Find over 200 things to throw away in your home and download a free printable room-by-room declutter checklist. You'll also find a pdf declutter checklist printable for any room/space, as well as a step-by-step decluttering process!

room by room declutter checklist pdf in a notebook.

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Need a little bit of decluttering motivation? I've got just the thing to get a declutter project started for you!

I'm a big believer in breaking a big organizing project down into more achievable, easier parts. That's exactly what we're going to do with today's post. If you're wanting to declutter your home, getting started can be a little overwhelming. Instead of psyching yourself out before you even start, let's break it down into easy-to-achieve mini-sessions and knock it out!

For this home decluttering project, we're going to break it down by room. In the list below, you'll find your whole home broken down into sections (just as I do with my cleaning list template). Decluttering each one of these spaces should take an hour or so. Tackle one room every few days, and you can very easily declutter your whole home in a few weeks!

How to Print Checklists

The files that are linked to the buttons below are in pdf format. Simply click the button to have the pdf file open in a new window. You can either download the templates to your device (with the downward-facing arrow) or print them (with the printer icon).

These are all free printables...no strings attached! Both of these printable pdf pages are formatted to print on 8.5x11" standard printer paper. An at-home printer works just fine - this is the printer I currently use.

You can print as many copies as you'd like for personal use. If you're trying to save paper, some readers like to laminate their meal plan and use a wet-erase marker to reuse these checklists over and over.

Love cleaning? Check out this tutorial on the best way to clean granite countertops, or how to get a great deal on grove cleaning products!

Room by Room Declutter Checklist Printable

room by room declutter checklist page on a pink background.

Before we get to the full list, let's take a look at the pretty printable. I organized the declutter checklist you'll see below into a pdf that's totally free to download. This will allow you to check off items as you tackle them!

Room by Room Declutter List

Below, you'll find over 200 items you can toss throughout your home. These are organized by room - take on a room or two each day! (This is a copy of the pdf you'll download above.)

Kitchen

  • Unused Appliances
  • Used Water Filters
  • Rusty Silverware
  • Expired Spices
  • Leftover Paper Plates/Napkins
  • Chipped Plates/Bowls
  • Expired Pet Treats
  • Old/Unused Pantry Staples
  • Torn/Worn Dish Towels
  • Expired Spices
  • Duplicate Kitchen Utensils
  • Empty/Flat Drink Bottles
  • Cracked/Worn Storage Containers
  • Old Pots & Pans
  • Paper Clutter
  • Old Storage Containers
  • Unused Cookbooks
  • Old Takeout Menus
  • Mismatched Tupperware Lids
  • Empty Cleaning Product Bottles
  • Extra Takeout Condiments/Utensils
  • Unused Shopping Bags
  • Junk Drawer
  • Old Knives
  • Broken Kitchen Gadgets
  • Unused Coffee Mugs
  • Excess Plastic Cups
  • Mismatched Silverware
  • Leftover Ingredients
  • Old Baby Bottles
  • Old Frozen Food

Living Room

  • Empty Candles
  • Dead Flowers
  • Old/Read Magazines
  • Damaged Pet Toys
  • Table Drawers
  • Extra Glass Vases
  • Old Remotes
  • Unused VHS Tapes/DVDs
  • Video Games
  • Gaming Systems
  • Wall Art
  • Coasters
  • Damaged Lamp Shades
  • Chargers
  • Tcochtkes
  • Dead Batteries
  • Flat/Old Pillows
  • Books
  • Unused Decor

Playroom

  • Electronics
  • Chargers
  • Playing Cards
  • Dried Out Play-Doh
  • Action Figures
  • Gaming Systems
  • Gaming Accessories
  • Damaged/Unused Toys
  • Used Coloring Books
  • Empty Paint/Markers
  • Scratched CDs/DVDs
  • Games/Puzzles with Missing Pieces
  • Broken Crayons
  • Posters
  • Play Food
  • Old Dress Up Clothing
  • Extra Stuffed Animals
  • Excess Artwork/School Papers
  • Extra Dolls
  • Doll Clothes/Accessories
  • Mismatched Legos

Bathroom & Linens

  • Expired Medications
  • Excess Sample-Sized Toiletries
  • Old Toothbrushes/Toothpaste
  • Dried/Empty Nail Polish Bottles
  • Empty Toiletries
  • Old Skin Care
  • Damaged/Worn Towels
  • Old Contacts Supplies
  • Nail Files
  • Old Medicine Droppers
  • Empty Hand Soap Bottles
  • Stretched Ponytail Holders
  • Broken Scales
  • Mildewed Shower Curtains
  • Hair Clips
  • Unused Sheets
  • Expired Toiletries
  • Promo Makeup Bags
  • Broken/Unused Hair Appliances
  • Old Makeup
  • Moldy Bath Toys
  • Cleaning Supplies
  • Sunscreen
  • Worn-Out Brushes
  • Old Razors
  • Excess Perfumes/Body Sprays
  • Damaged/Dirty Makeup Sponges

Bedrooms & Closets

  • Unused/Old Linens
  • Empty Tissue Boxes
  • Old Pillows
  • Unidentified Remote Controls
  • Nightstand Drawers
  • Dresser Drawers
  • Jewelry
  • Chargers
  • Scarves
  • Socks/Underwear with Holes
  • Loose Change
  • Damaged Belts
  • Purses
  • Empty Shoe Boxes
  • Unworn Clothing
  • Broken Coat Hangers
  • Socks Without a Pair
  • Magazines
  • Unused Suit Bags
  • Damaged Shoes
  • Leftover Buttons
  • Outgrown Kids' Clothing
  • Stretched/Old Bras
  • Extension Cords

