TodoAid - Build Better Habits

Clutter isn't just physical - it's mental weight. Studies show that cluttered spaces increase cortisol (stress hormone) and make it harder to focus. A decluttered home is a calmer mind.

This room-by-room guide will help you systematically clear the chaos and create a space that supports your best life.

Before You Start: The Mindset

The One Rule

For each item, ask: "Does this add value to my life?"

If yes → Keep it and give it a proper home

If no → Thank it and let it go

Prepare Your Supplies

Large garbage bags (for trash)

Boxes or bags labeled: Donate, Sell, Relocate

Cleaning supplies

Good music or podcast

Timer (work in focused sessions)

Pro Tip: Take "before" photos of each room. The transformation will motivate you to keep going.

Room 1: Bedroom

Your bedroom should be a sanctuary for rest. Start here for the biggest impact on your well-being.

Closet Cleanout

Remove everything from your closet

Try on items you're unsure about

Donate clothes you haven't worn in 12+ months

Remove items that don't fit (stop waiting to lose weight for clothes)

Keep only items that make you feel confident

Organize remaining clothes by category and color

Nightstand & Dresser

Clear nightstand to essentials only (lamp, book, water)

Empty dresser drawers completely

Fold clothes using the KonMari method (store vertically)

Discard old underwear and socks with holes

Remove anything that doesn't belong in the bedroom

Under the Bed

Pull everything out from under the bed

Vacuum or clean the floor underneath

Decide: storage space or keep it empty for better energy flow

If storing, use proper containers (no loose items)

Mistake: Keeping "just in case" items that have been untouched for years

Instead: If you haven't used it in a year, you won't miss it. Let it go.

Room 2: Bathroom

A cluttered bathroom makes your morning routine chaotic.

Medicine Cabinet & Drawers

Check expiration dates on all medications (dispose properly)

Toss old or expired makeup and skincare

Remove products you've tried and didn't like

Keep only products you actually use

Organize by category: skincare, hair, dental, first aid

Under the Sink

Remove everything and clean the cabinet

Dispose of empty bottles and old cleaning supplies

Check for leaks while it's empty

Use bins or organizers to contain categories

Keep backup products to a minimum (one extra max)

Towels & Linens

Assess how many towels you actually need

Donate old, faded, or scratchy towels

Keep 2-3 towels per person maximum

Fold neatly or roll for visual calm

Warning: Bathrooms accumulate sample-size products. If you haven't used those hotel shampoos in 6 months, you never will.

Room 3: Kitchen

The heart of the home - and often the most cluttered.

Countertops

Clear everything off counters

Keep only daily-use appliances out (coffee maker, toaster)

Store everything else in cabinets

Clean the counters thoroughly

Enjoy the visual calm of clear surfaces

Cabinets & Pantry

Remove everything from cabinets one at a time

Check expiration dates on all food

Donate unexpired food you won't eat

Discard chipped dishes and mismatched containers

Get rid of duplicate utensils (how many spatulas do you need?)

Keep only containers with matching lids

Organize with "like with like"

Junk Drawer

Empty the entire drawer

Throw away obvious trash (old batteries, dried pens, mystery keys)

Relocate items that belong elsewhere

Use dividers to organize what remains

Be honest: most junk drawers can be reduced by 80%

Pro Tip: If you haven't used a kitchen gadget in a year, you don't need it. The avocado slicer can go.

Room 4: Living Room

This is where you relax - clutter prevents true relaxation.

Surfaces & Shelves

Clear all flat surfaces (coffee table, side tables, shelves)

Remove books you've read and won't read again

Curate decorations - less is more

Eliminate "decorative clutter" that collects dust

Keep only items that bring you joy or serve a purpose

Entertainment Area

Sort through DVDs, CDs, games (keep only favorites)

Organize and hide cables

Clean electronics and screens

Remove remotes you don't use

Paper Piles

Sort all papers into: Action, File, Recycle

Shred sensitive documents you no longer need

Go paperless where possible

Create a simple filing system for what remains

Room 5: Home Office / Workspace

A cluttered workspace = a cluttered mind.

Desk Declutter

Clear your desk completely

Keep only essentials: computer, lamp, one pen cup

File or discard loose papers

Remove items that don't support work

Wipe down the entire surface

Digital Declutter

Delete files you no longer need

Organize desktop into folders

Unsubscribe from email lists

Clear browser bookmarks

Back up important files

Supplies

Consolidate duplicate supplies

Discard dried-up pens and markers

Keep minimal inventory

Donate excess office supplies

Mistake: Keeping every cord "just in case"

Instead: If you don't know what it connects to, you don't need it.

Room 6: Entry/Mudroom

First impressions matter - even to yourself.

Entry Essentials

Keep only current-season shoes by the door

Limit coat hooks to what you actually wear

Add a tray for keys and wallet (one spot = never lose them)

Remove accumulated bags and random items

Add a small trash bin for junk mail

The Donation Run

After decluttering each room:

Immediately bag donation items

Put bags in your car right away

Drive to donation center within 48 hours

Don't let bags sit (you'll second-guess decisions)

Maintenance: The One-In-One-Out Rule

To stay clutter-free forever:

For every new item that enters, one item must leave

Do a 10-minute tidy every evening

Schedule a mini-declutter monthly

Do a full declutter seasonally (change of seasons)

The Emotional Side

Decluttering can bring up emotions. It's normal to feel:

Guilt (about money spent)

Nostalgia (about memories attached to items)

Fear (of needing something later)

Relief (as items leave)

Remember: Memories live in you, not in objects. Letting go of the item doesn't erase the memory.

Celebrate Your Progress

Take "after" photos

Walk through your decluttered home

Notice how you feel in the space

Enjoy easier cleaning and less stress

Share your transformation with friends

Your home should be a place that supports your life, not a storage unit for your past.

Clear space. Clear mind. Better life.

Start with one drawer. The momentum will carry you.

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Home Declutter: Room-by-Room Checklist