How to Stay on Top of Decluttering Weekly, Monthly, and Yearly

Clutter can accumulate in any home, whether large or small. It might start with a messy kitchen counter or a pile of papers on your desk. It's easy to tell yourself you'll deal with it tomorrow, only for tomorrow to keep getting pushed further down the line. Eventually, these small messes build up, turning your home into a source of stress instead of serenity.

Instead of trying to tackle everything at once, break it down into manageable tasks. By assigning specific areas of your home to declutter regularly, you can stay ahead of the mess. So, where should you begin? Here are the top areas that experts suggest you focus on each week, month, and year.

What to Declutter Each Week

Kitchen Counters

We’ve all experienced it. After a busy day, we toss a pile of mail onto the kitchen counter, leave half-empty pizza boxes behind, or pile up reusable grocery bags that need to be put away. In no time, countertops become cluttered, especially in open-concept homes where everything is in view.

Jennifer Jarrett, a professional organizer and the founder of Jenuinely Contained, advises clearing countertops on a weekly basis. 'Any flat surface is a catch-all for clutter,' she says. 'Not sure where to stash that pile of mail you accumulated while out of town? A flat surface. Unsure where to put all the artwork your kids bring home every day? Any flat surface. It’s a quick fix, but if left unchecked, it quickly leads to clutter.'

At the end of every week, Jarrett conducts a walkthrough of her home’s common areas with a 'put-back basket' to gather items that ended up in the wrong places. 'Once the countertops are cleared, I return things to where they belong,' she explains. 'Crumpled wrappers go in the trash, a stray belt heads to the kids' room, lip gloss goes back in my purse, and so on.'

Refrigerator

Jarrett also suggests decluttering your refrigerator weekly. If you do your grocery shopping once a week, it's ideal to clear out the fridge beforehand. Start by discarding anything that's past its prime. Not sure if it's still good? Use this food expiration dates guide to help decide whether to keep or toss those questionable items.

Next, identify any items that aren't expired but need to be used soon. 'Move them to the front of the fridge and incorporate them into your meal plan for the upcoming days,' advises Ashley Murphy, professional organizer and co-founder of NEAT Method. 'Sort the rest into categories and store them in separate drawers, bins, or shelves. Label each section with removable tags to keep everyone in your home organized. And don’t forget to make room for leftovers.'

Junk Mail

In an ideal world, you'd dispose of junk mail immediately after checking your mailbox at the end of the day, but many of us are guilty of letting it stack up. Once a week is a more practical target for most people: Try to sort and recycle your mail, then transition to paperless and digital when possible.

Bags, Purses, and Backpacks

"Take a moment to evaluate what you truly need and treat your purse as an item for essentials, not as a catch-all," advises Ann Lightfoot, co-founder of Done and Done Home. Place necessary items like keys, headphones, and your wallet in a brightly colored pouch so you can easily transfer them when changing bags. Throw away receipts, gum wrappers, and eliminate anything extraneous like old makeup and medications.

Monthly

Pantry

Since pantry items typically have a longer shelf life than refrigerated goods, Jarrett recommends decluttering your pantry once a month. Check for expired or stale products and dispose of them. 'Ensure that all other items are properly sealed,' she suggests. 'Chip clips work great for this. It’s also a good time to ditch those impulse buys that never worked out, like that dill pickle popcorn no one liked, or those baked lentil potato chips that tasted like cardboard.'

Jarrett suggests grouping similar items together—chips with chips, pasta with pasta, nuts with nuts, and so on.

To stay organized and minimize food waste, Murphy recommends using a riser to make canned goods more visible and placing categorized condiments on turntables. 'Clear canisters are ideal for keeping pantry staples at eye level so you can easily track your stock,' Murphy advises. 'Finally, gather the remaining categories into labeled bins and baskets.'

Freezer

Similar to your pantry, frozen foods generally last longer than refrigerated items, so a weekly declutter isn't necessary. However, freezers tend to become dumping grounds for food people don’t want to throw away but also don’t plan to eat. Check your freezer once a month to remind yourself of what's there and needs to be used. Be honest with yourself and dispose of anything you know you'll never eat.

