I often use the words minimalism and decluttering interchangeably. They are different, of course, but still connected.
Decluttering focuses on removing surface level possessions. Minimalism helps us discover how little we actually need.
Minimalism is better in my opinion, but almost no one can move toward owning less without some decluttering along the way.
Regardless of what you want to call it or how much progress you want to make, if you are ready to put in some effort decluttering unnecessary possessions from your home, you’ll love the change.
Here are 24 things you can declutter from your home:
1. Unused or old power cords and chargers
2. Extra hangers that are taking up space
3. Shoes that are worn out or no longer used
4. Old towels and linens
5. Games/Puzzles with missing pieces
6. Old and expired medications
7. Magazines and newspapers that have been read
8. Expired food from fridge or pantry
9. CDs and DVDs
10. Books that you’ve already read and are unlikely to read again
11. Old and expired makeup
12. Broken or outdated jewelry
13. Duplicates of household items, such as scissors or pens
14. Unnecessary paperwork, such as old bills or receipts
15. Outdated, obsolete, or broken electronics
16. Old and worn out pillows, sheets, and towels in your linen closet
17. Cleaning products you no longer use
18. Unused sporting or exercise equipment
19. Old candles that haven’t been used in years
20. Unused pet toys
21. Take-out sauce packets, napkins, and menus
22. Outdated decor items no longer displayed in your home
23. Excess water bottles and travel mugs
24. Almost everything in your junk drawer
Decluttering your home can be a daunting task, but it’s also an incredibly liberating experience.
One step at a time, one item at a time from the list above, and you’ll love the change you see in your home.
Dunwoodie Sandra says
Well done! I am a hoarder and would love to be able to get rid of half my stuff.
Do you follow a vegan diet for MS?
My daughter has it a is vegan.
Lisa says
I am 34 and have MS that took me years to learn to live with it. For my diet, I try to add more protein to my meals. I prefer portions to counting calories. My dietician made a list of what I could eat and where to buy my groceries to find the non-processed foods and I reduced my grocery bills in half. I live by myself, and some home deliveries can be helpful and free of charge. I made up my mind to stay in shape and have kept up with my healthy eating habits. Does your daughter have a primary care and nurse practitioner in nutrition? You can find those with your insurance and get educated about it. There are caring nurses who speak over the phone and tell you about it, and you don’t need to drive to their office.
HandyDan says
After being diagnosed with MS, I started to realize that the accumulation of stuff was not what life was about. I looked around my house that was crammed full of knickknacks, decorations that HGTV told me I needed to have a stylish home, a library that has books that I never read and never planned to read, a garage full of tools that I wasn’t using, and toys from my childhood that were intended for the children I had no plans to have (and still don’t 7 years later).
Through donations, trash, selling things, and giving things to friends or relatives I ended up getting rid of 90% of what I owned over two years. In the years that followed, I have managed to get rid of about 5% more. The childhood toys went to my nephews and niece, and if I do have kids, they will have outgrown them and they might make their way back to me yet. That library has been reduced to a couple of medium boxes of favorite books, and a library card or my Kindle takes care of the rest. I now embrace a minimalist aesthetic in decorating, and it is so much easier to clean the house and keep it neat on a daily basis. The tools have been the hardest thing for me to get rid of, but by starting with specialty tools with rare uses, bulky tools that have specialty purposes that can be replicated within a little more difficult by smaller tools, and keeping only two sets of tools like screwdriver or wrenches, I am slowly working my way through the garage.
Now I live a life of trying to only keep what I am using, and generally only purchase things to replace items. I am working towards a 3 month plan to not spend any money except for bills, gas, and food.
I have taken a job which requires me to move every two to three years, and my goal is to have a 16’ box truck every time that still has a significant about of open space. It saves so much money each time to do the whole move myself, and the packing process gives me the opportunity to find things that I am no longer using.
The minimalist journey is not an overnight process. The things you think you would never give up are the things that a few years later you may realize that you are ok with giving away. There are a couple of regrets of things that I have given away, but the regrets are fleeting. In the past 7 years, I have not once looked back towards my old lifestyle, and spend time relaxed and enjoying the freedom that comes from letting go of the baggage that holds us back.
Kimberly says
Your story is very inspirational! Great job! That has to be an amazing feeling!
Vernon says
I have found over the years that I have had to buy things that I have gotten rid of in the process of decluttering. I am old enough to have done this multiple times. So be careful in your haste to declutter.
Janine S says
Use the 20/20 decluttering rule. If you could get the item again for $20 or less, in 20 minutes, get rid of it!
Lisa Crane says
That’s very interesting that you say that. When I’m trying to decide to get rid of something, I often wonder: “But what if I need this at some point in the future??” I’ve taken to asking myself how much will it cost to have to buy this thing again if I get rid of it. If it’s minimal, out it goes. If it’s pricey, it’s staying.
Sheridan Rawlind says
After a near death experience with COVID-19 I looked around and saw how much stuff I had stuff that I didn’t need any more stuff that I probably never needed. I went through something very close to your Swedish death cleaning. It alarmed my husband, but I feel like it was the perfect thing to do, who needs to leave stuff like that for your children to go through
Margaret Anne Donohue says
Every dark cloud has a silver lining!
A. Murphy says
Totally agree. After my Dads passing I realised how our “stuff” doesn’t matter. Most of it doesn’t mean anything to anyone else. They have all their own STUFF. I don’t want to put my family through what I went through when my Dad died. (sifting through the hoard of STUFF ). I kept 2 small sentimental items, the rest went to charity or the bin.
Jackie says
My husband & I had to live in our motorhome while our new house was being built. Then we headed south for the winter. This essentially meant living in our motorhome for a year. Wow! What an eye opener. That is true minimalist living. You only can take what you need. Now that we are in our house I am getting rid of SO much. We are whittling it down to what will fit in a motorhome. The reality is this is all we need.
Lynne Jago says
Beautiful gesture..I love that concept. It’s going to the right source and not just throwing it out.
I have my mums things to sort. It can be so emotionally challenging.
I might take a leaf out of your story n do the same. Thankyou
Angie says
I have been living full time in an RV for four years and absolutely love it. All the stuff was sold or given away along with the house. No regrets!
Christopher Roy says
My mother saved the school pictures she got with Christmas. They were from the 60s, 70s & 80s. I included them in Thank you cards after mom passed. The people in the pictures were thrilled
joshua becker says
That’s a fun idea.
Carol J Mazur says
I’ve been doing something similar. I send a photo of the month to my aunt who now lives in a senior home f the family gatherings we’ve had featuring good times and people who have passed away and sending photos of mutual friends who have passed away to those still here. It’s a great feeling for me and them.
Ferdinand Hoyos says
Decluttering is also essential, that it helps to clear your space as well as your Mind.
Karen Martin says
That is a great idea!
Leigh Renee says
The best thing about decluttering for me was giving myself more space for the things that are important to me. I’m a free spirit who enjoys making cards for children and others that may not have families. I now can see only what I need for my artwork I think it will enhance my creativity
Nicole Y Walton says
I recently moved to another state. Tired of moving junk from 0lace to place, I basically did what the article described. BEST DECISION EVER! It seemed drastic to my brother but it made moving so much better. Now I don’t have to waste time finding places to store stuff I don’t really need in the first place. Akin to Swedish Death Cleaning.