Does your house overwhelm you? If you want to declutter your home but you have no idea where to start and the thought of it makes you want to curl into a fetal ball under your desk……….I’ve been there too.

We live in a small house with five people and three dogs. It is essential that we have a decluttering plan or things get out of control very quickly. I feel your pain! I also know just how painful it can be when you first begin to declutter and everything seems like it might be useful…..or thinking about getting rid of it because it came from someone you love (even when you have no use for it or just plain don’t like it) fills you with stress and guilt.

What about those of us who aim for a minimalist lifestyle but have zero clue what should stay and what should be given up? We long for that clean, streamlined house full of comfort and relaxation, but we worry that it means only half the family will have a seat in the living room when we’re done tossing!

Here’s the good news: Before you get all intense about it, become overwhelmed and paralyzed, and just give up before you start, I have put together a list of 100 things to declutter painlessly. Ok, maybe a twinge or two, but I promise you that if you work through this list you will have so much more breathing room when you’re done that you’ll be inspired to do even more! This is where I started, and you can do it too.

A tip if you’re doing this with people who may try to go through the bags again and undo your work – I’m not talking about normal resistance levels but about living with those who may have hoarding tendencies even if it’s your stuff and not theirs – my friend Ticia suggests white garbage bags for trash and dark opaque ones for items that may cause the problems. And of course, always remove the bags from the house promptly even if you have to hire a neighborhood teenager to let you pile it into their trunk and have them take it to the dump discreetly.

Without further ado, here are your 100 things to declutter painlessly. And, to make your life easier: I have it made up as a printable all ready for email subscribers so you can print it up and check off the items as you go!

You can get this beauty by signing up below for our spam-free newsletters and updates……and as an added bonus you’ll never miss a new post again 🙂





Expired coupons Old credit cards Expired loyalty cards Expired medicines Gifts that you never liked That broken lamp or lampshade you swore you’ll recover but haven’t Dead plants Tax papers over 7 years old Broken toys Unused toys Socks without mates Expired food Homeschool and gardening catalogs more than 6 months old Old birthday and Christmas cards Doubles of any kitchen item The rice cooker, espresso machine, dehydrator, or breadmaker you never use Old music cds and tapes that you never listen to Movies you’ll never watch again Dried out pens and markers Craft projects you will never finish Old flyers Takeout menus “For when I lose the weight” clothing Uncomfortable shoes, even if they look amazing on Wire coat hangers Baby things when you’re done having babies Books you’ll never read again Exercise equipment you bought in a fit of optimism Old magazines Stuff you printed off but never used Kids’ artwork (take a photo first) Kids’ giant projects (ditto) Candles you’ll never light Spices over a year old – make a grocery list for replacements as you chuck them Old glasses cases for long-since-gone glasses Empty planter pots Clothing you never wear Gloves with holes Socks with holes Instruction manuals an warranties for appliances you no longer own Chipped mugs Chipped bowls and plates Chipped glasses More than 2 casserole dishes Mangled or irreparably stained/bent baking sheets Old sheet sets that don’t stay on the corners/fit any beds you own Old calendars (copy important dates to this year’s and then chuck the old ones!) Broken crayons Ancient sneakers Broken umbrellas Another 50 ideas below this image! But while you’re here,please consider pinning and sharing 🙂 Recipe books you haven’t referred to in a year or more Scrapbooking supplies you bought during the big craze Yarn ends and single rolls Broken appliances Half of your basket collection (ok, this might be a little painful 🙂 Picture frames with no pictures in them – I am very guilty of this one! Empty laundry detergent jugs/boxes Old razors Hotel sized toiletries – donate to your local hospital or shelter Half-finished workbooks and activity books Printers that cost a fortune in ink Empty printer ink/toner cartridges Ratty underwear Any item bought for a lifestyle you don’t actually live Travel brochures Old emails Dried out glue Paintbrushes that you never cleaned Freezer-burned food Rotting food in the fridge More than 1 egg carton unless you sell eggs Empty mason jars or other glass jars – use them or recycle them! Makeup over 6 months old Old cell phones and CD players DVD players or VHS players that no longer work Furniture you bought to fix up but never have Empty paint cans Empty cardboard boxes Anything the kids have outgrown; someone else’s kids could really use it Gloves and hats that fit nobody in your house Old paint in a color you don’t use anymore Files on your computer, particularly your desktop Magazine subscriptions Scratchy blankets Email subscriptions you never read Podcast subscriptions you never watch Services like cable TV you don’t need Dead batteries Playlists you never listen to on your iPod or elsewhere Gym memberships you never use Recurring charges Old bills and statements Tupperware without lids Lids without containers Jewellery you have never worn More than 3-5 purses Old grudges Relationships that aren’t working for you anymore or that cause you pain Bottles and cans you thought you were going to turn in for the deposit money This list, after you’ve run through it.

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