 Method: Quick Wins for Busy People
The 12-12-12 Method is designed for people who want immediate results without a huge time commitment. You find 12 items to throw away, 12 items to donate, and 12 items to return to their proper places.
How It Works
Set a timer for 30 minutes and quickly move through your space to find:
- 12 items to discard: Broken objects, expired products, duplicates you don’t need, papers you’ll never reference again
- 12 items to donate: Things in good condition that you no longer use, clothes that don’t fit, books you won’t reread, gadgets collecting dust
- 12 items to relocate: Objects that belong in other rooms, tools that should be in storage, dishes that migrated from the kitchen
The time pressure keeps you moving and prevents overthinking. You’re overall goal is to quickly make visible progress, not trying to solve all your clutter problems.
Why This Method Builds Momentum
The 12-12-12 Method works because it’s achievable and creates immediate visual improvement. Removing 36 items from your space provides motivation to continue with larger projects.
This approach also trains your brain to recognize clutter patterns. After several sessions, you’ll naturally start noticing when items are out of place or when you’re accumulating unnecessary duplicates.
Who Should Try This Method
The 12-12-12 Method is ideal if you:
- Have limited time for organizing
- Want quick, visible results
- Feel motivated by completing tasks
- Need a way to maintain already-organized spaces
- Want to involve family members or roommates
- Need quick momentum before larger projects
This method works as a regular maintenance routine but won’t create dramatic transformations on its own.
How to Choose the Right Method for You
Selecting the perfect decluttering approach depends on several key factors. Consider these questions to find your match:
Assess Your Timeline and Energy
Need quick results? The 12-12-12 Method gives immediate gratification and can build momentum for longer sessions later.
Have several weeks available? The KonMari Method offers comprehensive results if you can commit to the intensive process.
Prefer gradual progress? Swedish Death Cleaning allows you to work at your own pace over months or years.
Want logical efficiency? The 90/90 Rule helps you make quick decisions based on clear criteria that adapt to whatever time you have.
Consider Your Personality Type
Emotional decision-maker: The KonMari Method’s focus on joy and gratitude aligns with emotional connections to possessions.
Logical thinker: The 90/90 Rule provides clear, rational criteria that eliminate guesswork and second-guessing.
Gradual processor: Swedish Death Cleaning respects your need to think through decisions carefully over time.
Achievement-oriented: The 12-12-12 Method offers quick wins and measurable progress that keeps you motivated.
Evaluate Your Living Situation
Small space: The 90/90 Rule or KonMari Method can maximize your limited area effectively.
Large home: Swedish Death Cleaning prevents the process from becoming overwhelming, while KonMari provides systematic coverage.
Shared space with supportive family: Choose based on personal preferences and consider involving others in Swedish Death Cleaning or 12-12-12 sessions.
Shared space with unsupportive family: Stick with quieter approaches like the 90/90 Rule or Swedish Death Cleaning that don’t disrupt daily routines.
Think About Your Goals
Complete transformation: KonMari Method creates dramatic, whole-home changes when you’re ready for lifestyle shifts.
Ongoing maintenance: The 12-12-12 Method works perfectly for regular upkeep of organized spaces.
Legacy planning: Swedish Death Cleaning addresses long-term family considerations and meaningful curation.
Practical efficiency: The 90/90 Rule focuses on functional utility and logical decision-making.
Combining Methods for Maximum Success
You don’t have to choose just one approach. Many people find success combining methods strategically:
- Start with the 12-12-12 Method to create initial momentum, then apply KonMari principles for deeper decluttering
- Use Swedish Death Cleaning as your overall philosophy while employing the 90/90 Rule for specific categories like clothes or books
- Apply the KonMari principles to sentimental items, while using the 12-12-12 Method to tackle everyday clutter quickly
By blending these approaches, you can create a personalized system that works best for your lifestyle and helps you achieve lasting organization.
Making Your Choice and Getting Started
The best decluttering method is the one you’ll actually use. Consider starting with the approach that feels most appealing or manageable right now. You can always adjust or switch methods as you learn what works for your lifestyle.
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