Office/Craft Room

  • Instruction Manuals
  • Old Receipts
  • Junk Mail
  • Scrap Paper
  • Unneeded Paperwork
  • Crumbled/Damaged Paper Products
  • Old Printer Cartridges
  • Old Electronics
  • Almost Empty Wrapping Paper Rolls
  • Dried Out Pens
  • Excess Gift Wrapping Supplies
  • Old Cell Phones/Cases
  • Staples/Staplers
  • Extension Cords
  • Old Stationery
  • Unused Jump/Thumb Drives
  • Unidentified Charging Cables
  • Magazines
  • Used/Empty Notepads
  • Old/Empty Craft Supplies
  • Read Books
  • Tape
  • Old Bills
  • Newspapers
  • Outdated Electronics
  • Post-It Notes
  • Coupons
  • Folders

Outside Areas

  • Broken Toys
  • Rusted Tools
  • Frisbees
  • Potting Soil
  • Car Cleaners
  • Pots & Planters
  • Stadium Cushions
  • Garden Gloves
  • Tools
  • Lawn Chairs
  • Deflated Balls
  • Boots
  • Damaged Play Sets
  • Scrap Building Material
  • Dried-Out Paint Cans
  • Old Sports Equipment
  • Helmets
  • Old Hoses
  • Screws & Nails
  • Chargers
  • Hand Tools
  • Sprinklers
  • Extra Storage Bins
  • Paint Brushes

Laundry Room

  • Detergent
  • Fabric Softener
  • Scent Beads
  • Dryer Sheets
  • Old Rags
  • Laundry Baskets
  • Hangers
  • Old Towels
  • Sponges
  • Machine Cleaner
  • Stain Remover
  • Wrinkle Release
  • Old Irons
  • Fuzz Shavers

Digital

  • Duplicate Pictures
  • Unused Apps
  • Junk Email
  • Watched TV Shows on DVR
  • Items on Computer Desktop
  • Social Media Follows
  • Unneeded Text Messages
  • Old Screenshots/Memes
  • Completed/Unneeded Inbox Emails
  • Old Contacts

Miscellaneous

  • Empty Lighters
  • Unused Reward/Loyalty Program Cards
  • Empty Baby Wipes Boxes
  • Holiday Decor
  • Wreaths/Door Hangers
  • Unused Furniture
  • Beach Supplies
  • Old Calendars
  • Duplicate Holiday Cards
  • Camping Equipment
  • Extra Storage Boxes
  • Luggage
  • Old Pet Supplies
  • Business Cards
  • Expired Coupons/Gift Cards
  • Loose Change

Declutter Any Space in Your Home Checklist Printable

Free printable decluttering checklist in a notebook on a pink desk

With this next printable, you're going to be able to declutter basically any space in your home, from the bedroom to the kitchen. The steps in this printable walk you through the process with a step-by-step format that works incredibly well for me.

I've shared this basic process before on the blog - it's my no-fail, no-fuss decluttering method. It works for any space in the home, from big overwhelming spaces to small corners that just need a good clean-out. Let's take a look at the simple process (in a very condensed checklist):

My Home Decluttering Method

STEP 1: Take it all out.

The best way to clean out a space is to remove everything from that area to give yourself a clean slate. You can organize those items somewhere else; just take them out of the space you're organizing and refill as needed.

  1. Sort into keep/donate/trash piles. Before you fill the space again, make three piles; keep, donate, and trash. Keep will obviously be further sorted and dealt with later, but you can go on and bag/box donate and trash piles (separately).
  2. Consolidate duplicates. You're going to see this the most in the kitchen (says the lady that currently has 3 half-empty bags of tortilla chips in her pantry. 😉). If you have more than one container of an item, consolidate them into the container that expires first. You might also see this in the garage, craft room, or office - anywhere that requires a lot of expendable items!
  3. Group items you'll be keeping. Once trash/donate items are set aside, group like items that you'll be keeping in your space. This is easiest in the kitchen or closet, but can be done in any space you're organizing! Groups can be as general as you'd like; just make sure you don't go too general that you won't be able to maintain the organization after your declutter day is over.

Step 1 is the hardest/most time-consuming part! Once you're done with this, the rest is a piece of cake.

STEP 2: Decide category names for grouped items.

There are so many organization tools, both expensive and cheap, that work. You probably have a ton in your own home - don't feel like you have to go out and buy containers! Shoe boxes, old diaper boxes, glass food jars, and even gallon freezer bags work wonderfully.

I usually go with 5-10 categories in any given area, depending on the size and type of space. Any more than that gets confusing; any less can be too general.

And yes, I've got labeling covered too! I've talked about how to make labels with a Cricut machine and, if you don't have a vinyl cutter, how to make labels a laser printer and packing tape.

STEP 3: Refill grouped/labeled spaces.

Now, simply refill your empty space with your labeled groups!

STEP â…˜: Take out trash and donations.

Yes, do it now - before it can sit in a corner for months. I take out trash immediately (like, that day) from a decluttering project. If it's damaged/old enough to go in the trash pile, there's no coming back from that...let it go.

I put donations in my car as soon as I decide what to donate. Schedule a time that week to drop it off (in many places, you don't even have to get out of your car. Trust me, it's worth the extra 15-30 minutes to offload that clutter.)

And now, you have an organized way to plan out a decluttering session! Here's to a clutter-free home with just a few mini projects.

See more of my home organization posts linked below!

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One Comment

  1. Printables are so helpful. Great job!