Easy Ways to Declutter Your Home

Getting rid of unneeded items can make you safer and happier. How to begin.

Do you sometimes—or often—feel like you have too many possessions? If so, you probably know that those overfilled drawers and closets and stacks of papers can have negative effects on you.

And figuring out what to keep and what to get rid of can be nothing short of challenging. "It’s hard to make decisions about what to do with it all," says Carolyn Caldwell, president of the Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD), a nonprofit group of professional organizers.

But with some advice from professionals, it may feel much more doable. Here’s what organizing experts and clutter researchers say can help.

Clutter can affect your physical health and your emotional well-being. Having an overload of items scattered about can, in severe cases, create a tripping hazard that can lead to injuries from falls. It may also increase the risk of fire. Objects piled high can put a strain on floors, and damp items can encourage the growth of mold and mildew.

Clutter can also cause you to misplace important medications or bills, says Gail Steketee, PhD, dean and professor emeritus of the Boston University School of Social Work. You may then need to purchase replacements or pay late fees—a drain on time and money, Caldwell says.

The emotional distress can be significant, too, and is associated with depression, stress, and lower life satisfaction. If you feel embarrassed enough to keep people out of your home, "it can impact relationships with other people," says Joseph Ferrari, PhD, a professor of psychology at DePaul University in Chicago.

The act of beginning to deal with your stuff can itself provide a sense of relief, says Lynne Poulton, a social worker and professional organizer based in Ohio. And keep in mind that you don’t have to make decisions on everything all at once. Instead, try the following.

Get rid of trash first. Look for a few truly unneeded items, such as plastic that can go into recycling or old papers that can be shredded. Arrange to rid your home of any hazardous materials, such as antifreeze or solvents. (Contact your community’s environmental, health, or public works department for information on how to do this locally.) "Feel that momentum that you’ve done something," Poulton says.

Then pick other easy items. Instead of dealing with large areas or family heirlooms, "get to the smallest step you can take where you are guaranteed to be successful," Caldwell says. That might be just one kitchen drawer or one closet shelf. You can move on to bigger, more emotionally meaningful possessions down the road.

Ask for a hand. If possible, have a friend or family member help you make decisions on what to trash, donate, or keep, Ferrari says.

Don’t touch. Picking up each item you’re considering disposing of may trigger memories that derail the process, Ferrari says. Having a friend or relative hold each object and show it to you can make decision-making easier.

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Look for a new home for your things. At least some of your superfluous items may be of use to someone else—another family member or someone in need, Ferrari says. Perhaps there’s an organization you’d like to donate them to, such as one that works with refugee families, or the nonprofit Habitat for Humanity ReStores (these accept appliances, furniture, bathtubs, building materials, and other home goods). If you want to share with people in your community, consider groups like the Freecycle Network (check freecycle.org or Facebook to find a nearby group) and Buy Nothing.

Consider hiring a pro. If you’re really stuck, you may want to hire a professional organizer, Poulton says. (According to HomeAdvisor, you’ll typically pay between $251 and $812 for this service.) Ask others for recommendations, or search on websites such as those of the ICD and the National Association of Productivity & Organizing Professionals.

Tweak clutterbug habits. Think about the actions you take that contribute to clutter and which you can change. For instance, would passing books on after reading them keep bookcases neater? Would buying a new item only if you get rid of another help? Or sorting mail daily so you can toss junk letters right away?

Editor’s Note: This article also appeared in the August 2023 issue of Consumer Reports On Health.

Kevin Loria

Kevin Loria is a senior reporter covering health and science at Consumer Reports. He has been with CR since 2018, covering environmental health, food safety, infectious disease, fitness, and more. Previously, Kevin was a correspondent covering health, science, and the environment at Business Insider. Kevin lives in Washington, D.C., with his wife and children. Follow him on Twitter @kevloria.