Whole House Decluttering Checklist: A Simple 10-Day Reset
If your home feels cluttered and overwhelming, a full reset can feel intimidating. This whole house decluttering checklist breaks the process into a simple 10-day plan so you can tackle one category at a time and actually finish.
Don’t get me wrong, I love a cozy holiday season at home. But the second the new year hits, I get the itch to reset our spaces. I’m ready to put away what we’re not using, clear the surfaces, and make our home easier to run day-to-day.
And if you’re in that “I can’t find anything, and every cabinet is bursting” phase, you’re not alone. Between kids, school papers, and the constant stream of stuff that magically appears in a family home, clutter adds up fast.
My 10-Day Whole House Decluttering Checklist
Think of this as a home checklist + to-do list in one — a declutter checklist that keeps your decluttering goals simple and realistic.
This is the exact 10-day checklist I use when our home needs a complete reset. It’s quick enough to stay motivating, but thorough enough that you’ll actually feel a difference when you open your drawers and cabinets.
I often do this in January, but honestly, it works anytime you’re craving a fresh start.
- Day 1: Personal Care Products & Toiletries
- Day 2: Medicine, Supplements, First Aid
- Day 3: Clothing, Coats, Shoes
- Day 4: Office Supplies, Paper Clutter, Mail, & Important Documents
- Day 5: Junk Drawers
- Day 6: Kitchen Cabinets
- Day 7: Kid’s Toys (More Toy Purging Tips Here!)
- Day 8: Cleaning Supplies, Laundry Room, & Linen Closet
- Day 9: Pantry & Refrigerator
- Day 10: Our Kids’ Rooms & Miscellaneous Household Items
These are just MY problem areas, so your whole house decluttering checklist might look a little different. The first step is to write down your own list of things that need attention, set clear goals, and create a simple plan you can actually stick with.
I shared this whole-house reset in real time on Instagram, with lots of before-and-afters and quick wins. If you want to see how it played out — what was easiest, what took forever, and what I’d do differently — you can read what I learned on my decluttering journey right here.
The ten days don’t need to be consecutive! You could tackle two problem areas per week. Set realistic goals for yourself.
Keep The End Goal In Mind
Before you start, decide what “success” looks like for you. Is it fewer things? More breathing room in your cabinets? Faster mornings? A calmer house? For me, it’s a little bit of all of the above.
I consider myself to be good at giving items away. Finn and I each use this method to keep our closets in tip-top shape. If you haven’t done this already, trust me, it’s a game-changer. Finn even jokes that one of these days he is going to wake up in a box headed to Goodwill because I want to purge all the things in our entire house and someday he just might be one of them. Ha!
Now with kids, a lot of stuff is constantly coming into our house. The toys, books, art supplies, school paperwork, and more are a constant struggle. If our drawers and organizational systems get off track, things can get messy around here fast. I like to tidy up each day or else it can be difficult for me to focus. Surfaces littered with stuff make me a tad anxious and paring down quiets my anxiety.
My Best Tips to Purge and Declutter Your Home
Whenever I do a whole-house reset, these are the decluttering tips I keep in mind as I go. I’m certainly not a professional organizer. I’m just a girl who loves a good decluttering project and storage solutions. I simply can’t beat the sense of accomplishment I feel when I open up a cabinet, and I can easily access whatever I need!
Know your Pain Points
If you told me to go donate ten pieces of clothing from my wardrobe, I could do it in a hot second. But ask me to part with ten home accessories and it’s a whole different story. While I have no attachment to clothes, home decor is a category that I struggle with when it comes to paring down.
I always think that I might need a random plant or vase to style something for the blog. Or maybe I’ll want to display it in another spot in our home. So I’ve kept random items that I don’t love and I have even filled up my home office closet with accessories “just in case.”
I like to bring everything into one space to prioritize what stays and what goes. That means I’ll gather decor from all over our home and go through the big pile of items. Seeing that I have three vases that look practically identical, helps me realize that I can easily part ways with a few things.
No matter what category you’re working on, be sure to gather all of the items together in one spot before deciding what to purge. Visually seeing it all together will make a big difference, and you’ll be more likely to cut excess stuff when you declutter your home.
Take It All Out
When I work through drawers and cabinets (hello, junk drawer and desk drawers), I take out every single item. If I just glance inside and try to eliminate things, I barely make a dent. Taking everything out, and only putting back what I actually use, makes the biggest difference.
Should I put this item back in that drawer? Do I need it? These are good things to ask yourself as you go through each category and space in your home. Yes, you will create more of a mess with this process, but it’s effective!
