Clutterfree is more than a project, it is also a process.
It is one thing to declutter your home one time. But keeping it clutterfree requires healthy habits going forward.
One of the most simple and effective rules for getting your life under control and keeping your home clutterfree is the “one-minute rule” introduced by Gretchen Rubin.
Complete any task that can be finished in one minute immediately.
Followed consistently, this rule will make an amazing difference in your home and life. It has for me. Here’s a list of places where you can begin implementing this rule right away—I call them one-minute clutterfree habits.
21 One-Minute Clutterfree Habits
These micro-habits will definitely help keep your home clutterfree.
1. Make Your Bed
First thing, right away, as soon as you get up.
2. Put away your coat and shoes.
Also scarves and gloves and hats. In the coat closet where they belong.
3. Recycle the junk mail.
In fact, I throw it into the recycle bin in the garage and don’t even let it enter my home.
4. Put clean dishes away.
Don’t leave them out—on the counter, in the sink, or the dishwasher.
5. Don’t leave clothes on the floor or furniture.
Dirty clothes in the laundry pile. Clean clothes back in the closet/drawer.
6. Put away your keys and change.
Wherever your drop-zone is (ours is a drawer), use it always. Bonus: You’ll always know where your keys are. :)
7. Don’t leave out your bathroom toiletries.
In the morning after getting ready and at night before going to bed. Twice/day. Keep your bathroom counter clear.
8. Put kids’ school items away.
Teach/Show your kids where their backpacks belong and get them trained early.
9. Empty the car entirely when you arrive home.
Whatever you brought into the car that day, take out when you return home. You’ll love driving a clutterfree vehicle!
10. Wash your snack dishes/cups immediately.
Pots and pans can take longer than one minute. But the bowl you used for ice cream won’t. Wash snack dishes quickly with a dishwand.
11. Store those kitchen appliances.
Toaster, coffee pot, blender… store them all out of sight (even if you use them every day). Trust me, you’ll love it.
12. Pick up toys.
There is no age too early to teach your children how to clean up after themselves.
13. Tear down cardboard boxes.
Even if you’re going to keep them, flatten and free up space.
14. Put away the remote controls.
Don’t leave remote controls scattered all over the living room. Put them back where they belong after each use.
15. Return chargers and cords to drawers.
Especially if you charge electronics in shared spaces.
16. Fold your blanket after use.
Wadded up on the couch or folded nicely? Choose folded every time.
17. Empty full trash cans/bins.
Someone has to take out the trash. If the bin is full, remember the “one-minute” rule and get it done.
18. Return reading materials to their designated home.
Magazines, newspapers, books, Sudoku, whatever.
19. Throw out any expired leftovers/food.
Clear up the space in your fridge or pantry.
20. Put away your tools.
You know who you are…
21. File those papers.
Few things clutter a room quicker than piles of paper.
Followed consistently, these micro-habits will make an amazing difference in your home. And who doesn’t love a clutterfree home?
People really don’t live this way? This stuff takes seconds, not minutes (well, except washing dishes).
I noticed many people had trouble with putting away appliances. Remember when everyone had colorful covers for their toasters, can openers, mixers. I bet we could use those and put them back on and it would look great.
I remember how making bed has been something doing on some level that fall into my character of being very diligent and in everyday…
Now my son also has a habit that out of nowhere happens and it is really great. Never go to bed without taking a shower because you don’t want to mess your clean sheet… and I absolutely agree totally, no need to change anything here.
I love this list! I binged watched your Youtube videos while I was on maternity leave and I am happy to say your advice in every video helped me become a better person as I was before.
Fantastic list! Thank you, Joshua!
Is there a printable version of this?
Wouldn’t that become an item of clutter?
These simple tasks are literally life changing to keeping clutter to a minimum in your home. And when they become second nature, you see the difference in your home every day and not just after a major “clean-up” day. It means your home is neat and tidy all the time. Such a good list!!!
I didn’t know these were things to note, these are things I do all the time. You mean to tell me that people don’t bring in everything from their cars each time they get out? Seriously, following these tasks was how I was brought up and the norm for me. Now I’m mostly surprised that other people don’t do these things, but I’m telling ya, you should do these things – it makes me happy for sure!
I can tick off most of this list. However, the kitchen is my creative space and I like to have my appliances at hand. Each one has its designated spot. Small appliances are stored in cupboards. As this room is not open-plan, it doesn’t appear cluttered.
I agree. That tip is obviously by someone who doesn’t cook daily.
Thanks for the feedback. That tip is from me. And I/we cook for our family of four every day. You’ll love it more than you think.
I cook daily and bake a lot. I have my Kitchen Aid, coffee pot and utensil crock on my counters. That’s it. The Kitchen Aid is too heavy to lift in and out of a cabinet and my husband would not appreciate taking the coffee pot in and out of a cabinet every day. Thanks to Joshua’s advice, my counters and home are becoming clutter free. I wish I had taken pictures of everything I have gotten rid of so far just for the fun of it. I’m sure I’d be amazed! Still have some to go, but it’s a continuous process.
I leave my small appliances on the countertop as I have arthritis and can’t lift, especially the Kitchenaid mixer.
I have left side weakness due to a stroke. I try to put everything away except the toaster oven and coffee pot. All the rest is rarely used. You may want to consider handicap adapted appliances, like a stick mixer (fits in a drawer) and I have a one hand only electric can opener, which fits in the palm of my hand. If you just love your Kitchenaid to look at it, use it as decor instead. Just an idea. I am not a minimalist, but I believe in KonMari which transformed my home. <3
I thinks we have to adapt some of the suggestions as we age. My mother had many issues because she stored everything away and dropping things became very common. Common sense prevails for each of us as individuals.
What to do with ongoing projects that are too difficult to tidy each time? We don’t have a designated “project room” so the kitchen table becomes a project table. I procrastinate some projects like photo sorting (thousands!!), puzzles, file cabinet decluttering, etc because I love the look of a clean table and only accomplish those task that are easily tidied at the end of the day. Any ideas/suggestions?
If they can fit, try baskets or tubs or you can designate bookshelf space or even under bed tubs. You can also use a mat or tray to move things out of the way if you have small items. We have large mats and a big puzzle mat that can be rolled up. I have small shoebox sized bins and large cube bins that store things out of sight. It is lovely! If you are in the middle of a huge project, consider just cleaning it up before dinner or using a portable folding table instead of the kitchen table. It can fold up and be stored when not in use and moved out of the way as needed.
Break big tasks down into smaller pieces. Take some time to organise photos into groups, and only get out what you need to do a project. Same with yarns, fabrics, wool etc. Projects in boxes, and be strict with yourself on space. Then it’s easy to pick out a project box to work on for an hour, day, week, but everything else is tidy and away.
# 5 alludes to this, but my big thing is Hang Up Your Clothes. (I do always.) It was a tough habit to develop, but once ingrained, you can’t to back again.