Easy Decluttering Tips for Moms

Easy decluttering tips for moms are a game-changer when you’re juggling the chaos of daily life. These simple tricks can help you tackle the mess, create a more organized space, and actually enjoy your home again. When life gets busy, having a few shortcuts like these can make all the difference!

How to declutter when life gets busy is easier when you have a few shortcuts like these tucked inside your back pocket.

When my kids were little and all at home, I felt like I was constantly trying to keep up. They were always on the move, leaving a trail of chaos behind them. It felt like I spent most days just putting out fires, and trust me, my house looked like it too!

It took me years to figure out that keeping a house from turning into a complete disaster doesn’t have to be hard. The truth is, it’s often the simple tips that make the biggest difference. That’s what this guide is all about. We’ve ditched the complicated stuff and focused on easy, practical ideas that actually work without sucking up all your energy.

Even if your home feels like total chaos right now, don’t worry. This list can help you turn things around faster than you think.

Easy Decluttering Tips for Moms

Here are some of my favorite tips to make decluttering feel so much easier. They’ll help you tackle the mess without letting it overwhelm you or take over your whole day.

1. Put Decluttering on Auto-Pilot

Being a mom means most of your time is spent taking care of your kids, which doesn’t leave a whole lot of room for tackling household messes. But if you’re looking for an easier way to deal with clutter that’s been piling up, try setting up a routine you can follow without even thinking about it. I like to call this method “gradual decluttering”, and if you’re new to it, get ready for your life to get a whole lot simpler.

Here’s how it works:

• Put a donation box in any room you want to declutter.
• Label it “DONATION” so everyone knows exactly what it’s for.
• Each day, aim to add five items to that box.

At the end of the month, you’ll have cleared out 150 items from that room without breaking a sweat. It’s such an easy way to tackle clutter without needing to dedicate hours to the process.

2. Use Baskets to Collect Clutter

Baskets are by far my favorite organizing hack, and it’s obvious why—they work almost instantly. They’re perfect for corralling all those random things that somehow end up scattered around your house. Plus, they’re a simple fix for messy spots that need a little extra help.

Here’s how it works:

• Look around and find those areas in your home that always seem to get cluttered.
• Place a basket in those spots to encourage everyone to toss items inside.
• Once the basket gets full, take a few minutes to put some of the items back where they belong.

This trick is so easy to add to your routine. Put a basket on the stairs to collect things that need to go up, or stash a big one in the family room for blankets and pillows.

What’s the best thing about this tip? Baskets aren’t just practical; they can add a bit of style to your room.

Choose ones that fit the space and do the job well. Give it a try and see how much of a difference it makes.

Honey-Can-Do STO-02882 Nesting Banana Leaf Baskets, Multisize, 3-Pack,NaturalGoodpick Woven Storage Basket for Shelves, Cotton Rope Dog Toy Bin, Empty Gift Basket with Handles, Square Baskets for Storage Shelves, Brown and White Storage Bin, 13.5 x 11 x 9.5 InchesCIKI HOME Woven Cotton Rope Storage Basket, Cube Changing Table Organizer for Closet Towels, Baby Nursery Bin, Small Dog Cat Toy Box, Gift Baskets empty (14.5INDRESSME XXXLarge Woven Rope Basket 21ABenkle Small Woven Basket, Mini Cotton Rope Storage Basket, Tiny White Easter Basket, Shelf Basket, Oval Decorative Toy Dog Cat Basket for Nursery, Kids Room, Empty Gift Basket, 9.4ABenkle Baby Diaper Caddy, Nursery Storage Bin and Car Organizer for Diapers Wipes, Cotton Rope Basket Changing Table Caddy

 

3. Use Hangers to Make Decluttering Easier

Deciding which clothes to keep and which to toss can feel overwhelming, right? That’s where the hanger trick comes in handy. It’s a simple way to figure out which clothes you’re actually wearing and which ones are just taking up space.

Here’s how it works:

• After 30 to 45 days, take a look. Any hangers still turned backwards? Those are the clothes you haven’t worn.
• Start by going into your closet and turning all your hangers so they’re backwards on the rod.
• Whenever you wear something, flip its hanger back to the normal direction.

The hanger trick is such a lifesaver when it comes to sorting through your closet. It helps you to see what you routinely wear, so it is easier to let go of clothes you routinely skip over.

And here’s the bonus—it works wonders in your kids’ closets too. No more digging through every dress and shirt to figure out what they’ve outgrown. It’s a simple, stress-free way to keep closets all over your home under control!

Using hangers like this takes the stress out of decluttering and makes those tough decisions a whole lot simpler.

4. Set priorities

Decluttering feels so much easier when you focus on what really needs your attention first. This approach keeps you on track and helps you avoid getting distracted by the rest of the mess in your home.

Here’s how it works:

• Put back the items you’re keeping, and donate or toss what no longer makes the cut.
• Start by choosing one room to work on.
• Make a quick list of what you want to accomplish in that space.
• Set a timer and tackle as much as you can in a short burst of time.

The key is having a simple plan so you can use those little pockets of free time to chip away at the clutter. It’s amazing how much progress you can make with just a little focus and a clear direction.

5. Kid-Friendly Decluttering

Tackling your child’s room can feel like a project all on its own, right? But getting your kids involved in decluttering their space can make a big difference. It helps them understand that having fewer things not only makes their room less messy but also easier to keep neat.

If your child is old enough, encourage them to join in or even take charge of the process.

Here’s how it works:

• Break things down into small batches and use short time blocks to keep them focused.
• Talk about how donating their toys can help kids who don’t have much—it can make giving things away a lot more rewarding for them.
• Use stackable containers with lids to save space, and go for clear boxes (or label them) so they’re easy to identify.
• Sort toys and items into categories for effortless cleanup and quick retrieval later.