Medicine Cabinet

While you could extend this to every few months (at least every six months), many items in your medicine cabinet have expiration dates. Since expiration dates vary by product, it's best to check everything once a month to ensure it's still good. Also, make sure you're storing the right items in your medicine cabinet, such as your toothbrush and first aid kit, not medications or perfumes.

Car

For some people, cars end up as mobile junkyards! They tend to get cluttered fast. Clean yours out once a month, making sure to get rid of food wrappers and empty bottles. Don’t forget the glove box—it should only hold essential items like your insurance card, registration, and manual. Also, check your trunk. It’s fine to keep some necessary items here, like reusable grocery bags, jumper cables, and a few extra bottles of water.

Yearly

Closet

While the co-founders of NEAT Method suggest seasonally cleaning your closet, Jarrett recommends conducting a thorough closet clean-out once a year. 'For this task, pull everything out. Yes, everything,' Jarrett advises. 'If you have a rolling clothes rack, it can be extremely useful to hang your clothes there while you go through them. If space is limited, you can tackle the task in smaller sections.'

Marissa Hagmeyer, co-founder of NEAT Method, suggests that you should part with any clothes you haven’t worn in the past six months. 'Set them aside for donation,' she recommends. 'This is also the perfect time to get rid of anything that no longer fits, is stained, or has seen better days. If you’re unsure about some items, don’t hesitate to ask a trustworthy friend for their opinion by sending them photos of pieces you’re unsure about.'

Paperwork

Paperwork, including things like credit card statements—if you're still receiving them by mail—should be cleared out at least once a year. 'The time after tax season is perfect for reviewing your files to see if there’s anything you’re keeping unnecessarily,' Hagmeyer advises. 'If you don't have a filing system, we recommend sorting them into categories and using hanging file folders in an office drawer or modular box. Arrange the tabs in a straight line and alphabetize them for easy access.'

Toys

Toys can quickly become a source of clutter and stress, especially if you have young kids. Every time a birthday rolls around, it's a great opportunity to declutter. 'Depending on your child's age, you might involve them in the decision-making process,' says Hagmeyer. 'Set aside any toys that are no longer suitable for their age, or those they haven’t touched in the last four months. Alternatively, gather the toys they rarely play with in a bin and swap them out every few months. If, when you bring the toys back, they show no interest, it’s time to part ways with them.'

Holiday Decorations

Before packing away garlands, ornaments, and menorahs after the holiday season, take a moment to assess what you have. If there are items you haven't used or decorations that are beyond repair, consider letting them go. Once you've sorted through your collection, it's time to choose the right holiday decor storage solutions and start organizing.

Linens

Sheets and towels can pile up over time, often because many people don't know how to handle worn-out items. Separate the towels, sheets, and bedding that are no longer in use. Fold and organize what remains so that it's easy to access. Consider donating the old towels and bedding to a local animal shelter.

Books

For many, parting with books is a challenge. People often develop emotional attachments to certain titles, and for some, books are an essential part of their identity. However, once a year, it's a good idea to reassess your collection. Start by creating three piles: one for the books you want to keep, one for the ones you're willing to donate, and one for books that could be used for styling around the house (those with attractive, colorful spines are great for filling open shelves, even if you don't plan to read them again).

Hold on to anything that carries sentimental value, rare vintage finds, and books that you adore re-reading. If donating a box of your beloved novels feels too detached, you could set up a little free library outside your home. This way, you can share your books with neighbors and fellow book lovers. Plus, you might discover new treasures left by others waiting for you to read.

Cosmetics

Makeup and skincare products have expiration dates too! While most items are good for about a year after opening, there are exceptions. Be sure to check the expiration details using our helpful guide. Get rid of anything you haven't used in months or won't use in the future. If you're reluctant to throw away an expensive item, think about passing it on to a friend or family member.

Cups, Water Bottles, and Mugs

Here's a tip: You don't need a collection of plastic cups, mismatched coffee mugs, and water bottles. If you find a pile of them gathering dust in your kitchen cabinets, it's time to pack them up and donate them to Housing Works.