The Micro-Decluttering Technique Could Be the Solution to Finally Organizing Your Space and Keeping It That Way

Do you often feel overwhelmed by clutter and find yourself with piles of random items to sort through? You might want to try micro-decluttering, a popular organizing method that's perfect for managing small clutter such as craft supplies, makeup, office papers, and more.

Micro-decluttering can benefit anyone, especially those who struggle with motivation and organization. Although starting with small steps might seem illogical when the problem feels so vast, we consulted several organizing and productivity experts who explained the process and why this method works so well.

What Is Micro-Decluttering and How Does It Differ?

First, there's micro-clutter, the small, scattered items that accumulate around your home (which can eventually turn into macro-clutter if left unchecked). Then, there's micro-decluttering, where you tackle a small section of micro-clutter during a brief 5- to 10-minute session. It could even be as short as 30 seconds of decluttering during your day.

“Unlike large decluttering projects, micro-decluttering can be seen as a small, daily habit that gradually chips away at clutter as it arises,” says decluttering expert Amy Eilers. “Instead of waiting for the clutter to become overwhelming and then trying to declutter a massive amount of items, micro-decluttering involves managing your possessions as you naturally interact with them in everyday life.”

While Eilers encourages micro-decluttering throughout the day, other purposeful methods for dealing with micro-clutter exist. According to productivity expert Amy Tokos, micro-decluttering can involve:

• Organizing a small area, such as a cabinet, drawer, or shelf
• Sorting through one category, such as coffee mugs, cleaning supplies, or makeup
• Removing five items from your home each day
• Setting a timer for 5 to 10 minutes to declutter a specific space

The Advantages of Micro-Decluttering

Some individuals may prefer tackling clutter in larger portions. As Tokos cautions, micro-decluttering can feel slow, “so if you need to experience a significant change to build momentum, micro-decluttering won’t achieve that.” However, when incorporated into your daily routine, there are measurable benefits.

Helps Curb Procrastination

One of the primary benefits of micro-decluttering is that it can be done immediately. “Taking small steps makes the task feel less overwhelming, which reduces the urge to procrastinate,” says Tokos. “It’s easier to carve out 10 minutes than commit to 3 hours.” Moreover, these small actions can lead to significant results. “By donating five items a day, you could remove 150 items from your home in just a month.”

Eilers concurs, believing the most significant advantage of micro-decluttering is the relief from analysis paralysis. “We often avoid starting projects like decluttering because the task seems too overwhelming to tackle.”

Can Evolve into a Daily Routine

Micro-decluttering isn’t just a method of organization; it can transform into a way of life. “By shifting our mindset and allowing small, consistent improvements throughout the day, especially as we naturally encounter them, we can develop the habit of a new lifestyle and simultaneously improve our home,” Eilers says.

Helps Tidy Up Small Miscellaneous Items

Ashley Murphy and Marissa Hagmeyer of NEAT Method describe micro-decluttering, or micro-organizing, as “next level” organization. “It involves placing a broad category into a bin or drawer and then further organizing sub-categories using specialized tools. This differs from traditional organizing practices, where a single category is simply stored in one container.”

For Murphy and Hagmeyer, the main advantage of micro-decluttering is keeping small items from getting lost. “The added organization prevents categories from becoming mixed up and ensures everything remains easily accessible.”

How to Begin Micro-Decluttering Your Trouble Spots

Eilers emphasizes that the first step in micro-decluttering is simply choosing to live differently and identifying moments of progress throughout your day. Here’s how you can cultivate a micro-decluttering habit or address specific problem areas during a short, focused session.

Amy Eilers of House of Eilers

Step 1: Evaluate Your Belongings Throughout the Day

To micro-declutter, make it a habit to ask yourself the right questions every day to set yourself up for organizing. “Each time you enter a space, open a closet, cupboard, or drawer, you encounter the opportunity to evaluate your belongings,” says Eilers.

Eilers suggests asking yourself these questions as you come across items throughout your day. For instance, when you pick up a shirt, only to take it off again to choose another, ask yourself:

• Do I still like this shirt? 
• Does it fit me anymore? 
• Does it suit my current lifestyle?

The same thought process applies when you open the kitchen drawer to grab a spatula.

• Do I have more spatulas than necessary? Are there extra ones gathering dust in my drawer that I never use, which could be donated?

Even taking a moment to open your car's glove box offers a chance to quickly assess its contents. By designating a space for items you wish to discard, you can make decluttering a fast, effortless task without dedicating extra time to it.

Step 2: Place Everyday Items in Their Proper Spots

Eilers follows the motto: Don’t leave it lying around, put it away. This approach helps stop small messes from building up and ensures that decluttered items don’t make their way back into your space. If you're unsure where an item belongs or if you want to keep it, move on to the next step.

Step 3: Create a Designated Area for Outgoing Items

For both timed decluttering sessions and everyday organization, Tokos and Eilers suggest setting up a space for items that need to leave your home, such as a donation box or a designated sell corner. “Keep it simple during this process. For instance: ‘keep or ‘don’t keep.’ Don’t worry about where these items are headed just yet,” advises Tokos. Simply place them in the box or designated area.

Eilers emphasizes the importance of honesty when deciding whether to keep something. “Does this item serve your current self? Are you holding onto it simply because it ended up in your home? Also, always place items you've decluttered directly into the donation box so they’re ready to go next time you're out,” she advises.

Step 4: Organize Micro-Clutter Using Smaller Storage Containers

When using a timer to declutter spaces like a junk drawer, you may find that you need a fresh strategy. Murphy and Hagmeyer prefer to create thoughtful organizational systems for micro-decluttering categories like crafts, electronics, sewing and gardening supplies, tools, and toys. “These categories often contain small items like batteries, pins, and Barbie accessories, which can easily roll around and get lost in the larger bin,” they explain.

Before buying any additional organizing products, measure the larger bin or drawer to make sure it will fit properly. Once you have your measurements, think about whether the sub-categories would be better suited for something like a small canister for structure, or if a flexible zipper pouch would be more suitable,” advise Murphy and Hagmeyer. “Finally, it's useful to add small labels to each sub-category when it’s unclear where items should go.”