Quick & Easy Decluttering: How to Tidy Your Home in 15 Minutes
Spring is right around the corner, and I’m feeling that familiar urge to refresh and reset my space. But let’s be real — between work, life, and being 25 weeks pregnant, I don’t have hours to devote to a full-home deep clean. That’s why I’ve learned to break down my decluttering sessions into quick, manageable 15-minute tasks. It’s all about making it easy, low-stress, and effective — because we don’t need more overwhelm in our lives, right?
If you’ve been feeling like your space is a little chaotic and you’re not sure where to start, this simple 15-minute approach will help you tackle the mess without burning out.
Why 15 Minutes?
Let’s face it — life is busy, and the idea of setting aside a whole day to declutter feels… impossible. But 15 minutes? That feels doable. You’d be surprised how much you can get done in a short burst of focused energy. Plus, setting a timer keeps you from getting lost in the process (because we’ve all gone down the “organizing one drawer turns into cleaning the whole house” rabbit hole).
Step 1: Make a Decluttering Plan
Try my PDF worksheet for decluttering
Start by identifying the spaces in your home that get the most daily use, like the kitchen, closets, laundry room, or entryway. To keep things organized, download my 15-Minute Declutter Checklist or grab a piece of paper. Write down the high-priority areas and list out quick, 15-minute tasks for each space. Once you've listed everything, total up the time needed for each area and jot it down at the top. This helps you see how much time you’ll need to tackle each space and allows you to plan more effectively.
Closet – Go through sweaters, organize shoes, and donate anything unworn.
Kitchen – Clear out expired pantry items, tidy up the spice rack, and wipe down the counters.
Drop Zone – Sort through mail, tidy up bags and shoes, put away anything out of place.
Once you have your list, estimate how much time you’ll need for each task. Keep it realistic — remember, this is about quick wins!
Step 2: Set a Timer and Get Started
When you’re ready to start, set a timer for 15 minutes and focus on just one task. The goal here isn’t perfection — it’s progress. If you only get through half your list, that’s still a win!
Let’s say you’re working on your closet. You’d:
✅ Take everything out.
✅ Wipe down shelves and surfaces.
✅ Quickly sort through items — keep, donate, or toss.
✅ Put back the things you’re keeping in an organized way.
Stick to the timer! The pressure of a countdown helps you stay focused and make faster decisions without overthinking.
Step 3: Use a “Yes, No, Maybe” Pile
The hardest part of decluttering is deciding what stays and what goes. Here’s how I work through it:
Yes – Keep it if you love it, use it regularly, or it serves a clear purpose.
No – Donate or toss if you haven’t used it in the last year, it’s broken, or it doesn’t fit your lifestyle anymore.
Maybe – If you’re unsure, put it in a “maybe” pile. If you don’t touch it in the next few months, it’s time to let it go.
Ask yourself:
Would I buy this again today?
Am I keeping this just in case?
Is this adding value to my life or just taking up space?
Step 4: Create Smaller Checklists
Once you’ve done your initial brain dump and sorted through things, break it down into smaller checklists. If your list says “declutter the kitchen,” make it more specific:
Clean out the fridge
Organize the spice rack
Wipe down counters
Empty the junk drawer
Small wins build momentum, and checking things off a list feels so satisfying!
Step 5: Let Go of Perfection
Perfection isn’t the goal — progress is. If you don’t finish everything on your list, that’s okay. The beauty of this system is that you can pick up where you left off next time you have 15 minutes to spare. Your home doesn’t have to be spotless — it just needs to feel good for you.
How to Maintain It
The key to staying on top of clutter is building simple habits:
Donation Basket: Keep a bag or basket in a closet for things you want to donate. When it’s full, take it to a thrift shop.
Catch-All Basket: Keep a basket in the main living area for random toys, papers, and items that need to be put away.
Quick Maintenance: Once a week, tackle small areas that tend to get messy — the junk drawer, medicine cabinet, or fridge.
Decluttering Doesn’t Have to Be Hard
This method has completely changed how I approach cleaning and organizing. Instead of dreading a big, overwhelming project, I know I can tackle it in small, easy steps. It’s not about achieving some picture-perfect, minimalist dream — it’s about creating a space that feels calm and functional for you.
So set a timer, grab a donation bag, and start small. Trust me — 15 minutes at a time adds up!