6. Use headphones to stay focused

Staying focused is so much easier when you cut out distractions, and headphones can be a total game-changer for getting more done in less time!

Here’s how it works:

• Create a playlist with 5 upbeat songs. That gives you about 20 minutes of dedicated work time while keeping your energy up.
• Pick an audiobook you love and save it for when you’re cleaning or decluttering. It’s a great motivator to keep going, especially if you’re hooked on the story.

Using audio as your distraction helps you stay on track and makes the process way more enjoyable. Give it a try, and see how much more you can get done!

7. Break it Down-Remove the Overwhelm

Tackling a cluttered space like a closet can feel overwhelming, but breaking it down into smaller parts makes it so much easier. This simple approach helps you stay focused and make faster progress!

Here’s how it works:

• Divide the space into four sections.
• Work on just one section at a time, making sure to declutter, clean, and organize it completely before moving on.

By breaking the project into smaller chunks, you’ll feel less stressed and more in control. You don’t have to take on the entire job all at once, and that can make a big project feel so much more doable.

8. Taming Paper Clutter

Paper clutter is one of those things that creeps into every home, no matter how organized you are. But having a system in place for all those papers can instantly make any room look less messy.

Here’s how it works:

• Set up a simple sorting system with labeled boxes for recycling, shredding, and sorting.
• Keep them somewhere handy so it’s easy to add to them whenever you need to.
• Set aside time every few days to gather and sort the papers you have lying around.
• Set up a command center in your home for dealing with papers going forward.

This trick lets you quickly organize without getting stuck trying to find a home for every single piece of paper right away. You’ll see quick results and clear out some clutter without feeling overwhelmed by bigger projects.

More Paper Clutter Tips:

• How to Declutter Paper Piles in Your Home
• How to Organize Bills and Paperwork
• How to Organize Receipts

9. Use Laundry Baskets for Easier Sorting

Laundry baskets are one of my favorite tools for decluttering. They’re easy to carry, can hold way more than you’d expect, and are perfect for sorting through all the stuff you no longer need.

Here’s how it works:

• Grab 3-5 baskets you can dedicate to decluttering projects.
• Label them with categories like Toss, Donate, Keep, and Put Away.
• Keep the baskets stacked together with a few other decluttering supplies so your “decluttering kit” is always ready to go.
• The next time you’re ready to tackle a project, just grab your kit and get started.

This is such an easy way to jump into a new project and start making progress in no time. Having a system like this makes sorting through the clutter so much more manageable.

10. Follow the One In One Out Rule

Have you heard of the One In, One Out rule? It’s such a simple but genius way to keep your closet tidy and stop it from getting overcrowded.

Here’s how it works:

• Every time you buy something new, you remove a similar item from your home.
• You can donate it, sell it, or toss it if it’s seen better days.
• When you’re out shopping, keep this rule in mind. Whatever you bring home, something similar has to go.

It might feel tough at first, especially if you love shopping for your kids, but reminding yourself that this is about quality over quantity can make it easier. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure everything in your home or closet is something you truly love or need.

What Should You Do With Clutter?

Not really into donating everything? No problem! There are plenty of other options you can explore to deal with the stuff taking up extra space.

1. Have a Garage Sale

Hosting a garage sale is not just a great way to clear out stuff you don’t need anymore, like old household items, but it can also be a fun family project!

Here’s how it works:

• Start by sorting through your things and deciding what to sell.
• Price items fairly, keeping their condition and original cost in mind. Think about what you’d pay for them.
• Make sure toys and kids’ clothes are cleaned up before putting them out. Clean items are always more appealing to buyers.
• Organize everything so people can browse easily. Group similar items together and add little signs with price ranges to keep things simple.

While a garage sale can take some effort, it’s a great option if you’re looking to make a bit of extra cash. Plus, it feels amazing to see your stuff go to new homes while you free up space in yours.

2. Reuse old clothes

Looking for a fun and creative hobby? How about giving your unwanted clothes a brand-new purpose! It’s a great way to reduce waste and add a personal touch to your home.

Here’s how it works:

• Turn old clothes into something fresh, like bags or other creative items, while giving the fabric a second life.
• Upcycle outgrown kids’ clothes into quilt patches, pillow covers, or even tote bags.
• Use old blankets or towels for craft projects like making throws, pillows, or even DIY rugs.

These kinds of projects are not only a great way to get creative but also an opportunity to spend quality time with your kids. They’ll love learning about recycling and crafting, and you’ll end up with something practical or decorative for your home.

How often should you declutter your home?

The answer really depends on what works best for you, but a good rule of thumb is to tackle a decluttering project about four times a year, or once each season.

For those high-traffic areas like the kitchen or your home office, it might make sense to tidy up more often. Creating a regular plan for these spaces can help prevent things from piling up and spiraling out of control.

Don’t forget about decluttering your kids’ stuff too! Twice a year is a great schedule to keep up with how quickly their needs and interests change. Doing this before birthdays or the holidays can be especially helpful since those are usually times when new things arrive.

The key is to find a rhythm that fits your family’s lifestyle and stick with it. Staying consistent will make a big difference in keeping your home feeling organized and stress-free.

Decluttering doesn’t have to feel like an uphill battle, especially with these easy decluttering tips for moms. By breaking it down into small steps and focusing on one area at a time, you can make real progress without feeling overwhelmed.

From quick tricks to longer, step-by-step strategies, you now have the tools to clear out the clutter and reclaim your space. Remember, every small step counts! Start wherever you can, and soon your home will feel lighter, more organized, and ready for whatever comes next.

More Easy Decluttering Hacks:

• Home Decluttering Hacks for Messy People
• Best Way to Declutter
• How to Declutter When Your Family Is Messy