Clean As You Go
Another perk to taking everything out of your drawers and cabinets is that you can clean as you go! I rarely take time to vacuum and wipe down the drawers and cabinets in our home. I mean, who can do that when they’re full of junk? However, when the drawer is empty you can easily get it looking nice and clean before you intentionally fill it back up.
I also take this time to clean any bins or drawer organizers. My makeup bins were filthy and they needed a good bath. While you’re at it (and if you’re looking for extra credit!), you can clean any products that need cleaning. For example, when tackling my personal care items, I cleaned my makeup brushes and hair brushes. It had been way too long, and they’re some of my most-used items.
So grab garbage bags for trash, cardboard boxes for donation piles, and a basket of cleaning supplies as you tackle each category.
Order Replacement Items
The kitchen is usually one of the more eye-opening categories when I do a whole-house reset. Over time, mugs, water bottles, and random glasses multiply, while the pieces we actually use slowly disappear. Suddenly nothing matches, cabinets feel jammed, and we’re digging past things we never reach for.
As you declutter your dishes, glassware, and utensils, pay attention to what’s left — not what you’re getting rid of. If you notice you’re missing key pieces or only have a few items from a once-complete set, make a note. Replacing a small number of everyday items can make your cabinets feel more functional and intentional.
The key is timing. Don’t shop while you’re purging. Wait until everything is edited down and you can clearly see what you use and what you’re missing. Then, if needed, order replacements right away so you’re not tempted to hang onto clutter “just in case.”
A few thoughtful replacements can go a long way toward making your newly decluttered space actually work better day-to-day. The goal isn’t perfect matching mugs, it’s an organized home with more storage space for the things we actually use.
Donate (or Sell) Immediately!
Instead of letting a donation pile hang around for a few extra days (which might give you time to second guess your firm decisions), load up the car and haul everything to your nearest donation center. We are pretty good about decluttering regularly, but the bags of stuff sit in our backseat for weeks before I ever donate them. Don’t be like me. Get yours out of your house quickly!
And if something is in good condition, consider Facebook Marketplace. I share my best tips for selling on Facebook Marketplace right here.
More Tips For A Clutter-Free Home
Here are other ways Finn and I keep our household clutter-free and as organized as possible.
- One thing in and one thing out: If I’m buying a new pair of shoes, I better be getting rid of an old ratty pair to make room. That’s the general rule that I use to keep my decluttering muscle strong!
- Give every item a place to call home: Everything in your house needs a designated spot. When you’re done using it, put it back where it belongs!
- Don’t wait for “someday”: It’s easy to hold onto items because you believe you may need them someday. Well, that day isn’t today and that item is taking up extra space in your home and in your mind. Ditch it.
- Always have a donation pile: I dive deeper into this idea in this post, but we always keep a donation bag in our house so we can toss items in there continuously.
- Make regular trips to donate: This is one I need to be better at (See above!), but it’s an important one to keep in mind!
- Make purging a part of your daily life: We tidy up our home every single day (You can read my daily home habits here.) and I do my best to get rid of items as I go. The simple way to get rid of unwanted items is to make it a part of your routine. You’ll have a hard time if you only purge once a year or longer.
My Best Organizing Guides
I’ve written quite a few blog posts about organizing over the years. Here are some of my favorites to keep your home clutter-free.
My best closet organization tips for medications, towels, cleaning supplies, and more.
How I organized our storage room to hold tools, luggage, out-of-season clothes, and sentimental items.
How to make an organized makeup drawer using my favorite clear dividers.
My daily home habits keep our household running smoothly.
How I finally got our garage organized. It was quite the disaster zone for years…
The things we do to prep for the week ahead.
We added a charging drawer in our kitchen to wrangle extra cables, chargers, and cords. This kitchen drawer has been a gamechanger!
My Favorite Organizational Supplies
Finally, I want to leave you with a few items that I use and love around our home. The good news is that you can purge, declutter, and organize your home for free. I will be the first one to tell you that you do not need to go out and buy anything to organize! The entire purpose of decluttering is to take things out of your home, not bring anything back in!
However, there are some times when having the right storage containers or drawer dividers could help with a space. My advice to you is to wait until you’re done organizing that particular spot to buy anything. That way, you can measure and get something that works!
Join My 10-Day Reset Challenge!
Want to reset your home with me? This 10-day checklist makes decluttering feel manageable and motivating, not overwhelming. You can start wherever makes sense for you and take it one category at a time.
Casey
